Art Metrano, a comic actor who made his mark in two Police Academy movies, died Wednesday at his home in Aventura, Florida, at 84. Metrano in his Police Academy drag (Image via Warner Bros.) His son Harry Metrano's Instagram post made the sad announcement: "Yesterday I lost my best friend, my mentor, my dad. He was…
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Dorothy Parker Q&A Discovered, Hayley Mills on ‘Parent Trap,’ Aretha Sang for J-Hud & More
Links to the past, with relevance today: Lamparski in a handout photo, Parker by Vandamm DOROTHY PARKER SOCIETY: You really have to listen to this hourlong interview from 1966 with the legendary Dorothy Parker, as conducted by Richard Lamparski. Until today, this recording was unknown, and it is the longest sit-down with Parker in existence.…
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Jane Withers, ’30s Child Star & Josephine the Plumber, Dies @ 95
Jane Withers, an actress known as a foil for Shirley Temple as a child actress, as a star of the movie classic Giant, and as larger-than-life Josephine the Plumber on a long-running series of TV spots, has died at 95. At the peak of her fame (Image via 20th Century Fox) Withers died Saturday evening,…
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Dolly on Britney, History of the Wheaties Box & More!
Links to the past, with relevance today: Go West, young lady! (Image via video still) GREG IN HOLLYWOOD: Dolly Parton recalls her lawsuit against Porter Wagoner while lending support to Britney Spears. She also compares herself to Mae West. It amazes me how Mae West is a punchline and Madonna is a source of contempt…
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Burstyn-Powered ‘Exorcist’ Trilogy Coming … but No Blair?!
Are you ready for not one but three new Exorcist films? You keep it away! (GIF via GIPHY) I don't know what possessed Universal, but they've signed David Gordon Green (known for the current Halloween series of reboots the first of which came out in 2018) to direct, and Ellen Burstyn to reprise her performance…
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Movie & TV Muscleman William Smith Dies @ 88
William Smith had a longer career in movies than George Burns or Olivia de Havilland, but while he was never a household name like they were, he was certainly a household face — and figure. Mr. Smith as he appeared in 2011 (Image by Matthew Rettenmund) Bill in his beefcake days, around 1961 On Kolchak:…
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Barbara Eden on Turning 90, Queen Latifah Comes Out, ‘Cops’ Creator Dies & More
Links to the past, with relevance today: Dreamy (Image by Matthew Rettenmund) THR: Barbara Eden, beloved TV icon, is indefatigable. Turning 90, she is now publishing a children's book, and is often a presence at autograph shows, where she is happy to chat about I Dream of Jeannie, her early appearance on I Love Lucy,…
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Norman Lloyd, Whose Career Spanned 9 Decades, Dies @ 106
Norman Lloyd, considered one of the world's oldest living actors, died Tuesday at his L.A. home at the incredible age of 106. Lloyd in Saboteur (Image via Universal) His death, reported by THR, was confirmed by his son, Michael. Born on November 8, 1914, in Jersey City, New Jersey, Lloyd grew up in Brooklyn, although he…
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‘Desperately Seeking Susan’ Director Talks Madonna, Anita Baker Urges Boycott, RIP Yaphet Kotto & More
Links to the past with relevance today: If you've never seen Susan, desperately seek it out! (Image via Susan Seidelman) VARIETY: Susan Seidelman, 68, talks about casting a young Madonna in Desperately Seeking Susan, the 1985 smash that enjoys an enduring following. Estrada on Kolchak: The Night Stalker (Image via ABC) BOY CULTURE: Happy 72nd…
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Brooke Shields Re-Learning to Walk, Ricki Lake Engaged, Woody Allen Slams Doc & More!
Links to the past with relevance today: Brooke has a positive outlook. (Images via Instagram) INSTAGRAM: Brooke Shields, 55, has to re-learn to walk after breaking her femur. She's taking it, quite literally, in stride, writing: "Broke my femur. Beginning to mend. No matter what your challenge is, make a positive choice, for yourself, to…
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