Actress Maureen Stapleton dead at 80
LENOX, Mass., March 13 (UPI) -- Oscar, Tony and Emmy-winning stage, film and TV actress Maureen Stapleton died Monday in Lenox, Mass., at age 80.
The emotionally fragile actress won two Tonys, an Emmy and an Oscar as well as multiple nominations in all three, the New York Times reported Monday.
Stapleton rose to stardom on Broadway in 1951 with her Tony Award-winning performance in Tennessee Williams' "The Rose Tattoo" opposite Eli Wallach, The New York Times reported Monday.
The stress of the show -- which ran for 300 performances on Broadway then toured for six months -- set Stapleton on a path of alcoholism and paranoia, which she battled throughout her career, the newspaper said.
She went on to star in several Williams' plays through the years as well as make her mark on both the big screen and TV.
She won her Emmy in 1967 for "Among the Paths to Eden," a Truman Capote story about a spinster and a widower.
Her second Tony was for Neil Simon's "The Gingerbread Lady" in 1970 and she won her Oscar for best supporting actress in the 1981 film "Reds."
Among her other screen roles were parts in "Bye Bye Birdie," "Miss Lonelyhearts," "Interiors," "Airport" and "Cocoon."
Twice divorced, Stapleton is survived by a son, a daughter and a brother.
'Chef' wants out of 'South Park' contract
NEW YORK, March 13 (UPI) -- Religious parody on "South Park" has led Isaac "Chef" Hayes to quit the Comedy Central cartoon.
Hayes, who has been with "South Park" since 1997, issued a statement Monday saying he has requested a release from the show because of recent episodes displaying "inappropriate ridicule of religious communities."
"There is a place in this world for satire, but there is a time when satire ends and intolerance and bigotry toward religious beliefs of others begins," Hayes said.
"Religious beliefs are sacred to people and at all times should be respected and honored. As a civil rights activist of the past 40 years, I cannot support a show that disrespects those beliefs and practices."
Hayes did not specify any episodes in particular, but a recent show called "Bloody Mary," which included the defiling a statue of the Virgin Mary drew fire from Roman Catholic groups.
Gibson headed to 'World News Tonight'
NEW YORK, March 13 (UPI) -- A New York Post columnist reports ABC News has tapped Charles Gibson to replace Bob Woodruff as the anchor of "World News Tonight."
ABC News will soon announce Gibson as Woodruff's "temporary permanent replacement," Cindy Adams reported Monday.
Gibson has been co-host of ABC's "Good Morning America" with Diane Sawyer since 1999.
"World News Tonight" co-anchor Elizabeth Vargas is scheduled in October to start maternity leave, which Adams said will be "lengthy."
Woodruff, who was seriously injured in an Iraqi bombing attack in January, is reported to be walking and talking, but is not expected to rejoin the nightly newscast for a least a year, Adams said.
Young Jeezy arrested in Florida shootout
MIAMI, March 13 (UPI) -- Atlanta rapper Young Jeezy has been arrested on weapons charges after a Miami Beach shootout, it was reported Monday.
No one was injured but several cars were damaged when gunfire broke out along a South Beach strip packed with spring break revelers Saturday morning, the Miami Herald reported.
The hip-hop hitmaker born Jay Jenkins was arrested on two counts of carrying a concealed firearm without permit, the newspaper said.
Police found a semi-automatic firearm under the seat of a sport utility vehicle Jenkins was riding in and a similar firearm near the armrest.
One of Jenkins' companions, producer Tramiel De Juan Golden, was charged with strong armed robbery for threatening a passerby who videotaped him fighting with several men before the shooting broke out, the newspaper said.
Jenkins' attorney, John Freeman, told the Herald his client was innocent and was "stopped for no reason."
