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Theater producer Martin Richards dies

NEW YORK, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Theater and film producer Martin Richards has died at his Manhattan home, his representatives said. He was 80.

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The Broadway icon died Monday. The cause of his death was not immediately disclosed.

Among his hit shows were "On the Twentieth Century," "Sweeney Todd," "La Cage Aux Folles," "Grand Hotel," "The Life," "Will Rogers Follies" and many others. His plays and musicals have won more than 40 Tony Awards, as well as numerous Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Awards.

In addition, his production of "Crimes of the Heart" garnered the Pulitzer Prize.

Richards was the producer of the original "Chicago" on Broadway and went on to win an Academy Award for producing the film version in 2003.

His other films include "The Shining," "Boys From Brazil" and "Fort Apache, The Bronx."

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Richards was also a generous philanthropist.

He, along with his late wife, Mary Lea Johnson Richards, was instrumental in founding Broadway Cares/Equity Fights Aids and Meals on Wheels. Richards helped establish the liver and kidney transplant unit at the NYU Medical Center that bears his wife's name. Richards also created the New York Center for Children to care for abused children and their families.

Richards was the son of the late Sidney and Shirley Klein. He is survived by his brother, Bruce Klein; his niece, Lisa Kirschner; and nephew, Sean Klein.

Funeral services will be held at Frank Campbell Funeral Chapel at 1076 Madison Avenue in Manhattan. Visitation hours will be Wednesday from 7-9 p.m. and Thursday from 2-4 p.m. and 7-9 p.m.

Donations may be made in Richards' name to either the New York Center for Children or the Mary Lea Johnson Richards Research Institute.


'Moonrise Kingdom' wins top Gotham Award

NEW YORK, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- "Moonrise Kingdom," Wes Anderson's quirky story about first love and summer camp, was named Best Feature at the IFP Gotham Independent Film Awards in New York.

Director David France's AIDS-themed "How to Survive a Plague" was declared Best Documentary Feature.

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Actor-musician-director Jared Leto's documentary "Artifact" won the Gotham Independent Film Audience Award and "An Oversimplication of Her Beauty," directed by Terence Nance, earned the Best Film Not Playing at a Theater Near You Award.

The stars of "Your Sister's Sister" -- Mark Duplass, Emily Blunt and Rosemarie Dewitt -- scooped up the prize for Best Ensemble Cast.

"Beasts of the Southern Wild" director Benh Zeitlin took home the prize for Breakthrough Director and the Breakthrough Actor Award went to Emayatzy Corinealdi for "The Middle of Nowhere."


'Sherlock' won't air in U.S. until 2013-14

LONDON, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- New episodes of the British detective drama "Sherlock" likely won't air in the United States until late 2013 or early 2014, EW.com reported.

Production on the show's third season has been pushed back from January to March to accommodate the film schedules of the show's stars Benedict Cumberbatch and Martin Freeman, the entertainment news website said.

The BBC has not announced a U.K. premiere date for Season 3 of the show, which is set in modern-day London, EW.com said. Each season of the series airs in England before its U.S. broadcast.

Cumberbatch will soon be seen in "Star Trek Into Darkness" and Freeman is the star of "The Hobbit."

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Anna Nicole's daughter models for Guess

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 27 (UPI) -- Anna Nicole Smith's 6-year-old daughter, Dannielynn Birkhead, appears in the Guess Kids spring 2013 campaign, the clothing company said.

People.com said this marks the child's modeling debut.

Her mother was the face of the brand in 1992.

She died of an accidental drug overdose in 2007 at the age of 39. Dannielynn's father is professional photographer Larry Birkhead.

"Dannielynn has the same playful spirit that her mother had on set," People.com quoted Guess creative director Paul Marciano as saying. "She is a second-generation Guess girl."

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