Jennifer, Brad remain friendly
Indeed it is all over between Jennifer and Brad, although they claim to be still friendly. She bought a house; he bought a house; she continues to pursue that career she chose over motherhood. Her next film to be “The Break Up” for Universal co-starring Vince Vaughn. (An apt title wouldn’t you say?) She also has starring roles in “Rumor Has It,” “Friends with Money” and “Derailed.”
It was a sedate Chris Rock who emceed the dinner and auction to raise money for the Starlight Starbright Children’s Foundation. Honoring Steven Spielberg for his work on behalf of seriously ill children, the event raised $1.5 million. A really good, fun time was had by all, particularly when one bidder forked up $100,000 for lunch with “Desperate Housewives” star Teri Hatcher.
At other galas around Tinseltown, you should have seen the guests chowing down on soul food at the after-preem party for “Beauty Shop.” And for the “Miss Congeniality 2” bash, drag queens walked the red carpet impersonating Liza, Patti LaBelle, Tina Turner and the like, and they were a hoot, looking exactly like the ladies.
Aside to Bert H. of Macon, Ga. Yes. Keisha Knight Pulliam, who appears in “Beauty Shop” with Queen Latifah and Co., was little Rudy Huxtable on “The Cosby Show.” Now she’s all grown up, a college graduate with a degree in sociology. She was 4 when she starred with Bill Cosby. Now she plans to continue her acting career, and if the roles don’t come there’s always the sociology backup.
Hollywood Is Reading: “Don’t Move” by Margaret Mazzantini (Doubleday), brought to the screen starring Penelope Cruz and Sergi Castellito. A thriller you won’t want to put down. … “Rosa” by Jonathan Rabb (Crown), a mystery set in Berlin just after World War I. … “Long Spoon Lane” by Anne Perry (Ballantine). Sheeeee’s baaaaaack! And happily so. With Pitt and Charlotte and Lady Vespasia Cumming-Gould and Gracie and all the others who make for such a good read. This time about anarchists and the murder of one of their leaders. … “The Chairman” by Stephen Frey (Ballantine). All about the dark side of Wall Street. Money and mayhem.
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Bits ‘N’ Pieces: That was Robert Blake at L.A.’s famous Farmer’s Market. Some just stared, others hugged him, and still others hurled a few unsavory words at him. All in all it caused quite a commotion.
•Jane Fonda received thunderous applause from cast and crew when she appeared on set for “Monster In Law” after a long time away from the cameras.
•Joan Collins signing her new tome at Book Soup on Sunset Boulevard. She always manages to look gorgeous.
•So Britney is going to be a mom. Won’t that be something to see when she won’t even let her little puppy dog drink anything but BOTTLED water?
•I don’t know how these rumors get around, but there’s one out there now that Hilary and Chad are “thinking Mommy and Dad.”
•George Clooney and gal pal Lisa Snowdon, I’m told, are taking dance classes. I would have to see that to believe it.
•If all goes well, Robert Downey Jr. is set to wed Susan Levin in August.
•And can you believe this? A New Zealand court fined Hilary Swank $142 because she failed to declare an apple and an orange she was carrying in her tote when she visited that country in January. Bet she doesn’t hurry back there soon again.
•And didya know Samuel L. Jackson was a security guard before he became an actor?