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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Kutcher takes on tech idol in ‘jOBS’

From Wire Reports

Ashton Kutcher says playing Steve Jobs on screen “was honestly one of the most terrifying things I’ve ever tried to do in my life.”

The 34-year-old actor helped premiere the biopic “jOBS” Friday, which was the closing-night film at the Sundance Film Festival.

Kutcher plays the Apple Inc. founder from the company’s humble origins in the 1970s until the launch of the first iPod in 2001. A digital entrepreneur himself, Kutcher said he considers Jobs a personal hero.

“He’s a guy who failed and got back on the horse,” Kutcher said. “I think we can all sort of relate to that at some point in life.”

While the filmmakers say they tried to be as historically accurate as possible, there was also a disclaimer at the very end of the credits that said portions of the film might not be completely accurate.

Still, realism was always the focus for Kutcher, who watched “hundreds of hours of footage,” listened to Jobs’ past speeches and interviewed several of his friends to prepare for the role.

Jobs died of complications from pancreatic cancer.

Canada denies Quaid’s request to stay

Canadian immigration officials have denied U.S. actor Randy Quaid’s request for permanent resident status in Canada.

A Canadian government official confirmed late Saturday his request for permanent status has been denied. The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. Quaid can appeal the decision to the federal court.

U.S. officials last year refused to seek extradition of the actor and his wife from Canada to face felony vandalism charges in Santa Barbara, Calif., but authorities in the coastal town say they’ll still have the couple arrested if they return to the country.

Quaid has sought to stay in Canada, claiming he was being hunted by “Hollywood star-whackers” who had killed his friends David Carradine and Heath Ledger.

Quaid’s trouble began in 2010 when he and his wife were arrested for causing more than $5,000 damage at a hillside home they were renting.

Quaid is the older brother of actor Dennis Quaid and is best-known for his roles in films such as “National Lampoon’s Vacation” and “Independence Day.” He won a Golden Globe award for his depiction of President Lyndon Johnson in a TV movie in the late 1980s.

The birthday bunch

Actor Alan Alda is 77. Actress Barbi Benton is 63. Singer Sam Phillips is 51. Guitarist Dan Spitz (Anthrax) is 50. Singer-songwriter Sarah McLachlan is 45. Rap artist DJ Muggs (Cypress Hill) is 45. Rapper Rakim is 45. Singer Anthony Hamilton is 42. Rapper Rick Ross is 36. Singer Joey Fatone (‘N Sync) is 36. Singer Nick Carter (Backstreet Boys) is 33. Actor Elijah Wood (“The Lord of the Rings”) is 32. Rapper J. Cole is 28. Actress Ariel Winter (“Modern Family”) is 15.