Thursday, April 30, 2009

Important Notice From StartSampling


Effective Monday, May 4th, we will no longer be updating Star Struck. We have enjoyed featuring this section and hope you did too! This decision was made due to low readership and participation and we want to put our energy into a section that will be more valuable to you as a member of StartSampling. If you have any suggestions or ideas as to other content you would like to see on StartSampling, please feel free to leave your comments in this section or e-mail us at support@startsampling.com. We value your membership and want to continue to offer content on our site that will allow our members to participate in the sampling community you have helped us create.

Sincerely,

StartSampling Staff

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAY SPOTLIGHT

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS


APRIL

26 – Tom Welling – 32 – Putnam Valley, NY
26 – Carol Brunett – 76 – San Antonio, TX
27 – Casey Kasem – 76 – Detroit, MI
28 – Penelope Cruz – 35 – Madrid, SPAIN
28 – Jay Leno – 59 – Andover, MA
28 – Ann Margret – 68 – Jamtlands Ian, SWEDEN
29 – Uma Thurman – 39 – Boston, MA
29 – Michelle Pfeiffer – 51 – Santa Ana, CA
29 – Jerry Seinfeld – 55 – Brooklyn, NY
30 – Willie Nelson – 76 – Abbott, TX
30 – Cloris Leachman – 83 – Des Moines, IA

MAY


>01 – Tim McGraw – 42 – Delhi, LA
02 – Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson – 47 – Hayward, CA
02 – Engelbert Humperdinck – 73 – Madras, India



Trivia




ANN-MARGRET


Ann-Margret and her mother moved to the United States in November 1946, and her father took her to Radio City Music Hall on the day they arrived. They settled just outside of Chicago in Wilmette, IL. She became a naturalized citizen of the United States in 1949. She took her first dance lessons at the Marjorie Young School of Dance, and showed natural ability from the start, easily mimicking all the steps. Her parents were supportive and her mother handmade all her costumes. Ann-Margret's mother worked as a funeral parlour receptionist after her husband suffered a severe injury on his job. While a teenager, Ann-Margret appeared on the Morris B. Sachs Amateur Hour, Don McNeill's Breakfast Club and Ted Mack’s Amateur Hour.

Through high school, she continued to star in theatricals and she attended Northwestern University, where she was a member of the sorority Kappa Alpha Theta but did not graduate. As part of a group known as the "Suttletones," they performed at the Mist, a Chicago nightclub, and went to Las Vegas for a promised club date which fell through after they arrived. They plugged ahead to Los Angeles and, through agent Georgia Lund, secured club dates in Newport Beach and Reno, where Ann-Margret had a chance encounter with Marilyn Monroe, who was on location for The Misfits. Monroe noticed the striking girl in a crowd of onlookers, then chatted privately with her, offering her encouragement.

The group finally arrived at The Dunes in Las Vegas, which also headlined Tony Bennett and Al Hirt at that time. George Burns heard of her performance and she auditioned for his annual holiday show, in which she and Burns did a soft-shoe routine. Variety proclaimed, "George Burns has a gold mine in Ann-Margret...she has a definite style of her own, which can easily guide her to star status". She has been married to Roger Smith since May 8, 1967.

SEAN PENN


In the papers, filed by Penn on Friday, April 24 in Marin County, Calif., and obtained by Access Hollywood, the actor cites “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the split.

Penn is also seeking to “terminate the court’s jurisdiction to award spousal support” to Wright.

According to Penn’s attorney, Mindy Ross, the actor did not file for divorce, but rather a “legal separation.”

While the court can still rule on details including division of property and custody of children, the couple is still legally married, Ross noted.

Wright now has 30 days to also file a legal separation of marriage, or she can opt to file for divorce, which would then be granted, according to Ross.

DONALD TRUMP

NBC says Donald Trump will be firing more stars next year when “Celebrity Apprentice” returns for another round.

The network is announcing a ninth season for the reality series, scheduled to air in Spring 2010.
That’s when 16 new celebrities will meet and compete in business-oriented challenges. All but one of the rivals will hear mogul Trump tell them, “You’re fired!”

JOHN TRAVOLTA


Two people accused of attempting to extort millions from the Travolta family following the death of their son Jett, pled not guilty in a Bahamian court on Tuesday, TMZ reported.

Former Bahamian Senator Pleasant Bridgewater, who was charged with abatement to extort, and paramedic Tarino Lightbourne, who was charged with attempted extortion, were arraigned together, according to E! Online.

Various previous reports have alleged that the two claimed to have embarrassing information related to Jett’s death. They allegedly were seeking $25 million from the grieving family.

BRITNEY SPEARS


A judge has granted Britney Spears a three year restraining order against former manager Sam Lutfi and an attorney, Jon Eardley.

Judge Aviva Bobb granted the order on Wednesday afternoon in Los Angeles Superior Court after deliberating for most of the day on the issue.

Attorneys for Lutfi and Eardley had appeared in court on Wednesday morning to argue against the temporary restraining order against the men being made permanent for a three-year period.

CHRIS NOTH


After rumors of contract spats and reports of scheduling problems, Mr. Big will reportedly return for the “Sex and The City” sequel.

According to E! Online, Sarah Jessica Parker confirmed that Carrie and Mr. Big, played by actor Chris Noth, will once again reunite on the big screen in the sequel that series creator Michael Patrick King is currently writing. As for details on the couple’s storyline, it’s still a mystery to even the series star.

LAUREN CONRAD

After much debate over whether Lauren Conrad would actually be leaving “The Hills,” MTV has finally announced they are moving forward without their star.

In a statement promoting this fall’s new episodes of the MTV reality show, the network confirmed LC would no longer be a part of the cast.

“Lauren has moved on,” the statement read. “But Heidi, Audrina, Spencer, Brody, Stephanie, Lo and Justin Bobby will be back as the drama continues

"X-Men Origins: Wolverine"


The Mexico City premiere of “X-Men Origins: Wolverine” has been postponed due to the outbreak of swine flu, which has claimed the lives of over 100 people in the area.

Twentieth Century Fox has yet to announce a make-up date for the premiere, which was originally scheduled for Wednesday.

The effects of the swine flu outbreak have been felt across Mexico, as authorities have asked the nation’s residents to remain inside their house. Schools across the country have also been canceled until May 6, according to the Washington Post.

"Britain's Got Talent"

While the international fever for Susan Boyle shows no signs of cooling off, the competition show the Scottish singer is in "Britain's Got Talent” just introduced a new contender, who just might nip at her heels.

Hollie Steel, a 10-year-old school girl, became the newest “Talent” darling during the audition round on the UK talent show, which is currently narrowing its field of contenders.

Dressed in a tutu and leotard, the pint-sized contestant thrilled judges Piers Morgan, Amanda Holden and actress Kelly Brook, after singing “I Could’ve Danced All Night” from “My Fair Lady.”

HOWIE MANDEL

In the first ever Game Show Awards, Howie Mandel will be making face time not only as the host, but also as a nominee.

GSN announced today that Howie will host the award show, which rewards excellence in the game show genre, and is set to premiere June 6 on GSN.

Howie is nominated in the best game show host category for his work on “Deal or No Deal,” and can also been seen on his new NBC hidden camera show, “Howie Do It.”

JAY LENO


More than 2,000 people picked up tickets Monday to next month’s free comedy show by Jay Leno, who is bringing his act to southwest Ohio as a morale booster.

Wilmington, a city of 12,000, has drawn national attention as a vivid example of the economic struggles of small U.S. communities during the recession, and both presidential candidates discussed its plight last year.

More than 2,000 people picked up tickets Monday to next month’s free comedy show by Jayt Leno, who is bringing his act to southwest Ohio as a morale booster.

People in shorts, sunhats and baseball caps sat in lawn chairs or on the ground to form lines that stretched out from four entrances to the Roberts Centre, where Leno will hold his Comedy Stimulus show May 10.