UPI NewsTrack Entertainment News

Published: Aug. 13, 2008 at 1:00 PM
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Doctor: Isaac Hayes died of a stroke

MEMPHIS, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- A spokesman for the Shelby County Sheriff's department in Tennessee says soul music great Isaac Hayes died of a stroke brought on by chronic hypertension.

E! Online said Sheriff's spokesman Steve Schular cited paperwork filed by Hayes's family doctor when he released a statement announcing the cause of the singer and actor's death.

Hayes was discovered Sunday lying unconscious near a treadmill in his Memphis home and was declared dead a short time later. He was 65.

"The Hayes family is comfortable with Dr. Kraus's recommendation to not conduct an autopsy," E! Online quoted Schular as saying.

Hayes's family announced Tuesday that a public memorial service is to be Monday morning at Hope Presbyterian Church in Cordova, Tenn., the entertainment news Web site reported.

"We are overwhelmed with the outpouring of support and love from Isaac's dear friends, colleagues and fans from every corner of the world, and we thank each and every one of them for their kind thoughts and prayer," his family said in a statement. "While he was an iconic figure to many, to us he was husband, father and friend. We will ever miss his love, wisdom, humor and the familiar comfort of his voice."


Hayden Panettiere's dad released on bail

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Alan Panettiere, the father of U.S. television actress Hayden Panettiere, was released on bail following his arrest for felony domestic violence.

Hayden Panettiere, who turns 19 later this month, is best known for her portrayal of cheerleader Claire on the supernatural TV drama, "Heroes." She previously had roles on the soap operas "One Life to Live" and "Guiding Light."

People.com said the elder Panettiere, reportedly known as Skip, was released from police custody Monday afternoon after posting $50,000 bail.

He had been arrested early Monday morning for allegedly hitting the actress' mother in the family's West Hollywood home during an argument, the entertainment news Web site reported.

Panettiere told the TV program "Extra" the episode was "a misunderstanding."

He and his wife, Lesley, also told "Extra" host Mario Lopez, "Nothing actually happened."

"In fact, Lesley wasn't even aware that Skip had been arrested," Lopez reported. "Hayden found out about her dad's arrest when he called her from jail. They love each other very much and want everyone to know that the matter was completely blown out of proportion."


Report: Grenier and Lucas split up

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- U.S. television actor Adrian Grenier and Australian film actress Isabel Lucas have broken up, a source told People magazine.

Grenier is the star of the TV show "Entourage," while Lucas is currently working on "Transformers 2." The pair reportedly had been dating for several months.

The insider told People the celebrity couple split up about three weeks ago, shortly after Lucas was involved in a car accident, while riding in a truck driven by her "Transformers 2" co-star Shia LaBeouf.

"It wasn't working out," the source told the magazine. "Adrian saw her with Shia and that was kind of it -- the crash, their hanging out. He obviously didn't appreciate it."

Lucas's publicist confirmed to People that Lucas "is single," however, a representative for Grenier wasn't immediately available for comment, the magazine said.


Adam West may compete on 'Dancing'

NEW YORK, Aug. 13 (UPI) -- Adam West's publicist has confirmed the star of the classic U.S. television show "Batman" may compete on the next season of "Dancing with the Stars."

West, who is nearly 80, played the Caped Crusader on the action series in the 1960s.

"Adam is in outstanding shape," a source told the New York Post. "He works out an hour a day and walks with his big dog on his farm in Sun Valley, Idaho."

West's publicist confirmed that, while nothing is definite yet, the actor is "one of the people they are seriously looking at" for the next season of the dance competition show.

"They will decide on everyone on Aug. 25," the representative told the Post.


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


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