People: DiCaprio chips in $3 million for tigers
Leonardo DiCaprio wants to help the tiger population of Nepal. His Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation has awarded $3 million in grants to the World Wildlife Fund to work with the Nepal government on protecting the animals.
In a statement Wednesday, the actor and activist said he’s “hopeful” the money will help “exceed the goal” of doubling the tiger population that exists in Nepal.
The money will help build up antipoaching patrols and protect and restore areas for them to breed and expand. The hope is to increase the number of tigers in Nepal by 2022, which is the Chinese Year of the Tiger.
DiCaprio, 39, is a WWF board member.
John Prine diagnosed with cancer
Singer-songwriter John Prine said he’s been diagnosed with an operable form of lung cancer.
A note on the 67-year-old Prine’s website said he will undergo surgery next month, forcing the postponement of two dates in Louisville, Ky.
Prine said in the note that doctors found the cancer early and “see no reason why I won’t fully recover.” The cancer is not related to the squamous cell cancer on his neck for which he was treated in the mid-1990s.
The “Angel from Montgomery” singer postponed dates in Wisconsin earlier this month due to illness. Those concerts and two scheduled for next month in Louisville will be pushed to 2014. Prine will still play Dec. 6-7 dates in North Carolina.
Wolfe archives go to NYC library
The New York Public Library has acquired the archive of journalist and author Tom Wolfe. The library board of trustees approved the $2.15 million acquisition on Wednesday.
The collection includes manuscript drafts and outlines for most of Wolfe’s works. Wolfe’s books include “The Electric Kool-Aid Acid Test,” “The Right Stuff” and “The Bonfire of the Vanities.”
Library President Tony Marx said the papers will significantly add to the library’s holdings because of Wolfe’s “deep and meaningful ties to New York City.” Wolfe said in a statement that his longtime relationship with the library made it feel like his archive was “going home.”
The acquisition was largely paid for with a private donation.
The birthday bunch
Actor Robert Vaughn is 81. Actor Allen Garfield is 74. Animator and movie director Terry Gilliam is 73. Singer Jesse Colin Young is 72. Rock musician-actor Steve Van Zandt is 63. Rock musician Tina Weymouth (The Heads; Talking Heads; The Tom Tom Club) is 63. Actor Richard Kind is 57. Actress Jamie Lee Curtis is 55. Actress Mariel Hemingway is 52. Actor Mark Ruffalo is 46. Actress Scarlett Johansson is 29.