Brandon Was An Angel Well Before His Time

Some actors might be a little bit leery about appearing in the sequel to a movie whose original star died on the set.

But Vincent Perez, leading man in the new “The Crow: City of Angels,” wasn’t bothered one bit by following in the footsteps of Brandon Lee (son of late martial arts film star Bruce Lee), who was killed in a prop gun accident during the filming of “The Crow” in 1993.

“I don’t believe in superstition and stories about bad luck and karma,” the Swiss-born Perez told Entertainment Weekly. “I’m sorry about what happened to Brandon, but I’m bringing my story to the part, my journey.”

There were no mishaps on the set this time around. “I think everyone bent over backwards to be careful,” said co-star Mia Kirshner.

Loose talk

Paul Reiser (“Mad About You”), host of Sunday’s Emmy awards (in TV Guide): “The wings of the Emmy, they’re very sharp and pointy. So, unlike an Oscar, an Emmy could blind you. An Emmy could poke an eye out. And that’s something most awards cannot do.”

He’s apparently no relation to Frederick Harlan

David Allen Coe turns 57 today.

Or maybe it’s another Brandon act of violence

Brandon Call, the original Hobie on “Baywatch” who now plays JT Lambert on ABC’s “Step by Step,” was shot in both arms Tuesday night in Los Angeles by a couple who chased him in their car. While the facts aren’t clear, police suspect it had something to do with a traffic dispute.

Must be all of those years of silly love songs

Responding to rumors, former Beatle Paul McCartney says wife Linda has made a full recovery following breast cancer surgery in December. “She is doing incredibly well and all the doctors are amazingly pleased with her,” McCartney said. “Linda is the most positive person on earth. She’s fantastic. That’s the thing about this, you have to be positive.”

Sometimes you have to take life by the horns

Robert Urich, battling a rare form of groin cancer, in a “PrimeTime Live” interview: “There’s an old Spanish proverb that goes, ‘It is not the same to talk of bulls as it is to be in the bull ring.’ Well, I’m here to tell you that I am standing in the bull ring and I’m staring into the eyes of a snorting bull.”

Guess none of us are really made of steel

Margot Kidder, who was discovered dazed and disoriented in a stranger’s L.A. back yard in April, will discuss her struggle with manic depression in an interview with Barbara Walters on ABC’s “20/20” tonight. Kidder, who played Lois Lane in the “Superman” films, also will guest star on the Sept. 15 episode of “Boston Common.”

There are still a few good simian samaritans

No one was happier to hear about Binti Jua, the zoo gorilla who rescued a 3-year-old boy who fell into her cage, than old “King Kong” star Fay Wray. Wray said Ms. Jua restored a reputation the gorilla has lost “ever since Kong took me to the top of the Empire State Building.”

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