Brad Johnson of 'Melrose Place,' Marlboro Man ads dies at 62
Brad Johnson, who jumped from rodeo cowboy to portraying the Marlboro Man in cigarette spots and film and TV roles including Steven Spielberg’s “Always” and “Melrose Place,” has died. Johnson died Feb. 18 in Fort Worth, Texas, of complications from COVID-19, his agent, Linda McAlister, said Saturday. Johnson played opposite Holly Hunter in 1989’s “Always,” a remake of a 1943 film (“A Guy Named Joe”) about firefighting pilots.
news.yahoo.comSanctions on Russian oligarch donors hit Israel institutions
Billionaire Moshe Kantor has severed his longstanding ties to Tel Aviv University — joining a growing list of Russian Jewish oligarchs who have scaled back their philanthropic activities after coming under international sanctions for their ties to President Vladimir Putin.
TCM Film Festival returns to Hollywood with Spielberg, more
Classic film lovers know the importance of a grand entrance and the folks at Turner Classic Movies are pulling out all the stops for the return of the TCM Classic Film Festival this week in Hollywood. After two years of virtual editions because of the pandemic, the festival kicks off Thursday with the help of Steven Spielberg, who will be on hand to celebrate the 40th anniversary of “E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial.”
news.yahoo.comBroadway tour of Donna Summer jukebox musical arrives at Majestic Theatre Tuesday
When Summer: The Donna Summer Musical hit Broadway in 2018, a young actress named Ariana DeBose, who just won an Academy Award for her supporting role in Steven Spielberg’s West Side Story, took center stage to play Disco Donna. The character was one of the three incarnations of “The Queen of Disco” featured in the theatrical production. She’s a version of Summer as a teenager and in her early 20s. The other two main characters are Duckling Donna, who’s in her pre-teens, and Diva Donna, who’s in her 50s.
outinsa.com'Smash' Musical Is Officially Heading to Broadway
Smash is heading to Broadway! "I am personally thrilled to be a part of this musical and its road to Broadway," said Steven Spielberg. "Weve all felt that [Marc] Shaiman and [Scott] Wittmans incredible score for Smash belonged on Broadway. Many of the songs that Shaiman and Wittman wrote for the TV, including the Emmy-nominated "Let Me Be Your Star" will be used in the stage musical. RELATED CONTENT:The Biggest Coronavirus Cancellations and Postponements'Hamilton' Full Production With Original Broadway Cast to Stream on Disney PlusPregnant Broadway Star Patti Murin Says She Likely Has Coronavirus But Can't Get Tested
Artificial intelligence project lets Holocaust survivors share their stories forever
In an innovative attempt to harness the artificial intelligence technologies of the present and the future to keep alive the stories of the past, Holocaust survivors may be the first people ever to be able to continue carrying on conversations (virtually, at least) even after their deaths. Heather Maio had worked for years on Holocaust-related exhibits and knew that "Schindler's List" director Steven Spielberg had created the Shoah Foundation to record the testimonies of thousands of Holocaust survivors. Kor died last summer, but using the Shoah foundation's technology, Stahl was able to conduct another 60 Minutes interview with Kor's digital image. "He had a gorgeous face, a movie star face, and very pleasant, actually," Kors' digital image told Stahl. Gutter's digital image replied.
cbsnews.comFor the first time, Steven Spielberg won't direct an Indiana Jones film, report says
US director Steven Spielberg poses during a photocall for his film 'Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull' at the 61st Cannes International Film Festival on May 18, 2008 in Cannes, southern France. Indiana Jones' iconic bullwhip will no longer be in the hands of director Steven Spielberg. On Wednesday, Variety reported that Spielberg will not direct the fifth movie in the Indiana Jones franchise and director James Mangold ("Ford v. Ferrari") is now in talks to take the helm. Spielberg has directed every Indiana Jones film since the first, "Raiders of the Lost Ark," which premiered in 1981. It's likely the film could see another delay now that Spielberg is out as director.
cnbc.comTop Hollywood celebrities and Silicon Valley investors are linked to the app that failed in Iowa
Steven Spielberg arrives at the premiere of 'Ready Player One' held at Dolby Theatre on March 26, 2018 in Hollywood, CaliforniaSome of the best-known Silicon Valley investors and top names in Hollywood are behind the nonprofit group that launched the app that broke down during the Iowa caucus Monday night. Iowa Democrats were using an app developed by Shadow, a progressive start-up managed by a three-year-old nonprofit called Acronym. That funding is going toward "advancing progressive causes through innovative communications, advertising and organizing programs," Acronym says on its site. In addition to Shadow, Acronym is an investor in a digital news organization called Courier Newsroom and digital strategy firm Lockwood Strategy. Fourteen investors have each contributed at least $100,000 to Pacronym, all between October and December.
cnbc.comSteven Spielberg Wraps 'West Side Story,' Celebrates 'Endlessly Surprising'
The cast of West Side Story is feeling pretty and witty and wrapped, as Steven Spielberg announced that filming on the musical officially came to a close on Saturday. To mark the end of production, Steven wanted to share a few thoughts and images with you. ET recently spoke with Elgort, who described this West Side Story as a "total reimagining" of the original. "There's dancing and singing and the music is the same, but otherwise it's a total reimagining and it all comes from Steven's vision," he explained. RELATED CONTENT:Rita Moreno on 'Making Right Some of the Wrongs' of Original 'West Side Story' (Exclusive)Ansel Elgort Talks 'Magical' 'West Side Story' Experience: 'It's Been a Dream' (Exclusive)'West Side Story' Shares First Look at Ariana DeBose as Anita in Steven Spielberg Remake
Steven Spielberg gives sneak peek of 'West Side Story'
(CNN) - That's a wrap on "West Side Story." The musical remake from director Steven Spielberg finished filming just days ago and to celebrate, the legendary filmmaker shared on social media -- via studio 20th Century Fox's official account -- some sneak peek photos from the set. It's a wrap on West Side Story. To mark the end of production, Steven wanted to share a few thoughts and images with you. : @nikotavernise (Photos 1, 2) / #StevenSpielberg (Photo 3)#WestSideStory #StevenSpielberg pic.twitter.com/4PdhHxueKz 20th Century Fox (@20thcenturyfox) October 2, 2019The-CNN-Wire & 2019 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company.
Laura Dern, Sam Neil, and Jeff Goldblum to Reprise Their Original Roles for 'Jurassic World
The original stars of Jurassic Park Laura Dern, Sam Neil, and Jeff Goldblum will all be returning for 2021s third Jurassic World film, ET has learned. Colin Trevorrow, who directed 2015s Jurassic World and the recently televised Jurassic short, Battle at Big Rock, and co-wrote both World and 2018s Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, will return to write and direct this film. Steven Spielberg, who directed the 1993 original film, 1997s The Lost World, and executive produced 2001s Jurassic Park III, 2015s Jurassic World, 2018s Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom, will join Trevorrow as an executive producer on the film. Id be all the way in China!Goldblum also starred in The Lost World and had a brief cameo in Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom. Neil was the lead of Jurassic Park III and Dern also made a cameo in the film.
Appeal in John Steinbeck lawsuit heard in court
Kaffaga, executor for the estate of her mother Elaine Steinbeck, had alleged that long-running litigation over the author's estate prevented her from making the most of his copyrights at a time when marquee names such as Steven Spielberg and Jennifer Lawrence were interested in bringing masterpieces "The Grapes of Wrath" and "East of Eden" back to the screen. She said the deals instead fell apart over the years.
chicagotribune.comPreview: The New Force Behind Star Wars
Director J.J. Abrams, a self-described "fanboy" of the Star Wars franchise, got the job to direct "The Force Awakens" with an assist from Steven Spielberg. Bill Whitaker interviewed the director six weeks before the premiere. Watch Whitaker's report on Sunday, Dec. 13 at 7 p.m. ET/PT.
cbsnews.comReese Witherspoon and Colin Firth star in new thriller
Reese Witherspoon and Colin Firth star in new thriller Stars step out for "Devil's Knot" premiere, plus Steven Spielberg presents President Obama with humanity award. Suzanne Marques has those stories and more in today's Eye on Entertainment.
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