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Archive: February 2011 (21-30 of 83)

Feb 18 2011 04:45 PM ET

Rufus Wainwright announces he's a dad

Singer Rufus Wainwright has announced the birth of his daughter on his website. Viva Katherine Wainwright Cohen was born Feb. 2 in Los Angeles “to proud parents Lorca Cohen, Rufus Wainwright and Deputy Dad Jorn Weisbrodt,” the post on the website reads. “The little angel is evidently healthy, presumably happy and certainly very very beautiful.” (Lorca Cohen is the daughter of acclaimed singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen.)

Wainwright also dedicated a song lyric to his new daughter: “Daddy #1 would like to offer everyone a digital cigar and welcome the little lady in with a French phrase from his favorite folk song, ‘A La Claire Fontaine’: ‘Il y a longtemps que je t’aime, jamais je ne t’oublierai.’” The lyric’s translation: “So long I’ve been loving you, I will never forget you.”

Feb 18 2011 09:57 AM ET

'Narnia' producer Perry Moore dies

by Jeff Labrecque

Categories: In Memoriam

Image Credit: Scott Gries/Getty ImagesPerry Moore, who executive-produced the blockbuster Narnia films, was found unconscious in his Manhattan apartment yesterday morning, according to a New York City Police spokesperson. Emergency technicians responded to a 911 call and pronounced the filmmaker dead around 9:20 a.m. A medical examiner will determine the cause of death. In addition to working on the Narnia films, Moore, 39, had also co-directed and co-written Lake City, a 2008 film starring Sissy Spacek and Troy Garity.

Feb 17 2011 11:10 PM ET

The 5 Browns' father pleads guilty to sexual abuse

by Jeff Labrecque

Categories: Lawsuits

Keith Brown, the patriarch of the family whose children make up the classical piano group The 5 Browns, has been charged with the sexual abuse of his three now-adult daughters, according to the AP. UPDATE: Brown pleaded guilty today to a first-degree felony count of sodomy on a child and two second-degree felony counts of sexual abuse of a child, related to events that occurred between 1990 and 1998. In a statement, a spokesperson for the musical group said:

“This morning, Keith Brown pled guilty to felony charges of sexual abuse involving his daughters.

The case, brought by the Utah County Attorney’s Office, was initiated by the three Brown sisters. The women were motivated to approach law enforcement out of concern for the welfare and protection of other young women and girls. All three sisters are at peace with the agreement that has been reached in this case. While clearly the current events surrounding the family are painful, the sisters were well prepared for this day, and are relieved and grateful to close this chapter in their lives. READ FULL STORY »

Feb 17 2011 01:28 PM ET

Len Lesser, a.k.a. Uncle Leo on 'Seinfeld,' dies at 88

by Dan Snierson

Categories: In Memoriam, Television

Len Lesser, the 88-year-old character actor best known for playing Uncle Leo on Seinfeld, passed away Wednesday in Burbank, Calif., from cancer-related pneumonia, his family said in a statement. The New York-born World War II veteran had roles in such films as Outlaw Josey Wales, Birdman of Alcatraz, and Papillon, and appeared in a wide variety of television shows including Get Smart, The Munsters, The Monkees, The Rockford Files, and ER. He’s most recognized for the 15 episodes that he spent in the 1990s on Seinfeld as Jerry’s arm-grabbing, close-talking, “Jerry! Hello!”-exclaiming uncle.

UPDATE: Seinfeld co-creator/star Jerry Seinfeld paid tribute to Lesser in a statement: “Len was one of our favorites. We always loved having him on the show. I’ll never forget when Uncle Leo was in prison and tattooed ‘Jerry Hello’ on his knuckles. He was a very sweet guy.” READ FULL STORY »

Feb 17 2011 12:56 PM ET

Rod Stewart brings home baby No. 8

by Kate Ward

Categories: Celebrity Babies!

Rod Stewart, 66, and wife Penny Lancaster Stewart, 39, have welcomed their second son, People reports. Aiden Stewart — brother to the couple’s first son, Alastair Wallace, 5 — was born Wednesday, and is Stewart’s eighth child. “Mother and baby are healthy and blissfully happy,” a rep for the Stewarts told People.

Feb 16 2011 05:32 PM ET

Angelina Pivarnick of 'Jersey Shore' is engaged

by Darren Franich

Categories: Weddings

Angelina Pivarnick, who famously walked away twice from filming the MTV hit series Jersey Shore, is engaged, according to People. The reality star’s boyfriend, David Kovacs, apparently proposed to her in full view of the press at the STYLE360 Sachika’s fashion show earlier today. An onlooker reported, “She covered her face with her hand and dropped ring on carpet because she was so nervous.”

Feb 16 2011 04:55 PM ET

David Cassidy pleads no contest to DUI

by Kate Ward

Categories: Misc.

David Cassidy has pleaded no contest to a DUI charge in Fort Pierce, Fla., the Associated Press reports. As a result, the Partridge Family star will serve one year probation and six months suspended driving privileges. The charge stems from a Nov. 3 arrest; Cassidy was taken into custody after failing a sobriety test.

Feb 16 2011 03:53 PM ET

Frankie Muniz denies pulling gun during domestic dispute

by Jeff Labrecque

Categories: Misc.

Police were called to the Phoenix home of Malcolm in the Middle actor, Frankie Muniz, on Friday, after he argued with his girlfriend, Elycia Turnbow. The AP reported that Turnbow had told police that Muniz, 25, had put a gun to his own head during the spat, but in a joint statement, the couple insisted the “gun played no part in the argument and was voluntarily given to the police for safekeeping.” The statement continued: “There were no bruises on anyone. Neither left the residence that night. He was not suicidal. She was not assaulted. They have been together since the incident; are still together and are moving forward with their lives and with their relationship.”

Feb 16 2011 02:04 PM ET

Jessica Alba pregnant with baby No. 2

by Jeff Labrecque

Categories: Celebrity Babies!

Jessica Alba has announced that she and her husband, Cash Warren, are expecting their second child. “It’s been a while since I’ve been on FB & I thought I’d drop by to let you all in on some exciting news,” Alba wrote on her Facebook page. “Honor is going to be a Big Sister! Cash and I are thrilled and wanted to share the news directly with you so you didn’t hear about it somewhere else. I appreciated all of the love and support you all gave me during my first pregnancy and will definitely appreciate it again this time around. Have a great day!”

Alba and Warren have a two-year-old daughter, Honor.

Feb 15 2011 09:24 PM ET

Mickey Rooney granted restraining order against stepson

by Adam B. Vary

Categories: Lawsuits, Movies

A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has granted 90-year-old actor Mickey Rooney a temporary restraining order against stepson Chris Aber, the Associated Press is reporting. Court filings by Rooney’s attorneys allege Aber has withheld food and medicine from Rooney, “yells and screams” at the actor, and “threatens, intimidates, bullies, and harasses Mickey.” Aber is ordered to stay 100 yards from Rooney and his home until at least a Feb. 24 court hearing.