Aerosmith cancels rest of tour
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Rocker Steven Tyler said he is grateful the tumble he took from a stage last week at an Aerosmith concert in Sturgis, S.D., wasn't worse.
Tyler, 61, was hospitalized after he slipped and fell during a performance Aug. 5. Aerosmith has since announced it is canceling the remainder of its tour while Tyler recovers from his injuries, E! News said.
"I landed upside down, and after 20 stitches on the back of my head, and a broken left shoulder, I just want to say that I'm plain grateful that I didn't break my neck," People.com quoted Tyler as saying in a statement issued Thursday.
"I was doing the Tyler shuffle and then I zigged when I should have zagged ... and I slipped, and as I live on the edge ... I fell off the edge!" he recalled.
He went on to thank fans for their kind words and support, and to express his appreciation to police department and the helicopter crew "for getting me outta there before I bled to death," as well as "all the doctors and nurses at the Rapid City Hospital for putting my Humpty Dumpty ass back together again," People.com said.
Pete Seeger to receive Gish Prize
NEW YORK, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. folk musician and human rights activist Pete Seeger has been named the winner of the 2009 Dorothy and Lillian Gish Prize.
Seeger, 90, is to be presented with the award at a special outdoor tribute Sept. 3, in the South Bronx's newly-revitalized Hunts Point Riverside Park, in partnership with Rocking the Boat, a non-profit group that "uses traditional wooden boat-building and on-water education to help young people develop into empowered and responsible adults," organizers said in a release.
Seeger is expected to be joined at the event by his grandson, Tao Rodriguez-Seeger, as well as children who participate in Rocking the Boat programs.
Seeger will receive a $200,000 legacy from silent film stars Dorothy and Lillian Gish, as well as a silver medallion.
In her will, Lillian Gish specified the prize should be awarded annually to "a man or woman who has made an outstanding contribution to the beauty of the world and to mankind's enjoyment and understanding of life."
Previous Gish Prize recipients include Robert Redford, Bob Dylan, Arthur Miller and Frank Gehry.
"The Gish sisters' legacy recognizes the power of art to inform, entertain and encourage generation after generation," Seeger said in a statement.
Lost film of Stan Laurel discovered
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- An amateur home movie purported to be the last footage of the late British comedy star Stan Laurel is to be screened for the public, the film's owner said.
The clip is believed to contain the last known film images of Laurel, half of the famous comedy duo, Laurel & Hardy. It is said to have never been viewed publicly.
"The rare and historic 8 millimeter film, which captures a playful Laurel displaying his trademark impish smile while scratching his head, is just two minutes in length and was taken at his Santa Monica apartment by James and Irene Heffernan, a Los Angeles couple who were acquainted with the film comedian in his final years," a release describing the footage said. "According to Laurel's daughter, Lois Laurel Hawes, the film was made in late December of 1964, just two months before his death. A letter from Laurel to the Heffernans, dated Jan. 15, 1965, mentions their yuletide visit when, apparently, the footage was shot."
The film's present owner, actor/producer Tyler St. Mark bought the footage from the Heffernan estate. He plans to arrange for the film clip to be seen June 16, 2010, the comic's birthday.
"Stan Laurel performs a special gesture at the end of the film clip, which was clearly intended for his millions of fans worldwide and so we will help him deliver his message 46 years later -- on the 120th anniversary of his birthday," St. Mark said.
He did not offer details regarding where the footage will be screened.
Actor Jerry O'Connell starts law school
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 14 (UPI) -- Actor Jerry O'Connell has begun classes at Southwestern Law School in Los Angeles, a school official confirmed.
O'Connell, 35, is best known for his work in the films "Stand By Me," "Jerry Maguire" and "Kangaroo Jack," as well as in the TV shows "My Secret Identity," "Sliders," "Crossing Jordan" and "Carpoolers." He and his wife, model-actress Rebecca Romijn, are also the parents of twin girls born last January.
"He is very excited to be starting his law school education here at Southwestern," Leslie Steinberg, the school's Assistant Dean of Public Affairs, told Usmagazine.com about O'Connell and his new pursuit. "He just had orientation last week, and he started classes this week. ... (He was) very impressed with the faculty and the vibe here. This is brand new to him, as well. He's very much looking forward to his education."
O'Connell previously studied screenwriting at New York University.
