London gives Morgan Freeman city award
The city of London has given Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman the Freedom of the City award.
The time-honored ceremony makes Freeman a freeman in the city of London.
The award is believed to have originated in the 13th century. It allows Freeman to carry out his trade.
Freeman was honored for his acting and his charitable works. The 77-year-old Freeman has acted in dozens of films, including “The Shawshank Redemption,” “Million Dollar Baby,” “Driving Miss Daisy” and “Unforgiven.”
Plant denies Zeppelin reunion claims
Robert Plant said there’s no truth to reports that he turned down a lucrative offer from Virgin boss Richard Branson to play Led Zeppelin reunion shows.
A statement from Plant spokesman Ken Weinstein said the singer “has not been in receipt of any offers in recent months” about Led Zeppelin gigs, and hasn’t met or communicated with Branson in 50 years.
Citing a Led Zeppelin song, Branson said in a blog post he was “dazed and confused” by reports he had offered the band $800 million to reform.
Led Zeppelin disbanded after drummer John Bonham died in 1980. Surviving members Plant, Jimmy Page and John Paul Jones last performed together in 2007.
March of Dimes recognizes actress
“Hunger Games” actress Elizabeth Banks will be honored with the March of Dimes’ 2014 Grace Kelly Award, which recognizes celebrities who champion healthy pregnancies.
Host Jason Bateman will present Banks with her award at the ninth annual Celebration of Babies luncheon on Dec. 5. Banks has two boys born to the same surrogate, Felix, 3, and Magnus, 1.
“As a mother, you realize very early on when you’re holding your baby that your greatest wish for them is that they are happy and healthy,” Banks said in a statement. She praised March of Dimes for its ongoing dedication to helping families with premature births and birth defects.
The birthday bunch
Producer-director Garry Marshall is 80. Actor Joe Mantegna is 67. Actor Chris Noth is 60. Actress-comedian Whoopi Goldberg is 59. Actor Neil Flynn is 54. Comedian Jimmy Kimmel is 47. Actor Steve Zahn is 47. Actor Gerard Butler is 45. Actor Jordan Bridges is 41.