Tag Archives: actor

Arnold Schwarzenegger Goes Green

Well… he does have teenage children. But, that may not be the only reason California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is going green this Earth Day… on MTV. The actor-turned-politician is scheduled to appear tonight on the popular MTV show “Pimp My Ride.” Before you let your imagination get the best of you, you should know that Schwarzenegger’s appearance is part of his latest promotion to boost his environmental agenda. (In other words he’s appearing on the show on Earth Day for a reason.) Schwarzenegger’s aides say their boss’s appearance on MTV is the latest move to generate attention to environmentally friendly … Continue reading →

Tom Cruise—”Hero” To Some 9/11 Emergency Workers

In a previous blog I wrote about Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes’ new Louisiana home. It seems the couple is taking a detour getting there—-for good reason. According to news reports, Cruise is in Manhattan tonight raising money for New York police, firefighters and paramedics affected by the events of September 11th. His appearance (Holmes was also supposed to attend) was not billed as a surprise since the charity he is trying to raise money for—-the New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project—-is a program he co-founded in 2002. It’s no surprise (at least to those who know Cruise) that the … Continue reading →

Eddie Murphy—“Sore Loser?”

If you caught Barbara Walters’ Oscar night television special on Sunday then you likely saw actor Eddie Murphy address rumors that he was a “recluse.” The Academy Award nominee vehemently denied (both seriously and in a highly animated fashion) that he was simply a misunderstood “introvert” and “certainly not a recluse.” Walters broached the subject and referenced a litany of entertainment publications, which accused the actor of being “anti-social.” Murphy responded by saying that people expect him to be as outlandish in person as he is on screen. By the end of the interview I felt sorry for the man. … Continue reading →

Celebrity Tidbits: A Supportive Husband (!) and A Supportive Friend (?)

A SUPPORTIVE HUSBAND! Denzel Washington won an Oscar as best actor for his role as a rogue cop in the 2001 film Training, but I think he should also get an award for his role as a supportive husband. The actor is going public in an effort to encourage his wife of 23 years to come out of retirement and resume her singing career. Washington’s wife, singer Pauletta Pearson, gave up her career as a Broadway actress and singer to marry Washington and raise their four children. Now Washington is trying desperately to persuade his “better half” to return to … Continue reading →

Rocky’s Gloves To Live In Perpetuity

You no longer have to dig through your VHS tape collection to get a glimpse of Rocky Balboa’s boxing robe and gloves; rather you can visit them in person along with Dorothy’s ruby red slippers, Abraham Lincoln’s top hat and Thomas Edison’s light bulb at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Just hours ago actor and director Sylvester Stallone Tuesday donated iconic items from his “Rocky” movies to the landmark museum so that they could be preserved for decades to come. “I knew I was getting old, but I didn’t think I would be with the dinosaurs so soon,” … Continue reading →

“Mr. Holland” Goes Back To School

Actor Richard Dreyfuss, who starred in the critically acclaimed movie “Mr. Holland’s Opus” about a musician/composer who reluctantly accepts a “day” job as a teacher, but soon finds it’s his true passion, is heading back to school in an effort to show Americans how to become better citizens. Appearing on ABC’s “This Week” yesterday, the Academy Award-winning actor said, “The teaching of civics presently in the United States is dismal and startling.” Which is why he is launching a campaign to develop a civics curriculum for America’s schools. Dreyfuss went on to tell viewers that when he was a child … Continue reading →

Hollywood Patriarch Dies

I recently blogged about the wonderful new addition Emmy-winning actress Mariska Hargitay and her husband welcomed into their home—a baby boy named August. Unfortunately, the tears of joy Hargitay shed just a few months ago have now turned to tears of sorrow. The actress’s father Mickey Hargitay, the actor and world champion bodybuilder died late last week. He was 80 years old. According to news reports, Hargitay died Thursday in Los Angeles of multiple myeloma. Hargitay was once married to 1950s sex siren Jayne Mansfield (the couple had three children together, including Mariska, before divorcing in 1964)–in that decade he … Continue reading →

Murphy Brown Actor Dies

One of my favorite television shows of all time is “Murphy Brown.” (Likely, because I was working in the trenches of television news during the show’s run.) The CBS sitcom starred Candice Bergen as a quick-witted, sharp-tongued, hard-driving TV newswoman. I especially loved her interactions with Faith Ford’s character–Bergen’s young, ditsy protégé. But, I also loved the scenes when the whole crew would end the day around a table at Phil’s Bar. Sadly, I just learned that Pat Corley (“Murphy Brown’s” barkeep Phil) died last week. According to news reports, Corley died of congestive heart failure on Monday, September 11th … Continue reading →

Show Me The Money

Well, that didn’t take long. Just days after the world learned of the bitter split between Tom Cruise and Paramount Pictures, several news organizations are announcing that the actor has found someone willing to “show him the money.” Yes, Tom Cruise has found a new financial backer for his films. According to Hollywood trade publications, the Mission: Impossible star has struck a deal with “an investment group that includes Daniel M. Snyder, the owner of the Washington Redskins football team.” In addition to owning the Redskins, Snyder is also the chairman of Six Flags, Inc. (One can safely assume that … Continue reading →

Mel Gibson Avoids Jail

Mel Gibson won’t be going to jail for driving under the influence, instead he will be spending a lot of time in group therapy. A statement released by the L.A. County District Attorney’s office Thursday announced that the 50-year-old actor reached a plea agreement with prosecutors in his drunk-driving case. Basically, it spares him jail time but requires him to attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, restricts his driver’s license for 90 days and sentences him to three years of probation. Gibson will also have to pay $1,300 in fines. In addition, the L.A. district attorney’s office reports that Gibson “volunteered to … Continue reading →