‘Sexiest’ label surprises Damon
Matt Damon has been named the “sexiest man alive” by People magazine, an honor that has been bestowed twice on his pals George Clooney and Brad Pitt.
The 37-year-old actor is featured on the cover of People’s annual issue. Damon, who is married to Luciana Bozan, told the magazine in a letter that “You gave an aging suburban dad the ego boost of a lifetime. My 9-year-old stepdaughter now thinks I’m cool – well, cooler.”
Damon, who has a 1-year-old daughter, Isabella, with Bozan, says “all the campaigning” by Clooney and Pitt had finally paid off.
People’s “sexiest man alive” list began in 1985 with Mel Gibson. Others on the list: Clooney (1997 and 2006), Pitt (1995 and 2000), Denzel Washington (1996) and Johnny Depp (2003).
Paris not really that shallow
This just in: Lori Berk, a publicist for Paris Hilton, says the socialite never made any comments about helping drunken elephants in India. A story including the supposed quotes was sent out by news wire services on Tuesday.
No-fuss nuptials for Pompeo
“Grey’s Anatomy” star Ellen Pompeo, 38, promised she wouldn’t have a big wedding. She kept her promise by tying the knot with record producer Chris Ivery last Friday in a ceremonial office at New York’s City Hall. Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Deputy Mayor Patti Harris were the only two witnesses, and an official from the city clerk’s office performed the ceremony.
It didn’t promise she would win
Marie Osmond says the Bible inspired her return to ABC’s “Dancing With the Stars” following the death of her father, George Osmond, last week. Osmond said on Monday’s live broadcast that she found comfort in the Bible when she randomly opened a passage from Ecclesiastes.
“It said … there’s a time to mourn and a time to dance,” she said. “And I felt like it was almost from my dad saying, ‘This is your time to dance.’ ” She received Monday night’s lowest score – 49 out of 60 possible points from the judges – but fan votes earned her another week.
Another reason to retire early
Dick Clark and Ryan Seacrest will ring in 2008 as co-hosts of “Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve” on ABC. Clark, 77, missed the show in 2004 when he suffered a stroke. He has been back in business for the past two years with Seacrest as co-host, counting down to midnight from New York’s Times Square before a TV audience of millions.
Seacrest, 32, is expected to eventually succeed Clark as host of the show.
The birthday bunch
“People’s Court” judge Joseph Wapner is 88. Actor Ed Asner is 78. Actor John Kerr (“South Pacific”) is 76. Singer Petula Clark is 75. Actress Joanna Barnes (“The Parent Trap”) is 73. Actor Sam Waterston (“Law and Order”) is 67. Singer Anni-Frid Lyngstad of ABBA is 62. Actor James Widdoes (“Animal House”) is 54. Actress Beverly D’Angelo is 53. News correspondent John Roberts is 51. Bandleader Kevin Eubanks (“The Tonight Show with Jay Leno”) is 50. Rapper E-40 is 40. Country singer Jack Ingram is 37. Singer Chad Kroeger of Nickelback is 33.