DALLAS STAR LARRY HAGMAN DIES
Larry Hagman, best known for playing the love-to-hate him villain J.R. Ewing on the CBS series Dallas, died Friday of complications from throat cancer. He was 81. “When he passed, he was surrounded by loved ones," his family said in a statement to the Dallas Morning News. "It was a peaceful passing, just as he had wished for. The family requests privacy at this time." His Dallas co-stars Linda Gray and Patrick Duffy were reportedly with him when he died. "He was a fighter in the gentlest way, against his obstacles and for his friends. I wear his friendship with honor," Duffy said of Hagman in a statement. Gray also offered her condolences, saying, "Larry Hagman was my best friend for 35 years. He was the Pied Piper of life and brought joy to everyone he knew."
In addition to J.R. Ewing, a role he recently reprised for the TNT reboot (he reportedly shot 6 of the 15 episodes for season two), Hagman, son of Broadway star Mary Martin, played the iconic role of Major Anthony Nelson on the NBC 60s series I Dream of Jeannie. "My deepest condolences go out to his wife Maj, his son and daughter and his grandchildren, as well as his friends in this time of his passing," his Jeannie co-star Barbara Eden wrote on her Facebook page. "I can honestly say that we've lost not just a great actor, not just a television icon, but an element of pure Americana." She added, "Goodbye Larry, there was no one like you before and there will never be anyone like you again."
HALLE’S FIANCE AND BABY DADDY GET INTO THANKSGIVING BRAWL
There was some major drama at Halle Berry’s home Thanksgiving morning. According to TMZ, it all started when Halle’s baby daddy Gabriel Aubry dropped off daughter Nahla. That’s when Halle’s fiancé Olivier Martinez walked up to Gabriel in the driveway and told him “we have to move on,” referring to the couple’s custody fight. Witnesses say Gabriel then pushed Olivier and punched him in the face, which Olivier blocked. Gabriel then pushed Olivier to the ground, but Olivier struck Gabriel in the face and a struggle ensued, and Olivier wound up pinning Gabriel to the ground. Olivier made a citizens arrest and called the police, who escorted Gabriel to the hospital. He reportedly suffered a broken rib, contusions on his face and a possible head injury. Olivier went to the hospital a bit later, and may have broken his hand and suffered neck injuries. When Gabriel was released from the hospital he was taken to an LA jail, where he was arrested for suspicion of battery. A judge also issued an emergency protective order which requires Gabriel to stay 100 yards away from Halle, Oliver and Nahla.
CRUISE SPENDS THANKSGIVING WITH SURI
Tom Cruise had a lot to be thankful for this Thanksgiving; specifically he got to spend some time with daughter Suri. Tom has been on location in London shooting All You Need is Kill, and sent a family member to pick up Suri and bring her overseas. A source told Us it was the “first time he’s seen Suri in a long time.”
HOWARD SETTLES DIVORCE CASE
Terrence Howard and his estranged wife Michelle Ghent have finally settled their acrimonious divorce. TMZ reports that sealed court documents were filed on August 16th. Michelle filed for divorce in February 2011, and accused Terrence of beating her. Terrence in return accused Michelle of being a racist.
ZOLCIAK QUITS HOUSEWIVES
Kim Zolciak reveals in In Touch magazine that she has quit The Real Housewives of Atlanta. In fact, her departure was so abrupt, she exits the series midway through the current season. “I was eight months pregnant and there was so much drama – I just had to walk,” Kim, who gave birth to son Kash Kade in August, told the mag. “I’ve taken on so much in the past five years, but this was the final straw. My priority was the child inside me.” Kim said she finally decided she’d had enough around the time co-star Cynthia Bailey was renewing her vows with husband Peter Thomas. Kim, who was 36-weeks pregnant at the time, missed the event because her doctor told her not to travel, but her co-stars were far from understanding. “They couldn’t understand why I couldn’t go,” she said. “Fighting is what we’re known for, but I’ve never disagreed with a pregnant woman. It’s not one life you’re dealing with, it’s two.” But despite her issues, Kim hasn’t ruled out a Housewives return in the future. “I can’t say it was easy to end that chapter,” she said. “After all, I met my husband (Kroy Biermann) through this show.”
Q-Kim’s Bravo spin-off took its name from Kim’s 2009 dance single. What was the name of the song, and what was the name of the show? “Tardy for the Party” and the show was Don’t Be Tardy for the Wedding
CHEVY CHASE LEAVES COMMUNITY
Chevy Chase is out at NBC’s Community. The actor had a tumultuous relationship with the show, and has been very critical of it. He famously left a nasty voicemail for the show’s former creator Dan Harmon, and their subsequent verbal battle eventually led to Harmon’s firing. According to the Hollywood Reporter, Chase did not quit, nor was he fired, rather his departure was a “mutual decision” between the actor and producers. He has already shot most of the upcoming season's episodes, but will likely be absent from the final few.
KIMORA LEE SIMMONS AND DJIMON HOUNSOU SEPARATE
Kimora Lee Simmons and actor Djimon Hounsou have called it quits after more than five years together. "Djimon Hounsou and Kimora Lee Simmons have officially separated after 5½ years," the actor's rep tells People. "Though never married, they have one child together, Kenzo Lee Hounsou, who is 3½ years old." Kimora added on Twitter, “There have been quite a few hurtful rumors circulating. The truth is Djimon and I have been separated for some time. We have remained happy, loving, co-parenting friends and family. We all have much to be thankful for." Kimora is also mother of two daughters, Ming Lee, 12, and Aoki Lee, 10, with her ex husband Russell Simmons.
MAYIM BIALIK FILES FOR DIVORCE
The Big Bang Theory’s Mayim Bialik has filed for divorce from her husband of nine years, Michael Stone. The actress cites “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the split. The couple has two kids and is proponents of “attachment parenting,” which encourages children to sleep in the same bed with their parents. "The hands-on style of parenting we practice played no role in the changes that led to this decision," said Mayim in a statement, "relationships are complicated no matter what style of parenting you choose." She adds, "The main priority for us now is to make the transition to two loving homes as smooth and painless as possible. Our sons deserve parents committed to their growth and health and that's what we are focusing on.”
BOND FINALLY LICENSED TO DRIVE…IN NY
He may be licensed to kill, but apparently James Bond wasn’t licensed to drive in the state of New York. The New York Post reports that in September, actor Daniel Craig went to driving school in Manhattan in order to obtain a NY license. “No one is exempt, regardless of who you are,” said Richard Fernandez, manager of the Professional Driving School of the Americas, where Craig took his classes. After passing his written test, Craig took the five-hour pre-licensing safety course, where he did get a bit of VIP treatment. “His assistant requested a special class for Daniel by himself. No other students were there,” said Fernandez. “He was such a nice dude, so friendly.” After finishing the requirements, Craig took his road test in Staten Island and passed.
Q-In all three Daniel Craig Bond films, 007 drives what brand of British automobile? Aston Martin
FORMER PRICE IS RIGHT MODEL GETS $7.7 MIL
A former Price is Right model has landed a huge payday. Brandi Cochran sued producers of the show claiming she was discriminated against after she got pregnant. She claimed she was called names and eventually fired from the show. Brandi was initially awarded $777,000 in actual damages, but on Wednesday, a jury awarded her $7.7 million in punitive damages. "I'm humbled. I'm shocked," Cochran said after the jury announced its verdict. "I'm happy that justice was served today not only for women in the entertainment industry, but women in the workplace." Producers of The Price is Right plans to appeal.
MADONNA SHOWING TOO MUCH SKIN
By now we all know that 54-year-old Madonna certainly isn’t shy. The latest proof is the black lingerie she wore during a performance in Miami on Monday. The outfit was so revealing, it barely covered her vajayjay (think reverse wedgie). In other barely-dressed Madonna news…the new ad for her perfume Truth or Dare: Naked looks very similar to a picture she took 20 years ago for her coffee table book Sex. Madge strikes an identical pose in the new ad, although her naughty bits are covered with the words “Naked: A new fragrance.” In the original she was covered with bejeweled pasties and panties.
Q-What is the name of Madonna’s most recent album, which hit stores in March of this year? MDNA
HOUSEWIVES KRUPA ENDS ENGAGEMENT
Real Housewives of Miami’s Joanna Krupa is single again. The former Dancing with the Stars contestant tells In Touch magazine that she has ended her engagement to Romain Zago. “We got in a huge fight, and I just pretty much got fed up with it,” she said. “He loves me to death, he wants to be with me, but there’s something that’s holding him from committing 100 percent.” Fans of the Bravo show shouldn’t be too surprised by the split, since the couple is usually seen fighting on the program.
Q-Joanna finished in fourth place when she competed on Dancing with the Stars. Who was her partner? Derek Hough
TROUBLE IN PARADISE FOR LEANN AND EDDIE
LeAnn Rimes just spent time in rehab for emotional issues, and it sounds like she may soon be dealing with some more. According to Star magazine, LeAnn’s marriage to Eddie Cibrian has hit the skids because he is “sick and tired of the chaos,” that surrounds LeAnn. “It seems to never end,” said an insider. “He can’t take all the drama anymore. He told her he needs some time alone to get his head together.” According to Star, LeAnn’s solution to save their marriage is a baby. “Her goal is to be pregnant in 2013, no matter what -- even if she has to try IVF,” claims a source. “She blames some of her emotional problems on not having a baby of her own.” The insider adds that the one thing keeping Eddie with LeAnn is money, since he’s currently not working, and she is still bringing in the dough. But even that may not be enough. "Being with LeAnn is a lot of work," the source tells the tab. "Eddie's starting to question whether it's even worth it."
AN EMMA STONE SEX TAPE?
Emma Stone has a pretty squeaky clean image, but that may all change soon. According to Radaronline, the 24-year-old Easy A star has a sex tape out there. “She made it long before she started dating Andrew Garfield, and before she really became a household name,” claims a source. “She was just young and probably thought nothing would ever come of it." So far nobody’s shopping the tape, but that could change. “The tape remains in the hands of the person she made it with,” said the insider. “But that doesn’t mean there’s any guarantee it won’t hit the market. The higher Emma’s star rises, the more valuable that tape becomes.”
Q-In 2011, Emma starred in a movie that was based on a best-selling book set in the south during the civil rights era. What was it called? The Help
BON JOVI CALLS DAUGHTER’S OVERDOSE A TRAGEDY
Jon Bon Jovi has spoken out for the first time since his 19-year-old daughter Stephanie overdosed and was arrested for heroin possession earlier this month. “Things happen,” the rocker told Fox 11 about the incident. “The tragedy was something that I had to face too, so we’ll get through it. And people’s warm wishes for my family and I have been really reassuring. So we’re good.”
IS ARIEL WINTER’S SISTER AFTER HER MONEY?
Ariel Winter’s mother Chrystal Workman tried to argue in court that the only reason Ariel’s sister Shanelle Gray wanted guardianship of the Modern Family star is to go after her money, and it sure sounds like Shanelle could use the dough. According to TMZ, Shanelle, a former actress, filed for bankruptcy in 2000, and had only $385 to her name, but debts totaling over $42,000. But there is one problem with Chrystal’s argument. TMZ reports that when Shanelle asked for guardianship, she specifically did not ask for control or access to Ariel’s finances. Shanelle currently de owns an actor’s studio in Los Angeles and apparently married very well. According to TMZ, her husband, David Barry Gray, is the heir to the Pepsi fortune.
ACTRESS DEOBORAH RAFFIN DIES
Actress Deborah Raffin, who starred in several 80s miniseries, including 1988’s adaptation of James Clavell’s Noble House, died Wednesday after a year-long battle from leukemia. She was 59. In more recent years, Raffin had a recurring role on The Secret Life of an American Teenager, as well as the WB series 7th Heaven. In addition, Raffin and her husband Michael Viner created what eventually became the multi-million dollar audio book company Dove.
MISCELLANEOUS MOVIE NEWS
The first full trailer for the upcoming Superman movie Man of Steel will debut before The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which opens December 14th. Man of Steel, staring Henry Cavill, hits theaters on June 14th, 2013.
Paramount Pictures has announced that the fifth installment in the Paranormal Activity franchise will hit theaters October 25th, 2013.
TV TIDBITS
Downton Abbey has been renewed for a fourth season by Britain’s ITV. Season three will premiere on PBS January 6th, 2013. Although there’s been no word from PBS, it is expected that they will air the fourth season as well.
Former Law & Order star Dennis Farina has been cast to play Nick’s (Jake Johnson) con-man dad on an upcoming episode of Fox’s New Girl. The episode is expected to air early next year.
