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People in the news

By United Press International
Fred Willard arrives at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on August 21, 2010. UPI/Jim Ruymen
Fred Willard arrives at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards in Los Angeles on August 21, 2010. UPI/Jim Ruymen | License Photo

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

FRED WILLARD: PBS says it has fired Fred Willard from its show "Market Warriors" after he was arrested for alleged lewd conduct in a Hollywood adult film theater.

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Willard, 78, is best known for his work on the sitcoms "Roseanne," "Everybody Loves Raymond" and "Modern Family," and in writer-director Christopher Guest's mockumentaries "This is Spinal Tap," "Waiting for Guffman," "For Your Consideration," "Best in Show" and "A Mighty Wind." He is now host of the improv-comedy series "Trust Us with Your Life."

TMZ said Los Angeles Police Department undercover vice officers on a routine walk-through arrested Willard Wednesday night at the Tiki Theater after finding him watching a pornographic movie with his penis exposed and in his hand.

He was cited for lewd conduct and released from police custody the same night, TMZ said.

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PBS announced it had fired him from its antique-hunting program "Market Warriors" hours after his arrest.

"Given the unfortunate news reported today, effective immediately Fred Willard will no longer be involved with the 'Market Warriors' series," Jeanne Hopkins of WGBH, the PBS station that produces the show, said in a statement to ABC News.

Mark Walberg, host of "Antiques Roadshow," will take over Willard's job, Hopkins said.

"It's something we felt was important to decide, and given the trust of our audiences, we wanted to move forward," Hopkins said.

"With all due respect to the individual officer, our belief is that Fred did nothing in any violation of any law. We will be working vigorously to clear his name in this matter," Willard's lawyer, Paul Takakjian, said in a statement to ABCNews.com.

Willard has been married to his wife Mary since 1972.


GLEN CAMPBELL: Glen Campbell's publicist says the ailing U.S. country music star has canceled his upcoming tour dates in Australia and New Zealand.

"While the tour in the United States is going well, and Glen is comfortable, he felt the long plane ride to Australia was more than he wanted to do," CMT quoted the singer's representative as saying.

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Campbell, 76, was diagnosed in December 2010 with Alzheimer's disease and has been performing a series of live farewell performances.

In addition to his music, Campbell is also famous for co-starring opposite John Wayne and Kim Darby in the original 1969 "True Grit" film.


KATIE HOLMES: Katie Holmes is to star in Theresa Rebeck's new play, "Dead Accounts," on Broadway this fall, the five-character comedy's producers said Thursday.

Directed by three-time Tony Award winner Jack O'Brien, the play will open at the Music Box Theatre.

"Jack's unexpected return throws his family into a frenzy, and his sister Lorna needs answers. Is he coming home or running away? Where is his wife everyone hates? And how did he get all that money? Theresa Rebeck's new comedy tackles the timely issues of corporate greed, small town values, and whether or not your family will always welcome you back... with no questions asked," a synopsis said.

Holmes will play the role of Lorna. This will be her first Broadway role since appearing in the acclaimed 2008 production of "All My Sons."

Additional casting for the four additional roles, designers, production dates and ticket information will be announced shortly, the producers said.

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Holmes recently filed for divorce from her husband, film star Tom Cruise, after five years of marriage and set up a new home in Manhattan with their 6-year-old daughter, Suri.

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