Cruise has no wish for rock stardom
Tom Cruise attended the European premiere of his new film “Rock of Ages” in London’s Leicester Square on Sunday and was joined on the red carpet by fellow stars Julianne Hough, Russell Brand, Paul Giamatti and Mary J. Blige.
Cruise plays the tattooed – and frequently shirtless – rock star Stacee Jaxx in the tribute to the big-haired, big-riffing glam metal sound of the 1980s. But when asked if he would prefer the life of a movie star or a rock star, Cruise said he would stick with his day job.
“I love my job, and I feel very privileged to be able to do it. It has been a dream of mine, and I love what I do,” he said.
Based on the musical hit, the movie tells the story of small-town girl Sherrie (Hough) and city boy Drew (Diego Boneta) who share a dream of reaching dizzying heights in Hollywood. Their glittery romance is set to a rock ’n’ roll soundtrack that includes hits from Def Leppard, Foreigner, Bon Jovi and Poison.
Lunch with Buffett now costs $3.5 mil
The cost to dine privately with Nebraska billionaire investor Warren Buffett has apparently spiked in value, with one deep-pocketed bidder forking over a record-breaking $3,456,789 during a charity auction Friday.
The auction benefits the Glide Foundation, which helps the homeless in San Francisco. Buffett has raised more than $11.5 million for the group in 13 past auctions. The event provides a significant portion of Glide’s roughly $17 million annual budget that pays for social services to the poor and homeless.
“We just had a most amazing, shocking experience occur in our great city,” Glide’s founder, the Rev. Cecil Williams, said in a statement Friday night. “We are shouting, dancing, rejoicing and celebrating.”
The organization said Friday’s winning bidder wished to remain anonymous. Williams said 10 people actively engaged in bidding.
The previous four winning bids have all exceeded $2 million, with records set every year. Last year’s winner, hedge fund manager Ted Weschler, paid $2,626,411.
The birthday bunch
Actor Gene Wilder is 79. Actor Chad Everett is 75. Actress Adrienne Barbeau (“Maude”) is 67. Drummer Frank Beard (ZZ Top) is 63. Singer Donnie Van Zant (.38 Special, Van Zant) is 60. Actor Peter Bergman (“The Young and the Restless”) is 59. Actor Hugh Laurie (“House”) is 53. Country singer Bruce Robison is 46. Actor Peter Dinklage (“Game of Thrones”) is 43. Bassist Smilin’ Jay McDowell (BR5-49) is 43. Bassist Tai Anderson (Third Day) is 36. Actor Joshua Jackson (“Fringe,” “Dawson’s Creek”) is 34. Actor Shia LaBeouf is 26.