Ruin someone’s night in front of him? Good luck
George Clooney is denying newspaper reports that he was involved in a shoving match with a security guard outside a bar in London’s West End. The Evening Standard said Clooney got into the fight early Friday morning after using the bar’s rear entrance to avoid photographers.
Clooney’s publicist said the actor “did not get into a fight with a security guard. … However, he did get into an argument with someone connected with the movie. …
“And while it had nothing to do with the paparazzi, it did have everything to do with someone being unkind to a woman. While no punches were thrown, George told the person to knock it off.”
In his own statement, Clooney added: “I won’t stand by while someone is being insulted and maligned.”
A reception was being held at the bar for a screening of Clooney’s latest film, “Good Night, and Good Luck,” based on the battle between TV journalist Edward R. Murrow and Sen. Joseph McCarthy during the 1950s.
Omar a lousy tippler?
A restaurant parking valet is suing Omar Sharif for allegedly calling him a derogatory name and punching him after he refused to accept European currency.
The suit says an intoxicated Sharif (“Dr. Zhivago,” “Lawrence of Arabia”) got upset when his Porsche SUV was not waiting when he left a Beverly Hills steakhouse.
It claims Sharif called valet Juan Anderson a “stupid Mexican” when he refused to accept a 20 euro note.
Anderson, who is from Guatemala, is seeking $50,000 in civil penalties, unspecified damages and attorney fees.
Liz helps AIDS fight
Elizabeth Taylor was swathed in her trademark jewels during a regal public entrance to dedicate the new UCLA Clinical AIDS Research and Education Center.
The 73-year-old actress, using a wheelchair because of chronic back problems, wore a jeweled butterfly barrette in her hair, dozens of bracelets adorned her arms and an enormous diamond lit up her left hand.
In front of a crowd including rocker Tom Petty and actress Carrie Fisher, Taylor cut a red ribbon to officially open the center Friday and announced the creation of the Elizabeth Taylor Endowment Fund to support it.
Guess his docs did the trick
“We will be back,” tiger-mauled magician Roy Horn promised the crowd as he and partner Siegfried Fischbacher appeared at a Branson, Mo., resort.
Horn, 61, was partially paralyzed when a 380-pound white tiger attacked him onstage during a Las Vegas performance in 2003.
“I am making a remarkable recovery,” said Horn, who walked with the help of a cane. “The doctors have assured me I will be better than new.”
Hey, Sutton – break a leg
Tony-winning stage actress Sutton Foster fell and broke her arm in Los Angeles last week – while rehearsing a number called “I’m an Accident Waiting to Happen.”
“I wasn’t even dancing,” Foster said. “I was just stepping backward, and my feet went forward, and I fell backward and caught myself with my hands.”
She still plans to star in the upcoming “The Drowsy Chaperone,” although her stage moves will be limited.
The birthday bunch
Actor Norman Lloyd (“St. Elsewhere”) is 91. Singer Patti Page is 78. Actress Alfre Woodard is 52. Singer-songwriter Rickie Lee Jones is 51. Singer-actor Leif Garrett is 44. Actress Courtney Thorne-Smith (“According to Jim,”) is 38. Actress Parker Posey is 37. Actress Tara Reid is 30. TV personality Jack Osbourne is 20.