People: Dempsey ducks fans after divorce announcement
Actor and racecar driver Patrick Dempsey is trying to keep a low profile at the Rolex 24 at Daytona Beach, Florida.
A day after he and his wife announced they are divorcing after 15 years of marriage, Dempsey skipped an autograph session for fans – an event he usually takes part in – and was noticeably absent on the starting grid before the twice-around-the-clock endurance race at Daytona International Speedway.
The 49-year-old “Grey’s Anatomy” star spoke Friday before news broke that he and wife Jillian Fink mutually agreed to end their marriage.
He talked about being in the best shape of his life, which he’s hoping will have him prepared for a full racing schedule that includes at least 10 endurance events, and his next Hollywood project.
Deadheads request camping spots
Some Grateful Dead fans are asking to be allowed to camp out overnight in parking lots near Chicago’s Soldier Field during the band’s three concerts there in July.
Soldier Field spokesman Luca Serra said there will be an evaluation with police and others over the coming weeks. He said safety is priority.
Fans say it would be safer to let them stay in the area during the band’s 50th anniversary shows.
Jeremy Davis, of Florida, started an online petition asking that overnight parking be allowed in lots surrounding the venue along Lake Michigan.
His petition had 8,000 signatures by Saturday.
Pollack explores comedy-misery link
Does the best comedy come from pain? And does that mean comedians are the most miserable people of all?
That’s what comic Kevin Pollack wanted to discover in his documentary, “Misery Loves Comedy,” which premiered Friday at the Sundance Film Festival. He dedicated the film “in loving memory and gratitude” to his friend and mentor, Robin Williams, whose suicide last year came just as Pollack was finishing the project.
Pollack interviewed more than 60 comics, actors and funny folks to find out if comedy requires misery, and found the answer to be both yes and no.
“I just think you’re funnier when you’re miserable,” said Jimmy Fallon.
Said Lewis Black: “In order to become a comic, you have to love watching yourself die.”
The pain of life isn’t limited to comics and performers, Pollack said.
“Everyone has suffered through misery,” he said. “It is the human condition.”
The birthday bunch
Actor Gregg Palmer is 88. Actor Dean Jones is 84. Country singer Claude Gray is 83. Actress Jenifer Lewis is 58. Actress Dinah Manoff is 57. Blues singer Kina is 46. Actress Ana Ortiz is 44. Actress Mia Kirshner is 40. Actress Christine Lakin is 36. Rhythm-and-blues singer Alicia Keys is 34. “The Vampire Diaires” actor Michael Trevino is 30.