Ali humanitarian awards honor Carter
Former President Jimmy Carter headlines the list of firstr winners of humanitarian awards bearing Muhammad Ali’s name.
The nation’s 39th president was selected for the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Lifetime Achievement Award. Other recipients will include singers Christina Aguilera and Michael Bolton for the awards that promote achievements in the fight for social justice.
Ali, a former three-time heavyweight champion, plans to be in his hometown of Louisville, Ky., for the awards presentations on Oct. 3.
The winners were announced Thursday by the Muhammad Ali Center.
Aguilera will receive the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian of the Year Award while Bolton was chosen for the Muhammad Ali Humanitarian Award for Gender Equality.
The winners also include a six young adults and teenagers who are being recognized for exemplifying core principles espoused by Ali.
King named person of the year
Carole King will be honored as the MusiCares person of the year during the 2014 Grammy Awards week.
The Recording Academy announced Thursday that King will be saluted by performers Lady Gaga, the Dixie Chicks, Bette Midler, Steve Tyler, James Taylor and Jason Mraz. More performers will be announced later.
The fundraiser for the academy’s charitable foundation will be held Jan. 24 in Los Angeles, two nights before the Grammy Awards. Previous honorees include Bruce Springsteen, Paul McCartney and Neil Young.
A songwriter and performer with scores of hits from “Will You Love Me Tomorrow” to “You’ve Got a Friend,” King has won four Grammy Awards and was honored with a lifetime achievement award at this year’s ceremony.
Shakur biopic begins filming next year
A new biopic on slain rapper Tupac Shakur is coming.
Morgan Creek Productions and Emmett/Furla Films announced in a Thursday news release they are in final negotiations to partner on the production of “Tupac.” The picture will begin filming next year in Atlanta.
Gunned down in 1996 in Las Vegas, Shakur’s murder has not been solved. He remains a towering figure in rap music.
The film will be executive produced by Shakur’s mother, Afeni Shakur.
The birthday bunch
Actress-comedian Anne Meara is 84. Actress Sophia Loren is 79. Hockey Hall of Famer Guy LaFleur is 62. Rock singers Gunnar Nelson and Matthew Nelson are 46. Singer The Dream is 36. Actress Crystle Stewart is 32. Rapper Yung Joc is 31.