'Game of Thrones' star's ear bitten off
LONDON, March 26 (UPI) -- Clive Mantle's agent says the former "Game of Thrones" cast member was attacked and part of his ear bitten off during an argument in a British hotel.
Mantle, 55, played Greatjon Umber during Season 1 of "Game of Thrones." He also is famous for playing surgeon Mike Barrett on the BBC medical drama "Casualty."
The Guardian newspaper said the 6-foot-5-inch-tall actor was injured early Sunday morning after asking a group of men to quiet down outside his Newcastle hotel room.
A 32-year-old man has been charged with wounding with intent and is scheduled to appear before magistrates next month.
"He is very shaken and shocked by what has happened. You don't expect this kind of thing to happen in a hotel," a spokesman for Mantle's agents, the London-based Sarahband Associates, told the newspaper. "The part of the ear that was bitten off was found and sewn back on. Mr Mantle said the police, ambulance and hospital staff were amazing."
The actor was Newcastle performing in the play "The Ladykillers" at the Theatre Royal, but has left the production due to his injury.
Warwick declares bankruptcy
LOS ANGELES, March 26 (UPI) -- Dionne Warwick's publicist says the singer owes more than $10 million in unpaid taxes and has filed for bankruptcy in New Jersey.
Warwick's spokesman, Kevin Sasaki, told TMZ the 72-year-old recording artist's financial woes were caused by "negligent and gross financial mismanagement" from the late 1980s through mid-1990s.
"In light of the magnitude of her tax liabilities, Warwick has repeatedly attempted to offer re-payment plans and proposals to the IRS and the California Franchise Tax Board for taxes owed. These plans were not accepted, resulting in escalating interest and penalties," Sasaki told TMZ.
Known for her songs "Do You Know the Way to San Jose," "Don't Make Me Over," "Walk on By," "I Say a Little Prayer" and "Alfie," the Grammy Award winner has only $25,000 in assets, the celebrity news website said.
'Rise of the Guardians' tops DVD sales chart
LOS ANGELES, March 26 (UPI) -- The animated flick "Rise of the Guardians," featuring Jack Frost and the Easter Bunny, is the top-selling DVD and Blu-ray in the United States, Rentrak said.
Coming in at No. 2 on the DVD and Blu-ray sales roster for the week ending March 17 is "Life of Pi," followed by "Wreck-It Ralph" at No. 3, "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2" at No. 4 and "Red Dawn" at No. 5.
Rounding out the top tier are "Skyfall" at No. 6, "Mulan/Mulan II -- 2 Pack" at No. 7, "Argo" at No. 8, "Game of Thrones: The Complete Second Season" at No. 9 and "Cirque du Soleil: Worlds Away" at No. 10.
The No. 1 DVD and Blu-ray rental for the week ended March 16 is "Skyfall."
"The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2" is No. 2, "Rise of the Guardians" is No. 3, "Wreck-It Ralph" is No. 4, "Playing For Keeps" is No. 5, "Taken 2" is No. 6, "Flight" is No. 7, "End of Watch" is No. 8, "Here Comes the Boom" is No. 9 and "Hotel Transylvania" is No. 10.
TBS orders Season 5 of 'Cougar Town'
LOS ANGELES, March 26 (UPI) -- TBS announced Tuesday it has ordered a 13-episode fifth season of "Cougar Town," the Florida-set sitcom starring Courteney Cox, to air next year.
"'Cougar Town' has been everything we hoped it would be: a smart, big-hearted, laugh-out-loud comedy that shines a bright light on the TBS brand," Michael Wright -- president and head of programming for TBS, TNT and Turner Classic Movies -- said in a statement. "This season, the brilliant cast and immensely creative production team on 'Cougar Town' have crafted their best episodes yet, and we couldn't be happier inviting them back for more."
The show's Season 4 finale is to air April 9.
