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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.

SNOOP DOGG

Snoop Dogg says he didn’t hit a man with his microphone during a 2005 concert melee.

The rapper, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, took the stand Monday afternoon in a civil trial. He is being sued by Richard Monroe Jr., who claims he was seriously hurt by Broadus and his security guards after he came onstage during a show near Seattle.

Broadus told jurors he didn’t hit Monroe with a brass knuckle microphone as the man contends. Monroe testified Friday he thought he had been invited onstage. He sued the “Gin and Juice” rapper in 2006, seeking millions.

JENNIFER HUDSON

Oscar and Grammy-winning singer Jennifer Hudson has given her first hometown concert since her mother, brother and 7-year-old nephew were murdered in Chicago last year.

Hudson sang Saturday night at a theater in Chicago’s McCormick Place. She dedicated the song “You Pulled Me Through” to relatives in the audience and brought four cousins on stage to sing with her.

The bodies of her mother and brother were found Oct. 24 at their home on Chicago’s South Side. The body of nephew Julian King was found days later on the city’s West Side.

BEATRICE ARTHUR

Beatrice Arthur, the tall, deep-voiced actress, died on Saturday at the age of 86 after a battle with cancer.

Her razor-sharp delivery of comedy lines made her a TV star in the hit shows "Maude" and "The Golden Girls." Sh won a Tony Award for the musical "Mame."

Arthur died peacefully at her Los Angeles home with her family at her side, family spokesman Dan Watt said.

Arthur was born Bernice Frankel in New York City in 1922. When she was 11, her family moved to Cambridge, Md., where her father opened a clothing store. At 12 she had grown to full height, and she dreamed of being a petite blond movie star like June Allyson. There was one advantage of being tall and deep-voiced: She was chosen for the male roles in school plays.

In recent years, Arthur made guest appearances on shows including “Curb Your Enthusiasm” and “Malcolm in the Middle.” She was chairwoman of the Art Attack Foundation, a non-profit performing arts scholarship organization.

Arthur is survived by her sons and two granddaughters.

SPENCER PRATT & HEIDI MONTAG

After a symbolic elopement in Mexico last November and a trip to the Beverly Hills courthouse which failed to see them say “I do,” the longtime “Hills” couple are seemingly about to go through with the real thing.

Guests began arriving to the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Pasadena for the nuptials in the mid-afternoon, Saturday, April 25th.

With the wedding about to begin, a skywriter soared about the venue, writing “Spencer Loves Heidi” numerous times.

Spencer and Heidi began dating in the summer of 2006, which created “Hills” drama for Heidi’s friendship with series star Lauren Conrad. Though recent episodes of the MTV show has seen the two reconnecting, that followed months of feuding over a rumored sex tape purportedly starring Lauren and her ex-boyfriend Jason Wahler, a rumor that Lauren put an end to at this week’s PaleyFest09 panel for the show.

SALMA HAYEK

Salma Hayek's first wedding to billionaire fiance Francois-Henri Pinault was an intimate affair, but for Salma Hayek’s second ceremony on Saturday, the couple went a more lavish route People reported.

The couple’s 19-month-old daughter, Valentina Paloma, reportedly joined the ceremony as a flower girl, wearing a dress by Bonpoint. She was joined by Francois-Henri’s children from his first marriage, son Francois, 10, and daughter Mathilde, 8.

Before the wedding, the couple threw a masquerade ball on Friday evening at the city’s historic Punta Della Dogana, a recently renovated building not yet open to the public, and guests arrived for the wedding the next day in black and gold masks.

Salma and Francois-Henri made their marriage official in a civil ceremony in Paris on Valentine’s Day earlier this year.

JAY LENO

After missing his first day of work on “The Tonight Show” in 17 years due to illness and spending the night in the hospital, Jay Leno was released on Friday.

Jay was released from the hospital on Friday and spotted back on the set shortly thereafter, where he came in to write a few jokes.

Leno stayed overnight at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Burbank for precautionary measures, after the comedian was admitted Thursday afternoon for what was rumored to be food poisoning.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS & TRIVIA

Celebrity Birthdays & Trivia


APRIL

19 – Kate Hudson – 30 – Los Angeles, CA
19 – Ashley Judd – 41 – Granada Hills, CA
20 – Carmen Electra – 37 – Sharonville, OH
20 – Jessica Lange – 60 – Cloquet, MN
20 – Ryan O’Neal – 68 – Los Angeles, CA
21 – Andie MacDowell – 51 – Gaffney, SC
21 – Tony Danza – 58 – Brooklyn, NY
21 – Charles Grodin – 74 – Pittsburgh, PA
22 – Jack Nicholson – 72 – Manhattan, NY
22 – Glenn Campbell – 73 – Delight, AR
23 – Dev Patel – 19 – London, England
23 – George Lopez – 48 – Mission Hills, CA
23 – Valerie Bertinelli – 49 – Wilmington, DE
23 – Lee Majors – 70 – Wyandotte, MI
24 – Barbara Streisand – 67 – Brooklyn, NY
24 – Shirley MacLaine – 75 – Richmond, VA
25 – Renee Zellweger – 40 – Katy, TX
25 – Al Pacino – 69 – Manhattan, NY



Trivia

RENEE ZELLWEGER

In junior high school, Zellweger actively took part in several sports, including soccer, basketball, baseball and football. She attended Katy High School, where she was a cheerleader, a gymnast, and a drama club member. Renee acted in several school plays and was voted the "Best Looking" of her class before graduating from high school in 1987. After high school, she went to the University of Texas at Austin to major in English language. She was a good student, and made the Dean's List several times. At the beginning she took a drama class only because she needed a fine arts credit to complete her degree, but the experience made her appreciate how much she loved acting. During this time, she supported herself by taking jobs as a waitress in Austin, Texas and worked maintenance at The Velvet Touch in Flint, Michigan. In 1991, Zellweger graduated from university with a BA degree in English. She considered moving to Hollywood but decided to stay in her home state, Texas, to seek more experience. Her first job after graduation was working in a beef commercial, at the same time she started to audition for roles around Houston.

ZAC EFRON

Efron’s comedy “17 Again,” in which he plays the youthful version of a middle-aged man magically transformed to high school age, debuted as the top weekend mvoie with $24.1 million, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The No. 1 opening for the Warner Bros. movie solidifies the big-screen potential for Efron, who rose to fame with Disney’s “High School Musical” series.

MADONNA

Madonna has been released from Southampton Hospital in the Hamptons with “minor injuries and bruises” following being thrown off a horse earlier on Saturday, the pop star’s rep, Liz Rosenberg, told Access Hollywood.

Madonna’s rep issued a new statement on Tuesday saying that police did not, in fact, question the pop star properly after she fell from a horse over the weekend in the Hamptons.

It wasn’t the equestrian star’s first horse-related injury. Madonna broke several bones in a 2005 fall on her English country estate on her 47th birthday, including three cracked ribs, a broken collarbone and a broken hand.

HELIO CASTRONEVES

Brazilian race car driver and “Dancing With The Stars” champ Helio Castroneves was acquitted Friday of most charges that he worked with his sister and lawyer to evade more than $2.3 million in U.S. income taxes.

A federal jury acquitted Castroneves on six counts of tax evasion but hung on one count of conspiracy. When the sentence was read, Castroneves broke into sobs and leaned against his attorneys for support.

OPRAH WINFREY

Oprah Winfrey sent her first “tweet” during a taping of her television talk show.

The audience cheered as Winfrey typed “ASHTON IS NEXT” on a laptop Friday morning and sent the message on the social networking site Twitter.

REDMOND O'NEAL

A judge is giving the son of Farrah Fawcett and Ryan O'Neal one last chance to kick his drug habit.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Scott Millington on Friday transferred two felony drug cases against Redmond O’Neal to a court that could send him to a stringent rehab program. But he sternly warned the 24-year-old that he if he fails at rehab, as he has at least three times before, he’s going to prison.

BRAD PAISLEY

Country singer Brad Paisley and wife, actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley, have welcomed a second son.

A spokeswoman for the singer says the baby was born Friday morning at a Nashville-area hospital. No word yet on his name.

The Paisleys’ first child, William Huckleberry, whom they call “Huck,” was born in February 2007.

SUSAN BOYLE

The 47-year-old Scottish singer, who claimed she’s never been kissed, wowed “Britain’s Got Talent” judges Simon Cowell, Piers Morgan and UK actress Amanda Holden, as well as people across the world with her performance of “I Dreamed a Dream” from “Les Miserables.”

Susan Boyle has already won over the hearts of millions around the world since it was placed on YouTube, the video has clocked up over 30 million views. Susan herself has gone on a whirlwind press tour and even received an invitation to appear on “The Oprah Winfrey Show.”

Susan’s life has been turned upside down since she appearance on the British talent competition last weekend.

HEIDI KLUM

Supermodel Heidi Klum is pregnant with baby number four.

This will be the third baby for Heidi, 35, and her singer husband Seal, 46. Heidi has a child from a previous relationship.

Seal announced the news at his show at Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Thursday.

The couple have two sons together, Henry Gunther Ademola Dashtu Samuel, 3, and Johan Riley Fyodor Taiwo Samuel, 2.

Seal is also the adoptive father of Helene “Leni” Klum, who Heidi had with Flavio Briatore.

ANTWON TANNER

“One Tree Hill” actor Antwon Tanner has pleaded not guilty to involvement in a Social Security scheme.

Tanner appeared in federal court in Brooklyn, N.Y., on Thursday, April 16, 2009, on charges of selling Social Security numbers and cards. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison. Tanner and his lawyer declined to comment.

The 34-year-old actor is accused of supplying 16 Social Security numbers and three bogus cards to a middleman between December 2005 and last July.

ASHTON KUTCHER

Ashton Kutcher has become the first member of Twitter to have over one million followers.

CNN, which lost by less than 1,200 followers, quickly congratulated the star.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS & TRIVIA

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS

APRIL

12– David Letterman – 62 – Indianapolis, IN
13 – Rick Schroeder – 39 – Staten Island, NY
13 – Tony Dow – 64 – Hollywood, CA
14 – Loretta Lynn – 74 – Butcher Hollow, KY
15 – Emma Watson – 19 – Paris, France
15 – Emma Thompson – 50 – London, England
16 – Bobby Vinton – 74 – Canonsburg, PA
17 – Victoria Beckham (Posh Spice) – 35 – Essex, England
17 – Jennifer Garner – 37 – Houston, TX
18 – America Ferrera – 25 – Los Angeles, CA
18 – Melissa Joan Hart – 33 – Long Island, NY
18 – Conan O’Brien – 46 – Brookline, MA
18 – Hayley Mills – 63 – London, Englans


Trivia

DAVID LETTERMAN

Letterman lived near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and enjoyed collecting model cars, including racers. In 2000 he would tell an interviewer for Esquire that while he was growing up he admired his father's ability to tell jokes and be the life of the party. Harry Joseph Letterman survived a heart attack when he was only 36 years old and Dave was just a young boy. The fear of losing his dad was constantly with Letterman as he grew up. Harry Joseph Letterman died of a second heart attack at age 57.

David Letterman began his career as a radio talk show host on WXLW (AM), and on Indianapolis television station WLWI (now called WTHR) as a local anchor and weatherman. He received some recognition for his unpredictable on-air behavior, which included jokingly calling attention to state borders missing from the weather map, and predicting sizable hail stones "the size of canned hams." (Because this upset his bosses, to this day he occasionally still does also give out canned hams on his show.) One night he reportedly upset his bosses when he congratulated a tropical storm for being upgraded to a hurricane.

He also hosted a talk show which aired early on Saturday mornings called "Clover Power," in which he interviewed 4-H members about their projects.

In 1969, Letterman married Michelle Cook; the marriage ended by divorce in 1977. He also had a long-term relationship with former head writer and producer on Late Night, Merrill Markoe. Markoe was the mind behind several Late Night staples, such as "Stupid Pet/Human Tricks".

Letterman has a son, Harry Joseph (born in 2003), with Regina Lasko. Letterman and Lasko, who had been together since 1986, wed during a quiet courthouse ceremony in Choteau, Montana on March 19, 2009.

GEORGE HARRISON

Hundreds of George Harrison’s biggest fans and best friends, including Paul McCartney and Tom Petty, turned out Tuesday to see a posthumous star for the quiet Beatle unveiled during a celebration on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Fellow former Beatle McCartney stood next to Harrison’s widow, Olivia, and son, Dhani, as the star was unveiled in front of the landmark Capitol Records building.

MICHAEL JACKSON

Michael Jackson's possessions aren’t going to the auction block after all.

Julien’s Auction House and a spokesman for Jackson said Tuesday that the singer will retain possession of some 2,000 items from Neverland Ranch as part of a dispute settlement.

The exhibition to promote the sale, which has been open to the public, will continue through April 25.

Jackson’s production company sued auction organizer Darren Julien to halt the sale in early March.

MADONNA

Madonna is dropping $40 million on a massive New York City mansion.

The pop queen just signed a contract to purchase a multi-million dollar Georgian Townhouse in the “Gossip Girl” approved playground of Manhattan’s Upper East Side, according to the NY Post, which first reported the story.

The property, which features 36 rooms across 12,000 sq. ft, is one of the most expensive properties purchased in the area, a broker told the paper.

In addition, the property contains a 3,000-sq. ft. garden, a two-car garage and nine fireplaces.

JOSH HOLLOWAY

“Lost” star Josh Holloway is a first-time dad.

Holloway’s wife, Yessica, gave birth to a baby girl last week. Java Kumala Holloway was born in Oahu on April 9.

Java is the first child for the couple, who tied the knot in 2004.

SIMON COWELL

Simon Cowell wants to look on the bright side concerning his future with “American Idol.”

The famously acerbic Cowell says he still loves doing the Fox network show and he’ll be staying put as judge at least another year. That’s the time remaining on his contract.

SHAWN JOHNSON

“Dancing With The Stars” contestant Shawn Johnson has been granted a three-year restraining order against her alleged stalker, Robert O’Ryan.

A judge granted the request in a Los Angeles court on Tuesday. The gymnast’s parents were present in court with their attorney, Laura Stone. Johnson was not in the courtroom.

O’Ryan, who remains in custody and was not present in court on Tuesday, was arrested during the early hours of March 24, after trying to break on to the “Dancing” set at CBS Studios to meet Johnson.

The 34-year-old man from Yullee, Fla., allegedly drove from Florida to Los Angeles to meet the 17-year-old Johnson. He pled not guilty to charges of stalking and carrying loaded firearms in Los Angeles Superior Court two days later.

TORI SPELLING

Despite Candy Spelling’s recent claims that daughter Tori Spelling does not call or attempt to communicate with her, the “90210” star told People “there’s no feud" with her mother.

“It’s not like we’re not talking, we just haven’t talked,” Tori, whose new book, “Mommywood,” comes out on Tuesday, told the mag. “I love my mother. I’ve always loved her [and I have] no doubt she loves me. There’s no feud. We simply never meshed.”

Tori said the two haven’t kept in touch of late because of personality conflicts.
“My mother is who she is. I’ve become who I am.

JAY LENO

Boston’s NBC affiliate has decided to air Jay Leno's new show, after all.

WHDH-TV owner Ed Ansin issued a brief statement Monday saying that “upon further consideration,” the station had decided to telecast Leno’s 10 p.m. talk show beginning in September.

WHDH had previously said it would run a local newscast in that time slot instead, prompting a threat from NBC to strip the station of its network affiliation.

KANYE WEST

Kanye West's arraignment on misdemeanor charges has been delayed until May.

Lawyers for the rapper and his road manager were granted a delay to enter pleas until May 20 during a brief hearing Monday afternoon.

West, who is not required to attend, was scheduled to be arraigned on three misdemeanor charges filed as result of a scuffle with a paparazzo at Los Angeles International Airport on Sept. 11.

MEL GIBSON

Mel Gibson's wife, Robyn, has filed for divorce from the actor.

“Throughout our marriage and separation we have always strived to maintain the privacy and integrity of our family and will continue to do so,” the Gibsons said in a joint statement released to Access on Monday.

Robyn signed the divorce papers on Thursday and filed the papers on Monday morning in Los Angeles Superior Court, citing “irreconcilable differences” as the reason for the split.

Mel and Robyn were married in 1980 after meeting in Australia in 1977. The couple has seven children the youngest, Thomas, born in 1999, is the only minor.

Robyn is seeking joint physical and legal custody of Thomas. She is also requesting the court grant her spousal support from the actor.

"HANNAH MONTANA: THE MOVIE"

Walt Disney’s “Hannah Montana: The Movie” opened with $34 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates Sunday. That followed Cyrus’ first-place premiere last year with her 3-D concert film.

The movie is a big-screen installment of the Disney Channel series about an ordinary teen living a double life as pop star Hannah.

“Hannah Montana” drew $17.3 million on Friday for the biggest opening day ever for a G-rated live-action movie.

MADONNA

According to an e-mail from the pop star, published in Malawian newspaper The Nation on Sunday, Madonna wants to provide for orphaned young girl Chifundo “Mercy” James, despite a judge’s rejection of her adoption application.

In 2006, Madonna adopted David Banda from the African nation. However, on April 3, her adoption of Mercy was rejected over a law requiring 18 to 24 months of residency in the country, a legality that caused controversy during her adoption of David. Madonna’s lawyer confirmed to the Associated Press that the pop star was appealling the verdict not long after the judge’s decision was handed down.

CHRIS BROWN

In an interview conducted in 2007 and now released in the April 21 issue of Vibe, embattled singer Chris Brown discussed his troubled past foreshadowing the R&B star’s current controversy, which saw him plead not guilty to charges of assault and criminal threat against his girlfriend, Rihanna, in Los Angeles Superior Court on Monday.

Brown has been pressed with felony charges over an alleged violent incident in the early morning of February 8 of this year, where he allegedly bit and hit Rihanna, leaving her hospitalized.

HUGH LAURIE

Hugh Laurie is a big hit with U.S. TV audiences, but apparently, he’s also big in France as an author.

The “House” star had the best-selling book in France in the month of March, the BBC reported.

OPRAH WINFREY

The FBI and “The Oprah Winfrey Show” say Internet users should beware of an e-mail scam that promises attendance at the popular talk show in exchange for the purchase of a plane ticket.

The FBI’s Internet Crime Complaint Center said this week that a circulating e-mail was advertising the “Oprah Millionaire Contest Show,” which asks recipients for contact information. It also says those who apply have a chance to win $1 million.

The bureau says the e-mail is fraudulent and not from Winfrey or her show’s production company, or Harpo Productions.

FARRAH FAWCETT

Farrah Fawcett was receiving the support of Ryan O'Neal during her time in a Los Angeles-area hospital. Ryan, who has served as a companion and confidante throughout Farrah’s cancer battle.

Farrah was released from an undisclosed hospital on Thursday, April 9th, after a brief hospitalization related to complications from a minor procedure.

"SIMPSONS"

Starting on May 7, fans will be able to buy postage stamps featuring the animated faces of Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie, the stars of the long-running FOX show. The show is currently in its 20th year, making it the only TV show to be honored as the sole subject of a stamp set while still in primetime production.

CELEBRITY BIRTHDAYS & TRIVIA

Celebrity Birthdays & Trivia


APRIL

5– Colin Powell – 72 – New York City, NY
6 – Zach Braff – 34 – South Orange, NJ
6 – Paul Rudd – 40 – Passaic, NJ
6 – Billy Dee Williams – 72 – New York City, NY
7 – Russell Crowe – 45 – Wellington, New Zealand
7 – Jackie Chan – 55 – Victoria Park, Hong Kong
7 – James Garner – 81 – Norman, OK
8 – Betty Ford – 91 – Chicago, IL
9 – Kristen Stewart – 19 – Los Angeles, CA
9 – Dennis Quaid – 55 – Houston, TX
9 – Hugh Hefner – 83 – Chicago, IL
10 – Seven Seagal – 57 – Lansing, MI


Trivia

DENNIS QUAID

Aside from acting, Quaid is a musician and plays with his band the Sharks. He also has a pilot's license and is a scratch golfer, in 2005, was named as the top golfer among the "Hollywood set" by Golf Digest. He lends his name to the annual "Dennis Quaid Charity Weekend" (formerly the "Jiffy Lube/Dennis Quaid Charity Classic") in Austin, Texas. The golf tournament attracts numerous celebrities with the proceeds split among local children's charities.

Quaid works with the charity "International Hospital for Children in New Orleans." He makes trips to Central America to help build medical clinics and transport sick children back to the United States for treatment they cannot get locally.

In a 2006 interview with Best Life magazine, Quaid said that in the mid-1990s he suffered from anorexia.

Known for his famous grin, Quaid has appeared in both comedic and dramatic roles.

ANDY HALLETT

An agent for 33-year-old singer and actor Andy Hallett says the former cast member from the vampire TV series “Angel” has died of congestive heart disease.

Hallett’s agent Pat Brady says Hallett died Sunday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after having problems breathing. Brady says he has battled the heart condition for the past five years.

Hallett was a fan favorite on the “Buffy the Vampire Slayer” spinoff as Lorne, a green-skinned good guy demon who runs a karaoke club and can read a person’s aura when they sing.

LAKISHA JONES

Former “American Idol’ finalist Lakisha Jones is expecting a baby with her new husband, financial advisor Larry Davis.

The couple were married last October in Beverly Hills

The baby, due in August, will be Lakisha’s second child. She has a 6-year-old daughter, Brionne, who was the one who initially encouraged her to try out for “American Idol.”

TAYE DIGGS

Actors Taye Diggs and Idina Menzel are expecting their first child together.

The baby is due later this year. US Weekly was the first to report the preganacy.

Diggs, 38, and Menzel, 37, began dating after meeting in 1996 on the set of the Broadway play, “Rent.” They were married in January 2003.

QUEEN LATIFAH

A makeup artist and a fashion stylist claim in coordinated lawsuits that they got ugly treatment from Queen Latifah when she cheated them out of $1 million.

Celebrity cosmetology consultant Roxanna Floyd says she lost $700,000 when the rapper-actress failed to pay her for work she did between July 2005 and February 2008.

In a separate lawsuit, celebrity fashion stylist Susan Moses said she was cheated of $300,000 during the same period.

The lawsuits were filed Monday in federal court in Manhattan.

ALYSON HANNIGAN

Alyson Hannigan and her husband, actor Alexis Denisof, welcomed a baby girl to their family last week. Satyana Denisof and was born on March 24.

This marks the first child for Alyson, 35 and Alexis, 43, who met while working on “Buffy the Vampire Slayer,” in 1999. The couple wed in 2003.

MATT DILLON

Matt Dillon had his case dismissed after pleading guilty to speeding and paying an $828 fine.

The 44-year-old actor was stopped Dec. 30 on Interstate 91 while driving 106 mph in rural Northern Vermont. Because of the excessive speed, he was also charged with negligent operation of a motor vehicle.