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STEVE FRANKEN: Character actor Steve Franken, best known for his work on TV's "The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis," has died of cancer in Los Angeles, his family said. He was 80.

Franken's wife, Jean, confirmed his Aug. 24 death to The New York Times. The type of cancer he suffered was not specified.

The New York-born actor's film credits include "The Fiendish Plot of Dr. Fu Manchu," "Which Way to the Front?," "Hardly Working," "The Missouri Breaks," "The Party" and "The Americanization of Emily." He was a frequent guest on TV shows such as "Bewitched," "Love, American Style," "Mission: Impossible" and "Seinfeld."

Franken is survived by his wife and their daughter, Anne; two daughters from his marriage to ex-wife Julia Carter -- Emily Franken and Abigail Glass -- and two grandchildren, the Times said Wednesday.

EDDIE VAN HALEN: U.S. rocker Eddie Van Halen has undergone an emergency operation for a severe bout of diverticulitis, his band's Web site said Thursday.

"No further surgeries are needed and a full recovery is expected within 4 to 6 months," the message said.

The group's scheduled November tour of Japan is being rescheduled.

"The band looks forward to seeing and playing for their fans in 2013," the online message said.

'JERSEY SHORE:' MTV says the upcoming sixth season of its reality show "Jersey Shore" will be its last.

Production has wrapped and the fresh run of episodes is to begin airing in October, The Hollywood Reporter said Thursday.

The show about a group of party people in their 20s living it up at a New Jersey beach house and traveling to Italy has been a ratings hit for the cable network. No reason was given for the cancellation, but some of the show's stars have publicly expressed their wishes to settle down and/or sober up.

MTV recently renewed its "Jersey Shore" spinoff "Snooki & JWoww" for a second season.

SOFIA VERGARA: Colombian-born actress Sofia Vergara has finally confirmed weeks-old reports, saying she is engaged to businessman Nick Loeb.

"I haven't started planning anything because everything has been very recent," Vergara told Celebuzz this week. "I just planned a very big birthday -- my 40th birthday in Mexico. More than 100 people came and celebrated with me and my family, closest friends and co-workers from 'Modern Family.' I am kind of, you know, working a lot -- I just started the 'Modern Family' season -- so I don't know yet [when I will get married]. No plans."

The celebrity news Web site said Loeb proposed to Vergara as they toured the Mayan ruins in Chichen Itza during her birthday trip to Mexico last month.