{{Short description|American celebrity tabloid news website}} {{About|the website|the television series|TMZ on TV|other uses}} {{More citations needed|date=April 2021}} {{Use American English|date=March 2026}} {{Use mdy dates|date=January 2019}} {{Infobox website | name = TMZ | logo = TMZLogo.svg | logo_size = 200px | logo_class = skin-invert | caption = Logo of TMZ.com | url = {{URL|tmz.com}} | type of organization = | type = Tabloid journalism | language = English, Spanish | registration = Optional | owner = Fox Corporation | parent = {{ubl |Telepictures (2005–2021) |Fox Entertainment (2021–present) }} | author = {{Plainlist| * Harvey Levin * Jim Paratore<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2012/05/29/jim-paratore-tmz-founder-dies-telepictures-ellen-degeneres/|date=May 29, 2012|title=Jim Paratore, TMZ Founder, Dies at 58|publisher=TMZ|access-date=July 2, 2012|archive-date=July 1, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120701000405/http://www.tmz.com/2012/05/29/jim-paratore-tmz-founder-dies-telepictures-ellen-degeneres|url-status=live}}</ref> }} | editor = Harvey Levin | key_people = Charles Latibeaudiere | launch_date = {{Start date and age|2005|11|8}}<ref name="tmz4years">{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2009/11/08/tmz-pretty-mature-for-a-4-year-old|title=TMZ – Pretty Mature for a 4-Year-Old|publisher=TMZ|date=November 8, 2009|access-date=November 25, 2009|archive-date=November 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091111202801/http://www.tmz.com/2009/11/08/tmz-pretty-mature-for-a-4-year-old/|url-status=live}}</ref> | commercial = Yes | current_status = Active }}
'''TMZ''' is an American entertainment-focused tabloid news organization owned by Fox Corporation. It made its debut on November 8, 2005, as a collaboration between AOL and Telepictures, a division of Warner Bros.,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.newsweek.com/id/46680|date=August 1, 2006|title=Newsweek, What's a TMZ? |work=Newsweek |access-date=November 25, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080109125759/http://www.newsweek.com/id/46680|archive-date=January 9, 2008|url-status=dead}}</ref> until Time Warner divested AOL in 2009. On September 13, 2021, Fox Corporation acquired TMZ from WarnerMedia for $50 million.<ref name="Reuters">{{cite web|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN2FB23N|date=August 10, 2021|title=WarnerMedia in talks to sell its tabloid TMZ to Fox – The Information|work=Reuters|access-date=August 10, 2021|archive-date=November 22, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211122183344/https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSKBN2FB23N|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://edition.cnn.com/2021/09/13/media/tmz-sold-fox-entertainment/index.html|date=September 13, 2021|title=TMZ sold to Fox Entertainment|work=CNN Business|access-date=September 13, 2021|archive-date=September 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210913205143/https://edition.cnn.com/2021/09/13/media/tmz-sold-fox-entertainment/index.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
The name "TMZ" is derived from the initialism for "thirty-mile zone" that was historically used in the film and television industry to refer to the so-called "studio zone"—an area with a {{Convert|30|mi|adj=mid}} radius centered on the intersection of Beverly Boulevard and La Cienega Boulevard in Los Angeles, California. It was called the studio zone because of the number of film and television studios within it. TMZ's founder and managing editor is Harvey Levin, a lawyer-turned-journalist who was previously a legal expert for the Los Angeles television station KCBS-TV.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.askmen.com/specials/2008_top_49/harvey-levin-32.html|url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090322072511/http://www.askmen.com/specials/2008_top_49/harvey-levin-32.html |archive-date=March 22, 2009 |title=Harvey Levin Top 49 2008|access-date=April 5, 2015}}</ref>
==Development== Three months before TMZ's official launch, America Online (AOL) had indicated its intention to create a Hollywood and entertainment-focused news site in collaboration with Telepictures Productions. During this pre-launch period, AOL expressed interest in establishing a website with a primary emphasis on celebrities. Upon the site's official launch, AOL confirmed that it would predominantly showcase Hollywood gossip, encompassing interviews, photos, and video content featuring celebrities. Additionally, the platform would provide information related to industry news, covering movies, television shows, and more.<ref>{{Citation needed|date=May 2026}}</ref>
The site was described as "an effort to further feed the current American obsession with celebrities". Mike Shields of MediaWeek.com wrote, "the site also boasts of an expansive collection of archived star photos and videos", allowing fans to "trace changing hairlines and waistlines of their favorites performers over the years".<ref name="mediaweek">{{cite web|url=http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001656883|date=December 5, 2005|title=AOL-Time Warner Launches TMZ.com|first=Mike |last= Shields|website=MediaWeek|access-date=November 29, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060219061419/http://www.mediaweek.com/mw/news/recent_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1001656883|archive-date=February 19, 2006|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In March 2026, ''The New York Times'' saluted the website's newfound "name-and-shame political coverage",<ref>{{cite news |last=Edmondson|first=Catie |date=March 21, 2026 |title=TMZ Sics Its Tipsters on a New Breed of Celebrity Villain: Members of Congress|url-access=subscription |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/31/us/politics/tmz-congress.html |work=The New York Times|access-date=April 27, 2026|quote=The tabloid has been publishing photographs of [American politicians] living it up around the country.}}</ref> while, in April 2026, ''The New Yorker'''s Paula Mejía wrote that TMZ had begun to engage in political reportage.<ref name=yorker>{{cite news |last=Mejía |first=Paula |date=April 15, 2026 |title=TMZ Gets Political|url=https://www.newyorker.com/culture/the-lede/tmz-gets-political|url-access=subscription |work=The New Yorker|access-date=April 27, 2026|quote=The celebrity tabloid has been basking in the ''Schadenfreude'' of catching politicians asleep on the job.}}</ref>
==Company synopsis==
[[File:Victory Studios.jpg|thumb|250px|Victory Studios in Glendale, California (pictured here in 2007), where TMZ launched. TMZ later relocated to Sunset Blvd, Los Angeles. Since April 2013, TMZ is located in Playa Vista, California.<ref>{{cite news|last=Miller|first=Daniel|title=TMZ to Exit West Hollywood Headquarters for New Westside Office|work=The Hollywood Reporter|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tmz-west-hollywood-headquarters-real-estate-294682|access-date=April 19, 2013|archive-date=May 18, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130518052229/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tmz-west-hollywood-headquarters-real-estate-294682|url-status=live}}</ref>]] Since 2005, TMZ has signed New Line Cinema, Hilton Hotels, Chrysler, and Revlon as charter advertisers to its website.<ref name="mediaweek" /> ''The New York Times'' called TMZ "one of the most successful online ventures of the last few years."<ref name="nytimes" /> In October 2008, the ''New York Times'' reported that TMZ, at the time, was receiving more than 10 million viewers every month.<ref name="nytimes">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/26/business/media/26steal.html?scp=2&sq=TMZ&st=cse|first=Michael|last=Cieply|title=A Star Watcher Has Star Power|newspaper=The New York Times|date=October 25, 2008|access-date=November 29, 2009|archive-date=December 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211223183750/https://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/26/business/media/26steal.html?scp=2&sq=TMZ&st=cse|url-status=live}}</ref>
Levin has acknowledged that TMZ has passed on multiple notable stories because he felt that, while the stories were true, he questioned how the sources obtained their information.<ref name="nytimes"/> He has acknowledged that TMZ pays sources, but in the form of a "tip fee". Levin has said that TMZ pays for photos and for "tips" or leads on stories, and that the sources and tips are verified before being used or reported.<ref name="paysources">{{cite web |author=<!--Not stated--> |author-link=CNN |date=August 2, 2009 |title=CNN's Reliable Sources 8/2/2009 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EExe2QvfRac&feature=player_embedded# |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131017180257/http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EExe2QvfRac&feature=player_embedded |archive-date=2013-10-17 |access-date=November 29, 2009 |work=YouTube}}</ref>
In November 2009, TMZ's revenue was publicly disclosed for the first time.<ref name="revenue1"/> Telepictures (which operates TMZ) wrote: "Subject to certain performance adjustments and the reimbursement of expenses, revenues are split evenly between the parties [...] Telepictures received payments of {{USD}}6.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, and {{USD}}12.7 million, {{USD}}9.6 million and {{USD}}3.0 million in 2008, 2007 and 2006, respectively."<ref name="revenue1"/> Based on released figures, TMZ's revenues for 2008 was {{USD}}25.4 million and it was projected to have less revenue in 2009, with revenue of $12.4 million in first three quarters of the year—unlike the previous year, which was within the {{USD}}15 million range.<ref name="revenue1">{{cite web|url=http://paidcontent.org/article/419-with-aol-spinoff-tmz-to-move-to-time-warnertelepictures-as-expected-25m |title=With AOL Spinoff, TMZ To Move To Time Warner/Telepictures, As Expected; $25M 2008 |website=PaidContent.org |first=Rafat |last=Ali |date=November 16, 2009 |access-date=November 29, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091119033956/http://paidcontent.org/article/419-with-aol-spinoff-tmz-to-move-to-time-warnertelepictures-as-expected-25m/ |archive-date=November 19, 2009 }}</ref>
On May 29, 2012, co-founder Jim Paratore died of a heart attack during a cycling trip in France. Paratore was known for his work in television production, producing several daytime and syndicated programs, particularly while serving as an executive at Telepictures (which co-produced the website's companion syndicated television series).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Carter |first=Bill |date=2012-06-01 |title=Jim Paratore, Co-Creator of TMZ, Dies at 58 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/01/business/media/jim-paratore-58-co-creator-of-tmz-dies.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160608074215/http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/01/business/media/jim-paratore-58-co-creator-of-tmz-dies.html |archive-date=2016-06-08 |access-date=2026-04-08 |work=The New York Times |language=en-US |issn=0362-4331}}</ref>
==Legal issues== ===Contempt-of-court motion=== On June 20, 2007, a court-appointed bankruptcy trustee filed an emergency motion<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0620071oj3.html |title=Contempt of Court filing against TMZ regarding ''If I Did It'' |date=June 20, 2007 |website=The Smoking Gun|access-date=November 25, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090306015509/http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0620071oj3.html |archive-date=March 6, 2009 }}</ref> requesting that the TMZ website be held in contempt for publishing the entire manuscript of ''If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer'', O. J. Simpson's purportedly fictionalized account of the murder of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson.<ref name="ojlawsuit">{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0620071oj1.html|title=A Contemptuous Act?|date=June 20, 2007|website=TheSmokingGun.com|access-date=November 25, 2009|archive-date=December 31, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081231103317/http://www.thesmokinggun.com/archive/years/2007/0620071oj1.html|url-status=live}}</ref>
The filing claimed TMZ's posting of the PDF of the entire book "diminished or destroyed" its value. <!-- Any follow up or result?? -->
===Photographer altercation=== While actor Woody Harrelson was at New York City's LaGuardia Airport, he had an altercation with a TMZ photographer.<ref name="paps09"/> Harrelson defended himself, stating that at the time he had just finished filming his scenes in the horror film ''Zombieland'' and that he was "startled" by the photographer. "I wrapped a movie called ''Zombieland'', in which I was constantly under assault by zombies, then flew to New York, still very much in character [...] With my daughter at the airport I was startled by a paparazzo, who I quite understandably mistook for a zombie."<ref name="paps09">{{cite news|url=http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/celebrities/2009/05/12/9429036-sun.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090515103010/http://www.torontosun.com/entertainment/celebrities/2009/05/12/9429036-sun.html|archive-date=May 15, 2009|newspaper=TorontoSun.com|first= Thane |last= Burnett|title=Caught on camera|date=May 12, 2009|access-date=November 26, 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
===Temporary block in the UK=== On December 24, 2010, the gossip blog "Oh No They Didn't" reported that TMZ began blocking traffic from the UK, displaying the message: "Due to laws within your region, you are unable to view this website." Asked for comment, TMZ said the blocking was due to "legal restrictions" related to English defamation law.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/54584680.html |title=TMZ blocks visitors in UK |work=Oh No They Didn't |access-date=December 30, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101227103818/http://community.livejournal.com/ohnotheydidnt/54584680.html |archive-date=December 27, 2010 }}</ref> The UK website "Popbitch Board" noted on December 31, 2010, that it is possible to get around the block by accessing the website through the Google Translate website. {{As of|2026|3|25|df=US}}, TMZ is accessible in the UK.<ref>{{cite tweet|user=HarveyLevinTMZ|number=23516411561246720|title=Hey UK ... TMZ IS BACK!!!!!!! |date=2011-01-07}}</ref>
==Branches== ===''TMZ Live''=== ''TMZ Live'' is a live-chat program from TMZ that features Levin and fellow TMZ executive producer Charles Latibeaudiere, and occasionally, TMZ Sports' host and executive producer, Michael Babcock, filling in for one or both hosts.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}} Other TMZ staffers (mainly those who regularly appear on ''TMZ on TV'') also appear on the broadcast as contributors to provide additional outlines of stories and to provide opinion. The live webcast takes place at the TMZ offices in Los Angeles,<ref name="tmzsetting">Harvey Levin confirmed, during a TMZ live chat, that the live chat takes place in TMZ's office.</ref> and is broadcast on TMZ.com Monday through Fridays from approximately 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time (the length varies depending on the featured segments).
The ''TMZ Live'' television and Internet programs review stories that TMZ is covering on the website, and sometimes feature live interviews (most conducted through webcam conferencing) and viewer opinions via Twitter, telephone, and video chat (including Skype). In addition, the program features regular segments toward the end of each edition. "Viewer's Choice" is the penultimate segment and features viewer questions or comments about stories featured in the broadcast, with additional commentary or analysis by the hosts. In "Hate Mail," featured on the Wednesday edition of the webcast (the Thursday edition on the television broadcast), critical emails and letters sent by viewers (some of which feature potshots at Levin or Latibeaudiere) are read by the hosts.
In "Tim's Rejects," featured on the Thursday edition of the webcast (the Friday edition on the television broadcast), staffer Tim Nowak presents three offbeat news stories (that are not entertainment or sports-related), which are critiqued by the hosts. In "The Loser's Circle," featured on the Friday edition of the webcast (the Monday edition on the television broadcast) since February 2015, Levin, Latibeaudiere, and ''TMZ on TV'' executive producer Evan Rosenblum judge a clip from a TMZ videographer originally rejected by Levin for TMZ.com or for broadcast on ''TMZ on TV'' by post-production supervisor Chad Weiser following its initial pitch. "Tim's Rejects" and "Hate Mail" aired as the last segments of their respective editions until April 2015, when they were shifted to the block preceding that occupied by the "Viewer's Choice" segment (at which point, all three segments as well as "The Loser's Circle" began to be followed by a story segment).
In March 2012, Fox Television Stations tested a syndicated broadcast of ''TMZ Live'' (an hour-long edited version of the live webcast broadcast on a one-day delay from its original tape date, with segments aired in a different order, mainly due to live interviews that require the segment to be shown out of order on the webcast for various reasons) on its television stations in Los Angeles and Phoenix. In June 2012, SiriusXM Radio announced that the show would be aired daily on its Sirius XM Stars channel. In October of that year, the television show was expanded to seven markets, adding Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit and Minneapolis. On September 9, 2013, ''TMZ Live'' began airing on all 18 Fox owned-and-operated stations.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2013/09/09/lamar-odom-roommate-polina-polonsky-saw-crack-use-khloe-kardashian/|title=Lamar Odom 'Roommate' Says ... I Saw Him Do Crack|date=September 9, 2013|website=TMZ|access-date=September 9, 2013|archive-date=September 10, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130910163918/http://www.tmz.com/2013/09/09/lamar-odom-roommate-polina-polonsky-saw-crack-use-khloe-kardashian/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.adweek.com/tvspy/fox-adds-tmz-live-to-all-its-owned-stations/|title=FOX Adds 'TMZ Live' To All Its Owned Stations|last=Eck|first=Kevin|date=August 12, 2013|website=Mediabistro.com|access-date=September 9, 2013|archive-date=August 26, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130826014006/http://www.mediabistro.com/tvspy/fox-adds-tmz-live-to-all-its-owned-stations_b100260|url-status=live}}</ref> The program began to be syndicated to stations outside of the Fox Television Stations group in the spring of 2014.
===''TMZ on TV''=== {{main|TMZ on TV|l1=''TMZ on TV''}} On September 10, 2007, TMZ launched an accompanying television series, ''TMZ on TV''.<ref name="tmzontv3">{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2007/scene/markets-festivals/tmz-tv-debuts-strong-despite-falter-1117972127/|date=September 17, 2007|title='TMZ' TV debuts strong despite falter|work=Variety|first=Jon|last=Dempsey|access-date=November 28, 2009|archive-date=February 18, 2008|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080218013304/http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117972127.html?categoryid=14&cs=1&nid=2562|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="tmzontvnydailynews">{{cite news|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2007/09/11/2007-09-11_on_tmz_on_tv_beware_snark_attack.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071117175345/http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv/2007/09/11/2007-09-11_on_tmz_on_tv_beware_snark_attack.html|archive-date=November 17, 2007|work=The New York Daily News|title=On 'TMZ on TV,' beware snark attack|first= David |last= Bianculli|date=September 11, 2007|access-date=November 28, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://archive.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2007/09/14/tmz_on_tv_its_et_without_tlc/|title='TMZ' on TV? It's 'ET' without TLC.|work=Boston.com|first=Matthew|last=Gilbert|date=September 14, 2007|access-date=November 28, 2009|archive-date=March 11, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140311005332/http://www.boston.com/ae/tv/articles/2007/09/14/tmz_on_tv_its_et_without_tlc/|url-status=live}}</ref> The syndicated television program airs Monday through Fridays.{{citation needed|date=June 2020}}
In the United States, the show airs in various timeslots on stations of varying network affiliation (primarily on Fox stations), mainly either in early primetime or after late local newscasts, with an hour-long 'best-of' program compiling select stories from the weekday broadcasts airing on weekends.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://television.aol.com/show/tmz/1291372/upcoming |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071017015142/http://television.aol.com/show/tmz/1291372/upcoming |archive-date=October 17, 2007 |url-status=dead|date=September 10, 2007|title=TMZ When It's On|work=AOL.com|access-date=November 28, 2009}}</ref> The show covers stories similar to those found on the website and ''TMZ Live'', with the main difference being that ''TMZ on TV'' largely delivers its stories in a humorous manner whereas a mix of humorous and serious news stories appear on the website and companion web/television series. TMZ lets viewers see the two most recent episodes of the program on TMZ.com after the episode's original airdate (being available for viewing for two days after the broadcast on weekdays and three days after the original broadcast on weekends).<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/tmztv|title=TMZ On TV|website=TMZ|access-date=November 28, 2009|archive-date=November 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091126083713/http://www.tmz.com/tmztv|url-status=live}}</ref>
Chris Persell, of TVWeek.com, called the show a "complement [to] the website, with news updates added to later airings of the show".<ref name="tmzontv"/> Levin and Jim Paratore served as executive producers to the show, and the on-air cast originally included Teresa Strasser, John Fugelsang, Ben Mankiewicz, and Michael Hundgen.<ref name="tmzontv">{{cite web|url=http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/blink/2007/08/talent_lineup_unveiled_for_tel.php |title=Talent Lineup Unveiled for Telepictures' 'TMZ' |first=Chris |last=Pursell |website=TVWeek.com |date=August 12, 2007 |access-date=November 28, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090619161802/http://www.tvweek.com/blogs/blink/2007/08/talent_lineup_unveiled_for_tel.php |archive-date=June 19, 2009 }}</ref> David Bianculli of ''The New York Daily News'' strongly criticized the television show, its topics, and what he sees as its reporters' tactics and lack of professionalism.<ref name="tmzontvnydailynews"/>
===''Dax Chat''=== ''Dax Chat'' is a live chat program on Ustream hosted by TMZ clip clearance producer Dax Holt. In the broadcasts, Holt talks to "Chizzlers" about celebrity gossip and articles on the TMZ website.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ustream.tv/tmzdaxchat|title=Dax Chat, Ustream.TV: Chat here live with Dax Holt from TMZ Monday-Friday at 1pm PST/4pm ET. Overig amusement|website=Ustream.tv|access-date=January 25, 2013|archive-date=January 23, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130123154533/http://www.ustream.tv/tmzdaxchat|url-status=live}}</ref>
===''TMZ Sports''=== As early as 2009, Levin was rumored to be interested in creating a TMZ-branded sports site.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mediaite.com/online/tmz-to-launch-all-sports-site-not-because-of-tiger/|title=TMZ To Launch All-Sports Site (Not Just Because Of Tiger)|work=Mediaite|date=December 22, 2009|access-date=March 29, 2017|first=Glenn|last=Davis|archive-date=August 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230806202405/https://www.mediaite.com/online/tmz-to-launch-all-sports-site-not-because-of-tiger/|url-status=live}}</ref> The site was initially expected to launch in March 2010 but those plans did not see fruition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://deadspin.com/5458770/tmz-sports-to-reveal-itself-come-springtime|title=TMZ Sports To Reveal Itself Come Springtime|work=Deadspin|publisher=Gawker Media|date=January 28, 2010|access-date=March 29, 2017|first=A.J.|last=Daulerio|archive-date=March 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330002812/http://deadspin.com/5458770/tmz-sports-to-reveal-itself-come-springtime|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://deadspin.com/5780187/tmz-sports-is-dead-long-live-tmz-sports|title=TMZ Sports Is Dead, Long Live TMZ Sports|work=Deadspin|publisher=Gawker Media|date=March 9, 2011|access-date=March 29, 2017|first=Jack|last=Dickley|archive-date=March 29, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170329232932/http://deadspin.com/5780187/tmz-sports-is-dead-long-live-tmz-sports|url-status=live}}</ref> It eventually launched as a branded section on the main TMZ website in June 2013.<ref name="deadline tmz sports">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/09/tmz-hollywood-sports-series-reelz-primetime-835867/|title='TMZ Hollywood Sports' To Anchor Reelz Primetime|website=Deadline Hollywood|publisher=Penske Media Corporation|date=September 17, 2014|access-date=March 29, 2017|archive-date=March 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330000253/http://deadline.com/2014/09/tmz-hollywood-sports-series-reelz-primetime-835867/|url-status=live}}</ref> Premiere Networks launched a daily ''TMZ Sports'' radio show in October 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mediaconfidential.blogspot.ca/2013/10/premiere-launches-tmz-sports-show.html|title=Premiere Launches TMZ Sports Radio Show|date=October 30, 2013|access-date=March 3, 2017|archive-date=March 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330012147/http://mediaconfidential.blogspot.ca/2013/10/premiere-launches-tmz-sports-show.html|url-status=live}}</ref> A television show began testmarketing on select regional Fox stations in January 2014.<ref name="deadline tmz sports" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YgPchdqR6Y |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/5YgPchdqR6Y |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|title=TMZ Sports Is Now On TV!|date=January 13, 2014|access-date=March 29, 2017|work=TMZ}}{{cbignore}}</ref> It then aired during the 2014/2015 seasons on Reelz under the name ''TMZ Hollywood Sports''.<ref name="deadline tmz sports" /> On November 9, 2015, the series reverted to being known as ''TMZ Sports'' and moved to Fox Sports 1.<ref>{{cite web|first=Kate|last=Stanhope|title='TMZ Sports' News Show to Launch on Fox Sports|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tmz-sports-news-show-launch-836096|date=November 2, 2015|access-date=March 29, 2017|work=The Hollywood Reporter|archive-date=March 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170330005028/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/tmz-sports-news-show-launch-836096|url-status=live}}</ref> ''TMZ Sports'' is co-hosted by TMZ Sports Executive Producer Michael Babcock, WNBA player Renee Montgomery, and former WWE Superstar and NFL player, Mojo Muhtadi.
===''TMZ France''=== TMZ France was created on December 18, 2012.{{cn|date=October 2022}}
=== TMZ DC === In April 2026 TMZ launched a Washington DC bureau with a focus on coverage on U.S. lawmakers and political officials.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Espinoza |first=Tristan |date=2026-04-13 |title=TMZ Is Officially in DC—Wait, What? - Washingtonian |url=https://washingtonian.com/2026/04/13/tmz-is-officially-in-dc-wait-what/ |access-date=2026-04-14 |language=en-US}}</ref>
==Criticism== Since its launch, the TMZ website has faced criticism, varying from attempted boycotts to criticism of its journalistic tactics and its focus. It has been criticized for using photographs and videos obtained by paparazzi.<ref name="paps09"/><ref name="cornellsun"/><ref name="abcnews"/> Some have questioned the effect that aggressive and obtrusive photographers have on the subjects they cover.<ref name="abcnews"/> Many of the videos on the site show, in the footage, that their paparazzi chase people (mainly celebrities)—a practice that has been called dangerous<ref name="abcnews"/> and "creepy".<ref name="cornellsun">{{cite web|url=http://cornellsun.com/node/24490 |title=I want my TMZ |work=CornellSun.com |date=September 16, 2007 |first=Tony |last=Manfred |access-date=November 26, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071008222235/http://cornellsun.com/node/24490 |archive-date=October 8, 2007 }}</ref> Over the years, some have called for a boycott of TMZ and the accompanying show.<ref>{{cite web |last=Nguyen |first=Katherine |date=January 21, 2007 |title=On Paparazzi Patrol With TMZ.com |url=https://www.ocregister.com/2007/01/21/on-paparazzi-patrol-with-tmz/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080615142459/http://www.ocregister.com/ocregister/entertainment/homepage/article_1549705.php |archive-date=June 15, 2008 |access-date=December 2, 2009 |work=The Orange County Register}}</ref>
TMZ has also faced internal criticism due to Harvey Levin's support for Donald Trump in the run-up to the 2016 United States presidential election.<ref>{{cite news |last=Cartwright |first=Lachlan |date=14 July 2019 |title=TMZ Goes MAGA: How Harvey Levin's Gossip Empire Became Trump's Best Friend |url=https://www.thedailybeast.com/tmz-goes-maga-how-harvey-levins-gossip-empire-became-trumps-best-friend |work=The Daily Beast |access-date=8 October 2020 |archive-date=September 28, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200928211659/https://www.thedailybeast.com/tmz-goes-maga-how-harvey-levins-gossip-empire-became-trumps-best-friend |url-status=live }}</ref> By 2020, dozens of former TMZ employees had spoken to the media about a racist and misogynistic workplace culture that TMZ's internal leadership was unwilling to change.<ref>{{cite news |last=Yandoli |first=Krystie Lee |date=8 September 2020 |title=TMZ's Newsroom Is A Hotbed For Racism, Misogyny, And Verbal Abuse, Ex-Employees Say |url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/krystieyandoli/tmz-employees-alllegations |work=BuzzFeed News |access-date=8 October 2020 |archive-date=October 3, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201003171147/https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/krystieyandoli/tmz-employees-alllegations |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Reporting of suicide details === After the July 2017 suicide of Linkin Park lead vocalist Chester Bennington, TMZ reported that he had attempted to drown himself nine months earlier. This information had been redacted from the Los Angeles County Coroner's report at the request of a lawyer representing Bennington's widow, Talinda, who responded with criticism of the Los Angeles County Coroner's office for disclosing the information to TMZ, and of TMZ itself. She concluded a Twitter tirade with the hashtag "#FuckyouTMZ".<ref name=":2">{{cite web|title=CHESTER BENNINGTON's Widow Blasts Coroner, TMZ For 'Dramatizing' And 'Sensationalizing' Previous Suicide Attempt|url=http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/chester-benningtons-widow-blasts-coroner-tmz-for-dramatizing-and-sensationalizing-previous-suicide-attempt/|website=Blabbermouth.net|date=December 6, 2017|access-date=May 14, 2018|archive-date=June 20, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180620153220/http://www.blabbermouth.net/news/chester-benningtons-widow-blasts-coroner-tmz-for-dramatizing-and-sensationalizing-previous-suicide-attempt/|url-status=live}}</ref>
In May 2018, TMZ reported intimate details of the April suicide of Swedish DJ Avicii with the headline "Avicii's suicide caused by self-inflicted cuts from glass".<ref>{{cite web|author=Alison Millington|date=May 1, 2018|title=Avicii took his own life by cutting himself, according to a graphic report by TMZ|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/avicii-reportedly-killed-himself-with-broken-glass-2018-5|work=Business Insider|access-date=November 15, 2021|archive-date=April 12, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230412000016/https://www.businessinsider.com/avicii-reportedly-killed-himself-with-broken-glass-2018-5|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=1 May 2018|title=Avicii's Suicide Caused by Self-Inflicted Cuts from Glass|url=https://www.tmz.com/2018/05/01/avicii-dj-suicide-glass-cut-bottle-death/|url-status=live|access-date=October 15, 2021|publisher=TMZ|archive-date=November 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181130100603/http://www.tmz.com/2018/05/01/avicii-dj-suicide-glass-cut-bottle-death/}}</ref> Jennifer Michael Hecht, writing for ''Vox'', criticized TMZ's reporting as sensationalist and going against the CDC's recommended guidelines for reporting suicides, which include not mentioning the method of suicide.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|last=Hecht|first=Jennifer Michael|date=May 5, 2018|title=How the media covers celebrity suicides can have life-or-death consequences|url=https://www.vox.com/first-person/2018/5/5/17319632/anthony-bourdain-kate-spade-cause-of-death-suicide-celebrities-reporting|url-status=live|access-date=April 25, 2021|website=Vox|archive-date=February 27, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227003304/https://www.vox.com/first-person/2018/5/5/17319632/anthony-bourdain-kate-spade-cause-of-death-suicide-celebrities-reporting}}</ref> Talinda Bennington also reacted unfavorably, urging people not to "click on the TMZ article or any other about the private details of Avicii's passing", adding, "This is how [we] can stop [filthy TMZ]."<ref>{{cite magazine|last1=Trendell|first1=Andrew|title=Chester Bennington's widow hits out at TMZ for reporting details of Avicii's death|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/chester-benningtons-widow-hits-tmz-reporting-details-aviciis-death-suicide-2307567|access-date=May 14, 2018|magazine=NME|date=May 3, 2018|archive-date=May 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180514065252/http://www.nme.com/news/music/chester-benningtons-widow-hits-tmz-reporting-details-aviciis-death-suicide-2307567|url-status=live}}</ref>
=== Stolen Indiana Jones items === TMZ faced strong criticism for purchasing stolen items pertaining to ''Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull''.<ref name="mcn1"/> On October 2, 2007, IESB reported that a number of production photos and sensitive documents pertaining to the production budget had been stolen from Steven Spielberg's production office.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3390&Itemid=99|title=Indiana Jones and the Secret of the Stolen Set Photos!|date=October 2, 2009|website=IESB.com|access-date=November 28, 2009|archive-date=February 11, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090211054532/http://www.iesb.net/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3390&Itemid=99|url-status=live}}</ref>
''Movie City News'', which strongly criticized TMZ for purchasing stolen items, remarked that the then-new website "wasn't getting off to a good start".<ref name="mcn1" /> According to IESB, TMZ had obtained some of the stolen property and was planning on running a story about the topic on its TV show, until the lawyers of the film's production company, Paramount Pictures, intervened. Shortly after IESB broke the story, TMZ broadcast details about the ''Indiana Jones'' production budget on its show on October 3, 2007.<ref name="mcn1">{{cite web|url=http://www.mcnblogs.com/thehotblog/archives/2007/10/when_it_gets_in_1.html |title=When It Gets Interesting |work=Movie City News|date=October 3, 2007 |access-date=November 28, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227081414/http://www.mcnblogs.com/thehotblog/archives/2007/10/when_it_gets_in_1.html |archive-date=February 27, 2009 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|website=Mcn.com |date=October 4, 2007 |title=Why Won't They Tell The Indy IV Theft Story Accurately? |url=http://www.mcnblogs.com/thehotblog/archives/2007/10/why_wont_they_t.html |access-date=November 28, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227074616/http://www.mcnblogs.com/thehotblog/archives/2007/10/why_wont_they_t.html |archive-date=February 27, 2009 }}</ref>
=== Story-gathering tactics === Tony Manfred of ''The Cornell Daily Sun'' criticized TMZ in a September 2007 article titled "I Want My TMZ", calling TMZ "a fusion of celebrity news blog and embarrassing video archive" and saying he felt the website had become "the poster child for the celebrity pseudo-news industry" and that the site has "distinct advantages" over "gossip magazines" because it can "show all the borderline pornographic clips that ''Entertainment Tonight'' and ''Access Hollywood'' can't."<ref name="cornellsun" />
Jennifer Metz and David Muir of ABC News acknowledged that TMZ has long been criticized for its "aggressive tactics, antagonizing stars with video cameras" and noted that those "encounters, capturing at times violent celebrity confrontations with photographers, receive hundreds of hits online, and critics ask if entertainment reporters are crossing the line." Metz and Muir questioned whether TMZ's tactics "go too far".<ref name="abcnews">{{cite web|url=https://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=7946859&page=1|first1=Jennifer|last1=Metz|first2=David|last2=Muir|date=June 27, 2009|title=TMZ Ahead of the Curve, but Do Tactics Go Too Far?|website=ABC News|access-date=December 2, 2009|archive-date=October 26, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091026224236/http://abcnews.go.com/Entertainment/story?id=7946859&page=1|url-status=live|author-link2=David Muir}}</ref>
Ken Sunshine, publicist for Ben Affleck and Leonardo DiCaprio, said his clients disliked the website because of its tendency to be critical of celebrities. "I hate that they have anything to do with trying to put celebrities into the worst light possible and that they play the 'gotcha' game".<ref name=usa2day>{{cite news|title=Handed a 'smoking gun', TMZ's Levin ran with it|first=Donna|last=Freydkin|work=USA Today|date=August 1, 2006|url=https://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-07-31-gibson-tmz_x.htm|access-date=November 25, 2009|archive-date=February 27, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090227081843/http://www.usatoday.com/life/people/2006-07-31-gibson-tmz_x.htm|url-status=live}}</ref> A student newspaper criticized TMZ for having personality cults for figures such as Lindsay Lohan and Paris Hilton—celebrities better known as targets for paparazzi than for the work they do.<ref name="cornellsun"/> In defense of TMZ's coverage, Levin said that certain celebrities are main subjects on the website because of their "relevancy" and because their relevancy helps draw viewership to the website.<ref name="tmzmj3">{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/tmzlive?autoplay=true&mediaKey=6b2ea4bc-5d5b-4f38-8189-f28499088e2b|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091129120432/http://www.tmz.com/tmzlive?autoplay=true&mediaKey=6b2ea4bc-5d5b-4f38-8189-f28499088e2b|archive-date=November 29, 2009|website=TMZ|title=TMZ Live - 11/25/09 Part 3|date=November 25, 2009|access-date=November 25, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Liz Kelly of ''Washington Post'' attacked both Levin and TMZ in an article, writing: "I know this is like spitting in the wind, but I have to say it: Harvey Levin, please stop it."<ref name="paps09"/>
=== Murder of Andre Lowe === On January 13, 2013, Andre Lowe was killed outside a Hollywood nightclub. A nearby TMZ reporter filmed the attack and it was posted to the website without Lowe's family's permission.<ref>{{cite news |first=Josh |last=Halliday |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/jan/17/tmz-video-murder-condemned-victims-family |title=TMZ video of murder condemned by victim's family |work=The Guardian |date=January 17, 2013 |access-date=January 25, 2013 |location=London |archive-date=March 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304005927/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/jan/17/tmz-video-murder-condemned-victims-family |url-status=live }}</ref> On January 22, TMZ took the video down after over two dozen advertisers revoked ads for the website.<ref>{{cite news |first=Anna |last=Almendrala |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/23/tmz-andre-lowe-petition_n_2535065.html |title=TMZ Graphic Footage Of Andre Lowe's Death Edited In Response To Change.org Petition From Family |work=The Huffington Post |access-date=January 25, 2013 |date=January 23, 2013 |archive-date=January 26, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130126131919/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/23/tmz-andre-lowe-petition_n_2535065.html |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |first=Josh |last=Halliday |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/jan/25/tmz-takes-down-murder-footage |title=TMZ takes down footage of Andre Lowe shooting following complaints |work=The Guardian |access-date=January 25, 2013 |location=London |date=January 25, 2013 |archive-date=March 4, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140304004154/http://www.theguardian.com/media/2013/jan/25/tmz-takes-down-murder-footage |url-status=live }}</ref>
=== Death of Kobe Bryant === At 11:24 a.m. Pacific Time on January 26, 2020, TMZ reported on the death of basketball player Kobe Bryant,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2020/01/26/kobe-bryant-killed-dead-helicopter-crash-in-calabasas/|title=Kobe Bryant & Daughter Die in Helicopter Crash, Photos from Her Last Game|website=TMZ|language=en|access-date=2020-01-27|archive-date=January 26, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200126195700/https://www.tmz.com/2020/01/26/kobe-bryant-killed-dead-helicopter-crash-in-calabasas/|url-status=live}}</ref> the first news outlet to do so.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|last=Tracy|first=Marc|date=2020-01-27|title=In Haste to Confirm Kobe Bryant News, News Media Stumbles|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/27/business/tmz-kobe.html|access-date=2020-08-27|issn=0362-4331|archive-date=January 28, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200128100045/https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/27/business/tmz-kobe.html|url-status=live}}</ref> TMZ received strong criticism, notably from Sheriff Alex Villanueva of the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department, for reporting the story before the next of kin had been notified as well as leaking photos of the crash site.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web|last=Darcy|first=Oliver|date=January 27, 2020|title=Police scold TMZ after outlet was first to report death of Kobe Bryant|url=https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/26/media/tmz-death-report-kobe-bryant/index.html|url-status=live|access-date=2020-01-27|website=CNN|archive-date=January 27, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200127140446/https://www.cnn.com/2020/01/26/media/tmz-death-report-kobe-bryant/index.html}}</ref>
=== Johnny Depp Vs. Amber Heard ===
During the defamation trial against actress Amber Heard, TMZ was a point of discussion. Lawyer Camille Vasquez, representing Depp, said Heard gave TMZ a video of Johnny Depp being agitated and slamming cupboards a day before the temporary restraining order (TRO) was filed. Vasquez also pointed out that TMZ had been alerted of the alleged abuse and the upcoming divorce in 2016. Heard said in her deposition that TMZ had been alerted. On May 24, 2022, TMZ, through EHM Productions Inc, filed an Emergency Motion<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/circuit/sites/circuit/files/assets/documents/pdf/high-profile/depp%20v%20heard/cl-2019-2911-emergency-intervene-ehm-prod-5-24-2022.pdf|title=Emergency Motion to Intervene by EHM Productions, Inc for Limited Purpose of Asserting Journalist's Privilege|website=Fairfax County Circuit Court|date=May 24, 2022|access-date=May 24, 2022|archive-date=May 24, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524205536/https://www.fairfaxcounty.gov/circuit/sites/circuit/files/assets/documents/pdf/high-profile/depp%20v%20heard/cl-2019-2911-emergency-intervene-ehm-prod-5-24-2022.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref> to prevent a former employee from testifying in the case. The motion was denied and Morgan Tremaine, the former TMZ employee, gave testimony.
===Death of Liam Payne=== On October 16, 2024, after the death of English singer and former One Direction member Liam Payne, TMZ drew controversy for posting pictures of the identifying tattoos on his dead body as well as the scene of the hotel in Buenos Aires, Argentina. This sparked outrage on social media, including from Canadian singer Alessia Cara and English media personality Rylan Clark. The photos were taken down after the backlash.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Abramovitch |first=Seth |date=2024-10-16 |title=TMZ Posts, Then Removes, Liam Payne Death Photos After Backlash |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/tmz-liam-payne-death-photos-breaking-taboos-drawing-condemnation-1236033681/ |access-date=2024-10-17 |website=The Hollywood Reporter |language=en-US}}</ref>
===Assassination of Charlie Kirk=== On September 10, 2025, loud cheering and clapping could be heard in the TMZ newsroom during a live report about the shooting of Charlie Kirk, seconds before Harvey Levin announced that Kirk had died. Clips were widely shared on social media and TMZ was heavily criticized. TMZ later apologized for the "tone deaf laughter" but said the employees were watching a car chase, not reacting to Kirk's death.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://komonews.com/news/nation-world/tmz-apologizes-for-tone-deaf-laughter-heard-in-newsroom-during-kirks-assassination-shot-killed-murder-homicide-death-investigation-fbi|title=TMZ apologizes for 'tone deaf' laughter heard in newsroom during Kirk's assassination|first=Jessica|last=Botelho|date=September 11, 2025|website=KOMO}}</ref>
===False news=== ==== John F. Kennedy ==== In what The Smoking Gun called "a colossal screw-up", in 2009 TMZ published an "exclusive" picture on their website of a man purported to be John F. Kennedy on a ship with several naked women that could have "changed history" had it come out during his presidential campaign.<ref name="tmzfail">{{cite web|website=TMZ|url=https://www.tmz.com/2009/12/28/president-john-f-kennedy-photograph-jfk-photo-boat-yatch-nude-naked-women-mediterranean-sea-jackie-kennedy-ted-kennedy-senator-george-smathers-election|title=The JFK Photo That Could Have Changed History|date=December 28, 2009|access-date=December 28, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231025138/http://www.tmz.com/2009/12/28/president-john-f-kennedy-photograph-jfk-photo-boat-yatch-nude-naked-women-mediterranean-sea-jackie-kennedy-ted-kennedy-senator-george-smathers-election|archive-date=December 31, 2009|url-status=dead}}</ref> Despite having a Photoshop expert proclaim the picture "authentic", it was later found not to have been of Kennedy. It was part of a 1967 ''Playboy'' photoshoot, ''Playboy'' representatives confirmed.<ref name="tmzfail2">{{cite web|url=http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/celebrity/tmz-falls-jfk-photo-hoax|title=TMZ falls for JFK Photo Hoax|work=The Smoking Gun|date=December 28, 2009|access-date=December 28, 2009|archive-date=August 31, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100831045306/http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/celebrity/tmz-falls-jfk-photo-hoax|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="tmzfail3">{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2009/12/28/john-f-kennedy-playboy-photo-boat-nude-women|website=TMZ|title=Kennedy Picture -- A Fake?|date=December 28, 2009|access-date=December 28, 2009|archive-date=December 31, 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091231025118/http://www.tmz.com/2009/12/28/john-f-kennedy-playboy-photo-boat-nude-women|url-status=live}}</ref>
==== Lil Wayne ==== On March 15, 2013, members of TMZ's staff claimed that they had learned rapper Lil Wayne was in "unstable" condition after being hospitalized following a seizure and that the then 30-year-old rapper had been placed in an induced coma and was breathing through tubes.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.tmz.com/2013/03/15/lil-wayne-seizures-hospitalized-drugs-sizzurp-critical-condition-icu/#ixzz3Cl6uohFV|title=Lil' Wayne in Critical Condition After Suffering More Seizures|date=March 15, 2013|access-date=April 16, 2020|archive-date=June 14, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200614075135/https://www.tmz.com/2013/03/15/lil-wayne-seizures-hospitalized-drugs-sizzurp-critical-condition-icu/#ixzz3Cl6uohFV|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=tmzwayne>{{cite web|url=http://gawker.com/5990888/tmz-reports-lil-wayne-is-on-his-death-bed-friends-say-wayne-is-alive-and-well |title=TMZ Reports Lil Wayne Is on His Death Bed; Friends Say Wayne is 'Alive and Well' (UPDATE) |first=Cord |last=Johnson |website=Gawker.com |date=March 15, 2013 |access-date=September 8, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909004849/http://gawker.com/5990888/tmz-reports-lil-wayne-is-on-his-death-bed-friends-say-wayne-is-alive-and-well |archive-date=September 9, 2014 }}</ref> Soon afterward, Birdman wrote on his Twitter account that Wayne was healthy enough to be released from the hospital.<ref name=tmzwayne /> Approximately one hour after these messages were posted, Wayne himself tweeted that he was fine.<ref name=tmzwayne /> ==== Jerry Lee Lewis ====
On October 26, 2022, TMZ incorrectly reported that rock n' roll and country musician Jerry Lee Lewis had died; it issued a correction a few hours later.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.tmz.com/2022/10/26/jerry-lee-lewis-not-dead/ | title=Jerry Lee Lewis Not Dead, Alive in Memphis | date=October 26, 2022 | access-date=October 26, 2022 | archive-date=November 8, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221108115010/https://www.tmz.com/2022/10/26/jerry-lee-lewis-not-dead/ | url-status=live }}</ref> A CBS affiliate in Sacramento also reported the false news.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/report-infamous-rock-and-roll-star-jerry-lee-lewis-dies-at-87/ | title=Jerry Lee Lewis is alive, despite reports of his death | website=CBS News | access-date=October 26, 2022 | archive-date=October 26, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221026231643/https://www.cbsnews.com/sacramento/news/report-infamous-rock-and-roll-star-jerry-lee-lewis-dies-at-87/ | url-status=live }}</ref> Lewis died two days later.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-63433999 | title=Notorious singer Jerry Lee Lewis dies aged 87 | work=BBC News | date=October 28, 2022 | access-date=October 28, 2022 | archive-date=October 28, 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221028181020/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-63433999 | url-status=live }}</ref>
====Beyoncé at DNC==== On August 22, 2024, TMZ incorrectly reported that Beyoncé would appear on the final night of the 2024 Democratic National Convention. The report was widely shared. Later that night, a representative for Beyoncé said she had never been scheduled to be at the DNC and that the report was false.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/politics-news/beyonce-not-attending-2024-dnc-1235982694/|title=Rep: Beyoncé Is Not Performing at DNC; “Was Never Scheduled” to Attend (Exclusive)|first=Mesfin|last=Fekadu|date=August 23, 2024}}</ref> After the convention, TMZ acknowledged "we got this one wrong" and was widely mocked on social media.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nypost.com/2024/08/23/us-news/tmz-admits-it-falsely-reported-beyonces-appearance-at-dnc-we-got-this-one-wrong/|title=TMZ admits it falsely reported Beyoncé's appearance at DNC: ‘We got this one wrong’ | New York Post|date=August 23, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.thewrap.com/tmz-roasted-after-beyonce-doesnt-appear-at-dnc/|title=TMZ Roasted for False Beyoncé DNC Report: 'A Total Failure of American Intelligence'|first=Stephanie|last=Kaloi|date=August 23, 2024}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==Further reading== *{{cite news |last=Petersen |first=Anne Helen |date=July 24, 2014 |title=The Down and Dirty History of TMZ |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/annehelenpetersen/the-down-and-dirty-history-of-tmz#30on2ag |publisher=BuzzFeed |access-date=September 14, 2014 |ref=none}}
==External links== {{Wikimedia}} *{{official website|http://www.tmz.com}} *[https://www.myspace.com/tmztv TMZ TV] Official MySpace page
{{Fox Corporation}} {{U.S. daytime talk shows}} {{Portal bar|California|Journalism|United States}}
Category:American entertainment news websites Category:Telepictures Category:Former WarnerMedia subsidiaries Category:2021 mergers and acquisitions Category:Fox Corporation subsidiaries Category:Internet properties established in 2005 Category:2005 establishments in California