Entertainment Today: Showbiz News

ROBERT STACK DEAD AT 84

Robert Stack, whose film and TV career spanned more than six decades, died at his home Wednesday. He was 84.

Best-known for his portrayal of crime-fighter Eliot Ness on the 1960s television show, "The Untouchables" and for hosting the popular true-crime show "Unsolved Mysteries," Stack also made more than 40 movies dating back to the 1939 film, "First Love." He also starred in "The High and the Mighty" opposite John Wayne, "Written on the Wind" with Lauren Bacall and "Good Morning, Miss Dove" with Jennifer Jones. Although his last appearance on the big screen was in the 1998 comedy, "Baseketball," he lent his distinctive voice to animated characters in "Hercules: Zero to Hero," "Butt-Ugly Martians" and "Recess: School's Out."

Stack's wife, Rosemarie, said she discovered him slumped in their Los Angeles home at about 5 p.m. Wednesday. The actor, who underwent radiation treatment for prostate cancer last year, apparently died of heart failure.

Stack is survived by his wife of 47 years and children, Elizabeth and Charles, both of Los Angeles.

'MATRIX' VIEWERS TREATED TO STOMP PREVIEW

A theatrical trailer featuring the international percussion sensation Stomp will appear before screenings of "The Matrix Reloaded."

Stomp has collaborated with Dolby Laboratories to produce Dolby's first trailer since 1999. The trailer debuts this week with prints of "The Matrix Reloaded," the sequel to the 1999 sic-fi blockbuster.

"Perspectives" is a 30-second live-action 35 mm trailer, which enhances and intensifies Stomp's unique percussive performance techniques employing Dolby's multi-channel audio technologies used in the world's leading cinemas.

Earlier this year, 10 Stomp performers from the group's New York and Boston companies took part in the trailer's three-day shoot at Silvercup East Studios in New York. The group performed with their signature props including keys, garbage can lids, oil drums, and push brooms.

The trailer was conceived and choreographed by Stomp creators Luke Cresswell and Steve McNicholas for use not only in cinemas, but also for applications including DVD, broadcast and video gaming.

Stomp was created in Brighton, England, in 1991. It was the result of a 10-year collaboration between its creators. Cresswell and McNicholas are self-taught musicians who worked in various theatrical and musical outfits in the United Kingdom through the 1980s. They worked together for several years as street musicians/performers across Europe.

Continuing their creative partnership, they began Stomp in 1991 and since then have directed a series of award-winning commercials internationally, receiving an Oscar nomination for their short film, "Brooms." Together they composed the soundtrack to the Showtime movie, "Riot" and directed the "Stomp Out Loud" special for HBO, which received four Emmy nominations, including Best Direction.

Stomp companies currently perform in New York, Boston, and London, with U.S. and European tours. Their New York company just celebrated its ninth anniversary at The Orpheum Theatre.

HYDE PIERCE OPTIMISTIC ABOUT 'LOVE'

David Hyde Pierce says people will go see his new comedy "Down With Love" even though it opens the same weekend as "The Matrix Reloaded."

"I think word of mouth can be incredible on this movie," the "Frasier" star told reporters in New York. "And I also think except for that small group of leather-clad people who will go to every single screening of 'The Matrix' that weekend, once you get to the movie theater and have seen 'The Matrix,' you might check out what else is at the movie theater and we'll be there."

"Down With Love" is a frothy 1960s-style romantic comedy starring Ewan McGregor and Renee Zellweger in Rock Hudson-Doris Day-type roles. Hyde Pierce, who plays Niles Crane on the hit NBC sit-com, "Frasier," has a scene-stealing supporting role in the film, which opens Friday, a day after the eagerly awaited futuristic "Matrix" sequel hits theaters.