Atkinson’s sports car runs up massive bill
Everyone who’s had a fender bender knows the cost of repairs is going up. But few cars can be as costly to fix as “Mr. Bean” actor Rowan Atkinson’s rare McLaren F1.
It took more than a year – and more than $1.4 million – to get his supercar up and running after a 2011 crashthat left Atkinson with a badly damaged shoulder.
The high-performance car makes extensive use of carbon fiber and needed specialist care – it took weeks just to get a proper insurance estimate.
The unusual repair job is extensively documented in Classic & Sports Car magazine.
Atkinson told the magazine he believes supercars should be used, not sequestered in garages. “It depresses me when great cars are hidden away,” he said. “It’s a crime not to use it.”
Sutherland awarded pudding pot
Golden Globe-winning actor Keifer Sutherland has been awarded the pudding pot after being honored as Man of the Year by Harvard’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals.
The 46-year-old Sutherland has been in dozens of films. He’s perhaps best known for his role as Jack Bauer in the television series “24,” for which he won Golden Globe and Primetime Emmy awards. He is currently starring in the television show “Touch.”
‘Argo’ sweep continues in Britain
Iran-hostage drama “Argo” continued its journey from awards-season outsider to favorite Sunday, winning three prizes, including best picture, at the British Academy Film Awards.
Ben Affleck was named best director for the based-on-reality story of a long-shot plan to rescue a group of American diplomats from Iran after the 1979 Islamic Revolution, and the film also took the editing trophy.
Affleck, who has made a remarkable journey from little-regarded actor to award-winning director, dedicated his directing prize to “anyone out there who’s trying to get their second act.”
The birthday bunch
Actress Tina Louise (“Gilligan’s Island”) is 79. Actor Burt Reynolds is 77. Songwriter Gerry Goffin is 74. R&B singer Otis Clay is 71. Singer Sheryl Crow is 51. Actress Jennifer Aniston is 44. Singer Kelly Rowland (Destiny’s Child) is 32. Actor Taylor Lautner is 21.