People : Won’t sign? Well, exc-u-u-u-se me!
Judd Apatow, writer/director of “Knocked Up” and “The 40-Year-Old Virgin,” is doubtless already a hero to kids who want to break into film or comedy.
But back in the day, he was just a kid himself dying for the autograph of his own hero – Steve Martin.
Apatow told an audience at the recent New Yorker Festival how, while on vacation in California as a boy, he spotted Martin washing his car in front of his home.
The young Apatow jumped out of the car and asked for an autograph, but Martin said he didn’t give autographs at his home.
“Please, we won’t tell anyone,” Apatow begged.
Sorry, Martin insisted, but no.
So Apatow went home and wrote the comedian a nasty letter, in which he gave an early glimpse of his now well-documented talent for profanity.
Three months later, he received a package from Martin that contained a copy of his book “Cruel Shoes.”
“I’m sorry,” read the inscription. “I didn’t realize I was speaking to THE Judd Apatow.”
Losing her freedom
Michelle Rodriguez has been sentenced to six months in jail for violating probation from a drunk driving incident.
The former “Lost” star must report to the Los Angeles county jail on Christmas Eve.
Rodriguez, 29, violated her probation by failing to provide proof of community service and consuming alcohol three times while wearing an alcohol monitoring device.
Family values
Paul McCartney and Heather Mills appeared in court Thursday amid speculation they may be nearing a settlement in their divorce. The British press has put the size of the settlement at between $40 million and $100 million.
And Britney Spears was back before a court commissioner requesting overnight visits with her two young sons, after losing temporary custody to ex-husband Kevin Federline. No ruling was made.
Justice is served up
Elsewhere on the celebrity legal beat:
“Wesley Snipes‘ tax evasion trial has been postponed until early next year after the actor fired his legal team.
“A judge has cleared the way for celebrity blogger Perez Hilton to be questioned about his report claiming Lindsay Lohan‘s friend planted cocaine found in the actress’ car after a crash.
“Sean “Diddy” Combs does not have to provide photos of his rings to a man who claims the rapper hit him outside a Hollywood club.
So who is all wet?
On the medical front, former “Baywatch” star David Hasselhoff was treated overnight at an L.A. hospital after an alcoholism relapse.
But singer Bobby Brown is denying his attorney’s claim he was hospitalized for a night after a mild heart attack, saying he went in for a checkup and received a clean bill of health.
The birthday bunch
Comedian-activist Dick Gregory is 75. Singer Sam Moore (Sam and Dave) is 72. News correspondent Chris Wallace is 60. Actress-singer Susan Anton is 57. Actor Hugh Jackman is 39. Fiddler Martie Maguire (Dixie Chicks) is 38. Actor Kirk Cameron is 37.