UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News

Published: Aug. 7, 2008 at 1:55 PM
Order reprints
Report: Case of Ledger's death is closed

NEW YORK, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- The U.S. investigation into Australian actor Heath Ledger's death has been closed, a source close to the case told the New York Daily News.

Ledger died of an accidental prescription drug overdose in Manhattan in January. He was 28.

The insider also told the Daily News the status of the investigation means actress Mary-Kate Olsen won't be served with a subpoena, demanding she disclose any information she has about the prescription drugs Ledger had been using.

Olsen's masseuse reportedly called her before dialing 911 to request help for Ledger, whom the masseuse is said to have found unresponsive at Ledger's home.

"A decision was made to close the case," a source familiar with the case told the Daily News.

Although Ledger had prescriptions for the Xanax, Valium and Restoril found in his system, he apparently did not have any for the OxyContin or Vicodin he had been taking.

"We don't know where he got the other narcotics. No one interviewed suggested (Olsen) gave him the drugs," a second insider told the newspaper. "But (Olsen) may have known where the drugs came from."

Olsen's lawyer, Michael Miller, released a statement earlier this week, insisting the actress "had nothing whatsoever to do with the drugs found in Heath Ledger's home or his body, and she does not know where he obtained them."


Lawyer: Morgan Freeman, wife divorcing

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Morgan Freeman's lawyer said the Hollywood actor and Myrna Colley-Lee, his wife of 24 years, are getting a divorce.

Freeman, whose latest movie "The Dark Knight" has been the No. 1 movie at the U.S. box office for the past three weeks, underwent surgery this week for injuries he sustained in a Mississippi car crash last weekend.

The 71-year-old actor's attorney and business partner Bill Luckett told "Access Hollywood" that Freeman and his spouse "are involved in a divorce action."

"And for legal and practical purposes, (Freeman and Colley-Lee) have been separated since December of 2007," Luckett told the entertainment news program.

Freeman sustained a broken arm and elbow, and injured his shoulder, in the accident Sunday night.

Although the crash is still under investigation, a spokesman for the Mississippi Highway Patrol told "Access Hollywood" no charges have been filed against Freeman and alcohol is not believed to have been a factor.


Stern sidekick Artie Lange in rehab

NEW YORK, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- Artie Lange's publicist told E! News the U.S. comedian and Howard Stern's radio-show sidekick has entered an outpatient rehab program.

It is unclear where and for what Lange is being treated.

E! said Lange recently canceled several stand-up gigs and a scheduled appearance on Comedy Central's roast of Bob Saget, which was taped in Los Angeles Sunday night.

Lange reportedly has battled a weight problem, and addictions to drugs and alcohol, for years.


Kidman asks for privacy in Australia

SYDNEY, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- U.S.-born Australian actress Nicole Kidman has asked the media to back off while she and husband Keith Urban show their baby daughter around Sydney.

Kidman gave birth to Sunday Rose, her first child with Urban, last month in Nashville.

The BBC said the Oscar-winning actress told radio's "2Day FM" she and Urban wanted some space "so we can walk around Sydney and show the baby our town."

Urban also requested that paparazzi refrain from getting right in his, his wife and his daughter's faces "because it's scary" for the newborn.

"Sometimes when people come right up in your face you think, 'Good God, would you do that to anybody else's child?'" he said.


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



Prosecutors drop Barry stalking case (5 min)
UPI NewsTrack Business (8 min)
NASA scientists study carbonate rocks (11 min)
Study: U.S. hospitals let too many die (15 min)
UPI NewsTrack Health and Science News (18 min)
Winnipeg, Canada, retains Slurpee title (25 min)
Crude oil prices rise slightly (29 min)
fark
Toronto mayor tries to tell world everything is fine; cut off as press conference attacked by giant...
"If it weren't for overdraft fees, 45% of banks and credit unions wouldn't have made money in 2008"...
Woman's cunning attempt to elude police during car chase ends when she A. Hits a tree B. Runs out...
Obama: Poorer nations should fight harder against global warming. Poorer Nations: Obama should EABOD....
Nielsen survey explains scientifically why your mom sends you five fwd:'s a day (with a minimum...
Photo processing company sued for handing over pics of stoner's pot harvest to cops. In related...