Actor Chris Hemsworth says he is taking a break from acting after learning he has a heightened risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. The Thor star made the discovery after undergoing tests as part of his Disney+ documentary series Limitless. He told Vanity Fair the tests confirmed his “biggest fear”, adding he will now be trying to take “preventative steps”. Alzheimer’s is the most common form of dementia and can cause memory problems, confusion and communication issues. Hemsworth learned that he has two copies of the gene ApoE4, one from his mother and one from his father, making him between eight … Continue reading Chris Hemsworth to take a break from acting due to Alzheimer’s risk

Germany’s coalition government has agreed on a plan to legalize recreational cannabis use among adults. Possession of up to 30g (1oz) for personal use would be allowed. Licensed shops and pharmacies would sell it. The plan has yet to be approved in parliament – but also receive the green light by the European Commission. Health Minister Karl Lauterbach said the plan could become law in 2024. In the EU only Malta has legalized recreational cannabis. The Netherlands has not gone as far as the German plan – under Dutch law, the sale of small quantities of cannabis in “coffee shops” … Continue reading Germany plans to legalize use of recreational cannabis

The US actor and comedian Leslie Jordan has died aged 67, his agent has confirmed. The star, known for his roles in Will and Grace and American Horror Story, was killed in a fatal car crash in Los Angeles on Monday morning, US media reported. Police told the LA Times that Jordan’s car crashed into the side of a building and he was declared dead at the scene. His publicist said the world had become a “darker place” with his loss. “Not only was he a mega talent and joy to work with, but he provided an emotional sanctuary to … Continue reading Famous US actor Leslie Jordan dies aged 67

A New York court has dismissed a sexual assault lawsuit against the actor Kevin Spacey. The case was brought by Anthony Rapp, who says the actor inappropriately touched him at a party in 1986 when he was aged 14. Mr Rapp, now 50 and also an actor, filed the legal action in September 2020 and had been seeking around $40m in damages. Mr Spacey, an Oscar winner, has denied the accusations against him. He is separately facing five charges in the UK of sexual assault, to which he has pleaded not guilty. That trial is due to begin in June … Continue reading New York court dismisses Kevin Spacey sexual assault lawsuit

Dame Angela Lansbury, who won international acclaim as the star of the US TV crime series Murder, She Wrote, has died aged 96. The three-time Oscar nominee had a career spanning eight decades, across film, theatre and television. Born in 1925, she was one of the last surviving stars of the Golden Age of Hollywood cinema. Dame Angela died in her sleep just five days before her 97th birthday, her family said in a statement. “The children of Dame Angela Lansbury are sad to announce that their mother died peacefully in her sleep at home in Los Angeles,” the family … Continue reading Murder, She Wrote star Angela Lansbury dies at 96

Oscar-winning actor Kevin Spacey is due to go on trial on Thursday in a civil lawsuit over an allegation he sexually assaulted a boy 36 years ago. Mr Spacey is being sued in New York by Anthony Rapp, who says the actor inappropriately touched him at a party in 1986 when he was aged 14. Mr Spacey, 63, is separately facing five charges of sexual assault in the UK. The House of Cards actor has denied the allegations against him. Both Mr Rapp, now 51 and also an actor, and Mr Spacey are expected to be in the Manhattan federal … Continue reading Kevin Spacey facing trial on New York sex abuse claim

Angelina Jolie has filed court papers accusing ex-husband Brad Pitt of drunkenly attacking her and their children during a private plane flight, prompting her to file for divorce. In a lawsuit over a French winery that the stars bought, Ms Jolie says Mr Pitt grabbed her by the head and attacked two of their children on the 2016 trip. Mr Pitt also verbally abused and poured alcohol on his family during the flight from France to Los Angeles, she says. He denies the allegations, “She continues to rehash, revise and reimagine her description of an event that happened six years … Continue reading Angelina Jolie accuses Brad Pitt of abuse on private plane

US actor Paul Sorvino, best known for playing Paulie Cicero in the 1990 mobster classic Goodfellas, has died at age 83. Roger Neal, his publicist, said he died of natural causes at his home in Indiana. Over the course of a film and TV career that began in 1970, the Tony Award nominated actor was best known for his portrayals of policemen and gangsters. He is survived by his wife and three children. In a statement following his death, his wife Dee Dee Sorvino said that “there will never be another Paul Sorvino”. “He was the love of my life, … Continue reading Famous US actor Paul Sorvino dies at 83

Hollywood stars Jennifer Lopez and Ben Affleck have got married in Las Vegas, Ms Lopez has confirmed. “We did it. Love is beautiful. Love is kind. And it turns out love is patient. Twenty years patient,” she wrote on her website. The nuptials come 17 years after they called off their first engagement. News of the couple getting back together last year sent fans into a spin, as they publicly displayed their rekindled love on social media. The Clark County Clerk’s Office in Nevada – where Las Vegas is located – shows on its record system that Jennifer Lopez will … Continue reading Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez tie the knot in Las Vegas

US actor James Caan, who rose to fame for his portrayal of Sonny Corleone in The Godfather, has died aged 82. A leading man in Hollywood throughout the 1970s whose career spanned decades, he was nominated for an Oscar, an Emmy and four Golden Globes. Caan’s family thanked fans on Thursday for an “outpouring of love and heartfelt condolences”. The New Yorker, known for his partying lifestyle, was married four times and leaves behind five children. Among the tributes to Caan, fellow actor Gary Sinise wrote on Twitter that it had been “wonderful to know him and call him a … Continue reading Oscar-nominated actor and Godfather star James Caan dies at 82

Comedian Bill Cosby sexually assaulted a teenager at the Playboy Mansion in Los Angeles in 1975, a jury has found. Judy Huth testified to the civil trial that Cosby, 84, had forced her to perform a sex act on him at the venue when she was 16 years old. The jury also ruled that Cosby must pay Ms Huth, who is now 64, $500,000 (£407,000) in damages. Less than a year ago, Cosby walked free from prison after his sexual assault conviction was thrown out. More than 50 women have come forward with abuse allegations against the man once known … Continue reading Bill Cosby found guilty of assaulting teenager in 1975

Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis has been arrested in southern Italy on suspicion of aggravated sexual assault, Italian news agencies have reported. Brindisi prosecutors said he was also accused of “aggravated personal injury and crimes committed to the prejudice of a young foreign woman”. The ANSA and AGI agencies also report Mr Haggis has denied the allegations via his lawyer, Michele Laforgia. “Make enquiries as soon as possible, I am totally innocent,” the Canadian filmmaker said, according to the agencies, who quoted Laforgia. Another lawyer representing Mr Haggis, Priya Chaudhry, issued a statement to various outlets including Variety, saying the director … Continue reading Oscar-winning director Paul Haggis arrested over alleged sexual assault