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Family says Swayze is determined, hopeful

LOS ANGELES, March 13 (UPI) -- Patrick Swayze's family and friends said the Hollywood actor is staying strong in his battle against pancreatic cancer.

Swayze, 55, is best known for his roles in "The Outsiders," "Dirty Dancing," "Ghost" and "Road House." It was announced last week that he was undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer.

"I've never seen him scared of anything." his sister-in-law Maria Haapaniemi told Us Weekly magazine. "He deals with everything the same way. He's determined, enthusiastic, full of energy and hope. ... We appreciate the love that's coming back to Patrick from all his fans."

"He is what we would like America to be," his longtime acting coach Milton Katselas told the magazine. "He is that wholesome, that alive -- healthy, vigorous, honest. ...If anybody can beat the odds, it's Patrick. He's going to end up inspiring us all."

David Hernandez voted off of 'Idol'

LOS ANGELES, March 13 (UPI) -- David Hernandez, an aspiring pop star from Arizona, was voted off the popular U.S. television singing competition series "American Idol" Wednesday night.

He was the first of the top 12 contestants to be eliminated, People.com said.

"Things happen for a reason," Hernandez told host Ryan Seacrest upon hearing the decision. "We all have a plan, and on top of that, you know, you'll see me at the top … this isn't it for me."

The top 12 contestants were challenged to perform songs from the Beatles songbook on Tuesday's edition of the show, which was then voted on by 29 million viewers.

Hernandez sang "I Saw Her Standing There," which judge Randy Jackson described as "overdone" and judge Simon Cowell said was "verging on desperate."

Hernandez made headlines recently when it was revealed he previously worked as a dancer at Dick's Cabaret, a male strip club in Phoenix.

Van Halen's ex: He's not in rehab

LOS ANGELES, March 13 (UPI) -- Eddie Van Halen did not postpone numerous U.S. dates on his concert tour because he is in rehab, his ex-wife, Valerie Bertinelli, has said.

"The reports about him being in rehab are wrong. Eddie is sober," Bertinelli told People.com Wednesday. "He's being proactive about his illness."

Bertinelli declined to offer any details regarding Van Halen's ailment or condition, however.

"I don't think it's my place (to comment,)" she told the magazine.

"I talk to him about every other day. He wants to get back on tour. I think they'll be back on the road by April 19."

The band announced on its Web site this week that it was temporarily suspending its tour because Van Halen is under doctors' care and undergoing tests.

The message said the band planned to resume its tour April 19 and would announce rescheduled dates shortly.

Bertinelli and Van Halen have a 16-year-old son, Wolfgang, who is touring with the band as its bassist.

Sean Connery pens autobiography

GLASGOW, Scotland, March 13 (UPI) -- Scottish film great Sean Connery reportedly has finished his autobiography "Being a Scot," which is to be published by Weidenfeld and Nicolson this fall.

The Scotsman newspaper said the book, which features 400 photos from the actor's collection, combines Connery's life story with a look at Scotland's history and culture.

"I'm very excited about this book," publisher Alan Samson told the Scotsman. "There's a book called 'England Made Me.' This is really how Scotland made me. We can't pretend it's something it isn't. It is not a book of titillating revelations about the women in his life, nor will it be sold that way."

"The book really reflects the life and film achievements of this extraordinary man. It reflects topics of Scottish culture, high and low," added Murray Grigor, Connery's longtime friend and the co-author of the book.

Connery, 77, has appeared in dozens of films, including "The Untouchables," "Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade," "The Hunt for Red October" and "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen."

He also played secret agent James Bond in movies such as "Never Say Never Again," "Goldfinger," Diamonds are Forever" and "Dr. No."