Actor Peter Graves dies at 83
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif., March 15 (UPI) -- Peter Graves, the star of TV's "Mission Impossible" and the movie spoof "Airplane!" died of a heart attack in California, his business manager said. He was 83.
Graves' business manager, Fred Barman, told The New York Times the actor died Sunday at his home in Pacific Palisades, Calif.
Graves -- the brother of "Gunsmoke" star James Arness -- appeared in films including "Stalag 17," "The Night of the Hunter" and "Long Gray Line." His list of film credits also included "Killers From Space," "It Conquered the World" and "Beginning of the End."
In 1955 he starred in the TV series "Fury," which ran until 1959 on NBC. He became familiar to viewers as Jim Phelps -- the leader of a clandestine spy force on "Mission Impossible," which aired on CBS from 1966-73 and was briefly revived on ABC from 1988-90.
Graves gained a younger fan base with his appearance -- alongside other Hollywood veterans including Robert Stack and Leslie Nielson -- in the disaster movie send-up "Airplane!"
Born Peter Aurness in Minneapolis, March 18, 1926, Graves served in the Army Air Force in 1944-45 before studying theater at the University of Minnesota.
Graves' TV work also included stints as host of specials on the science series "Discover," and a long run as host of "Biography" on the Arts and Entertainment Network. During a 1997 segment in which he was the subject of the episode, Graves said he was at first appalled when his agent sent him the script for "Airplane!" the Times reported.
He advised filmmakers -- David and Jerry Zucker and Jim Abrahams -- to get a comedian to play the character, a pedophile airline pilot, but they persuaded him the key to the movie's comedy was that the actors would play the script straight.
Graves is survived by his wife, Joan Graves, and three daughters, as well as his brother.
Feldman won't attend Haim's funeral
LOS ANGELES, March 15 (UPI) -- U.S. actor Corey Feldman says he doesn't plan to attend the funeral of his best friend and fellow former child star, Corey Haim, in Toronto Tuesday.
Haim died Wednesday at the age of 38 after battling substance abuse for years. The cause of his death has not been determined. A funeral is planned in his home town in Canada.
"In the days following my best friend Corey Haim's death, I have spent much time with his mother Judy, who has always been like a mother to me," Feldman said in a statement issued to E! News.
"I would love nothing more than to be by her side at Corey's funeral, however, due to their strong religious beliefs and need for privacy, the family has decided to make Corey's funeral on Tuesday a small private affair," Feldman said. "Understanding the recent media attention and to be respectful of the family's wishes, I have decided not to attend."
Feldman said he is planning a memorial for Haim in Los Angeles early next month.
Two members will miss Hollies induction
LONDON, March 15 (UPI) -- The two remaining original members of The Hollies said they will miss the band's Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame induction in New York because of a prior engagement.
Former Hollies members Graham Nash and Allan Clarke will represent the band at Monday's induction ceremony. Drummer Bobby Elliott and guitarist Tony Hicks couldn't make it because of a British tour they told the BBC had been booked for 12 months when the Hall of Fame officials announced the band would join this year's class of Abba, Genesis, The Stooges and Jimmy Cliff.
"There was no way we could get an alternative date for these venues," Elliott said.
"Our fans in this country are a priority," he said. "It's a great honor to be in the Rock 'n' Roll Hall of Fame, no doubt about it. But it's just one of those things."
The Hollies -- with hits such as "Bus Stop," "He Ain't Heavy He's My Brother," "The Air That I Breathe" and "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" -- had more U.S. hits than any other British band but The Beatles and Rolling Stones from 1964 to 1975, the BBC said.
Elliott said he wished Nash and Clarke well "and I hope they bring my award back in one piece."
Lady Gaga announces N. American tour
LOS ANGELES, March 15 (UPI) -- Pop star Lady Gaga says the 2010 North American leg of her Monster Ball Tour is to begin June 28 at Montreal's Bell Centre.
The recording artist Monday announced her return to North America on the heels of her sold-out European tour.
She is expected to perform at 31 arenas in the United States and Canada throughout the summer and fall.
"In keeping with Lady Gaga's flair for the theatrical, as well as her innovative and creative spirit, the second leg of the tour promises to push the limits of the live concert experience, bringing fans a spectacle even more eye-popping than what they experienced during the thrilling first leg of The Monster Ball," Live Nation said in a news release.
The upcoming North American dates are to be presented by Virgin Mobile.
"We are excited to take our partnership with Lady Gaga and The Monster Ball Tour to another level," said Bob Stohrer, vice president of marketing for Virgin Mobile USA.
