Advertisement

People in the news

By United Press International
Anna Faris, a cast member in the motion picture comedy "What's Your Number", attends the premiere of the film at the Regency Village Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles on May 22, 2011. UPI/Jim Ruymen
Anna Faris, a cast member in the motion picture comedy "What's Your Number", attends the premiere of the film at the Regency Village Theatre in the Hollywood section of Los Angeles on May 22, 2011. UPI/Jim Ruymen | License Photo

The latest news on today's hottest celebrities ...

ELLEN DEGENERES: Ellen DeGeneres said she is fine after suffering unexplained chest pains on the Burbank, Calif., set of her talk show Monday.

Advertisement

"You know I like to tell you what's going on in my life. So today, I will tell you what's going on in my life because TMZ is also telling you what's going on in my life," E! News said the 53-year-old comedian told her audience at Monday's taping of her show. "So, I'll tell you at the same time that they're telling you. What happened was, last night I was having chest pains. So this morning the paramedics came to look at me. First of all, I'm fine. Let me just say, 'I'm fine.' The paramedics were strippers that I had called. That's how the rumors got started."

Advertisement

DeGeneres said she felt tightness in her chest when she was sleeping the night before, but blamed the two cats lying across her for her discomfort.

"Then I got to work and it was still happening," E! said she added. "I was still feeling the pains. So I was like: 'Ya know, I should check this out. It's better to be safe than sorry.' Who doesn't want to see a fireman occasionally? We called the paramedics here on the Warner Bros. lot and about 50 trucks and ambulances, like one marching band short of a parade, showed up outside of my office. Then they come in with an ax, break the door down. It was open. I don't know why they did that. I don't know what it is but it's fine. ... I have a baboon heart that I had put in earlier ... It's not true. But I want to say thank you to all the paramedics and the nurses who showed up and everybody and TMZ for caring so much ... I appreciate it. Thank you!"


JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE: U.S. pop star and actor Justin Timberlake has signed on to play 1970s-era music-industry titan Neil Bogart in the movie "Spinning Gold," Boardwalk Films said.

Advertisement

Bogart was the founder of Casablanca Records, a label that boasted such popular acts as KISS, Parliament, Donna Summer and The Village People.

He died of cancer and lymphoma at age 39 in 1982.

"Spinning Gold" marks Timberlake's first venture as a feature producer. Timothy Scott Bogart, who also is writing the script, Evan "Kidd" Bogart, and Gary A. Randall, founding partners of Boardwalk Entertainment Group, also will produce, while Rick Yorn is serving as executive producer on the project.

Boardwalk Records is producing the album in conjunction with the movie, including classic hits re-imagined by contemporary artists.

"This movie is literally three decades in the making, but we knew that without the perfect actor to bring our father to life on film, his essence and impact on the lives and careers he inspired would never be fully captured -- from the moment we met Justin, we knew we'd found our Neil Bogart. With Justin also a producer on the movie, together we're crafting this saga about a young dreamer who started with nothing and came of age in the 60s and 70s, believing anything was possible and every risk was worth taking. Though he died at only 39, he lived to see all his dreams come true," Boardwalk Entertainment Group partner, producer and screenwriter Tim Bogart said in a statement Monday.

Advertisement

Tim and Evan Bogart are Neil Bogart's sons.


ROBERTA FLACK: U.S. singer Roberta Flack is working on a new CD of Beatles covers, set for release in February, 429 Records said Monday.

The four-time Grammy Award-winning artist also is planning a concert tour to support her forthcoming, as-yet-untitled CD.

A single from the collection, her version of "We Can Work It Out," will be available worldwide Tuesday exclusively at iTunes.

"My passion for this project comes from the magical genius of the greatest songwriters of all time," Flack said in a statement. "Love, inspiration, friendship and my own life's lessons come together when I sing the songs they created. I am honored to be a part of the fabulous legacy of the Beatles."


ANNA FARIS: Ben Stiller and Anna Faris have been booked as guest hosts of the U.S. sketch comedy series "Saturday Night Live" this fall, NBC announced Monday.

Stiller, a former "SNL" cast member, will serve as host for the second time Oct. 8, the same night the rock band Foster the People makes its first appearance on the show as musical guest.

Stiller has written, starred in, directed, and produced more than 50 films. He will next be seen in the feature film, "Tower Heist," due out Nov. 4.

Advertisement

Faris will get her second turn as "SNL" guest host Oct. 15. Faris will soon be seen in the upcoming romantic comedy "What's Your Number." Her other film credits include "The House Bunny" and the "Scary Movie" franchise. She lent her voice to a character in the animated feature film "Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs."

Recording star Drake will perform on "SNL" the night Faris serves as host.

Latest Headlines