UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News

Published: Feb. 1, 2008 at 2:11 PM

Celebrities helped nix Heath tape

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Two U.S. TV gossip shows chose not to broadcast a controversial video of late actor Heath Ledger after some of his celebrity friends asked them to forget it.

The video reportedly shows Ledger, who died Jan. 22 at the age of 28, at a 2006 party discussing how he had smoked marijuana for years but had been trying to stay away from it.

Some people at the bash appear to be using illegal drugs but Ledger doesn't, ABC News said.

"Entertainment Tonight" and its sister show "The Insider" bought the video but said they decided not to broadcast it out of respect for Ledger's grieving family.

However, ABC News cited a source who said Ledger's fellow actors Natalie Portman, Sarah Jessica Parker, Josh Brolin and Ellen Page contacted the producers and asked that the full video not be shown Thursday after a promo about the footage was run Wednesday night.

"We reached out to other entertainers and publicists, but at no time did anyone threaten to boycott the show," Kelly Bush, chief executive officer of ID, the public relations firm that represented Ledger, told ABC News.

The cause of Ledger's death has not yet been determined.


McCartney denies heart surgery report

LONDON, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- British rock 'n' roll star Paul McCartney has denied media reports that he underwent coronary angioplasty last fall in England.

McCartney, 65, wrote in a message on his Web site that reports he had heart surgery were "completely distorted" and "untrue."

He said he wanted to clear up the rumors because friends have been calling and texting him to see if he is OK.

"I hadn't seen the report so I was puzzled by so many inquiries about my health. So I think it's a good time to put this rumor to rest," McCartney wrote. "What happened was, over a year ago, during a routine medical examination, there was a minor irregularity which I needed to have tests for and which I have now been assured is completely fine. The media have only just recently reported an exaggerated version of this and that is why people have been asking me if I am OK. So this is where the story has come from. The media reports have, as usual, completely distorted the story, calling it an angioplasty, which is entirely untrue."

The former Beatle also said he feels great and "passed my most recent medical with flying colors."


'Juno' passes $100M mark

LOS ANGELES, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Fox Searchlight announced its Oscar-nominated comedy "Juno" has become the Hollywood studio's first film to cross the $100 million mark at the box office.

Starring Ellen Page, Michael Cera, Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, J.K. Simmons and Allison Janney, the movie has been mentioned on more than 175 year-end Top 10 lists and earned four Oscar nominations, including one for Best Picture.

The film's box-office grosses eclipse the previous Fox Searchlight record of $71.5 million, which was set by "Sideways" in 2004.

"This is an astonishing feat for us and the film has surpassed all our expectations. When you have a quality film of this caliber made by amazingly talented filmmakers and actors who truly believe and support a project, you can only succeed," Fox Searchlight President Peter Rice said in a statement. "We knew this film had cross-over potential and it has resonated with audiences all across the country. The entire marketing, distribution and publicity team has poured its heart and soul into making this a phenomenal success and their efforts have been truly remarkable."

"Juno" was written by Diablo Cody and directed by Jason Reitman.


Actress Julie Christie weds

NEW YORK, Feb. 1 (UPI) -- Oscar-winning actress Julie Christie reportedly has married British journalist Duncan Campbell in India.

The wedding, which took place two months ago but was only revealed this week, marked the 66-year-old British actress' first marriage, the New York Post said Friday.

Christie won an Oscar for her performance in the movie "Darling" in 1965 and is nominated for another for her work in the 2007 film "Away From Her."

She has also starred in the movies "Doctor Zhivago," "McCabe & Mrs. Miller," "Nashville" and "Shampoo."

© 2008 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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