Ed Asner, best-known for playing fictional TV newsman Lou Grant, has died aged 91. The actor, whose roles also included voicing the lead in the Pixar film Up, passed away “peacefully” on Sunday morning, his family said. “Words cannot express the sadness we feel. With a kiss on your head-Goodnight dad. We love you.” The character Lou Grant was first introduced as Mary Richards’s boss on The Mary Tyler Moore Show in the 1970s. Grant, the irascible editor of the fictional Los Angeles Tribune, then became a character in a show in his own right from 1977 to 1982. The … Continue reading Lou Grant and Up actor dies aged 91

Actress Letitia Wright was treated in hospital after an accident on the set of the upcoming Black Panther sequel. The star, who plays Shuri, Princess of Wakanda, received minor injuries in what was described as a “stunt rig accident”. The film shoot was happening overnight in Boston, separate to the main production in Atlanta. Although the nature of her injuries was not disclosed, the actress was released from hospital after several hours. The incident is not expected to have an impact on the shooting schedule for the superhero sequel. Wright is one of several stars returning in the film, titled … Continue reading Letitia Wright treated for injuries after Black Panther 2 accident

Francis Mossman Francis (Frankie) Mossman, a New Zealand-born actor who appeared in Starz series Spartacus, died at his home in Sydney, Australia, on Aug. 14. He was 33. Mossman’s representative, Kathryn Rawlings, confirmed the actor’s passing to The Hollywood Reporter. A cause of death was not cited. The actor played Vitus in Spartacus: Vengeance Unleashed and Spartacus: Blood and Sand. Mossman’s additional credits include NZ soap opera Shortland Street and kids series Amazing Extraordinary Friends. More recently, Mossman appeared in LGBTQ web series The Horizon, which was made into a television movie from Australian director Stephan Elliot. In a message posted to Mossman’s talent agency, a … Continue reading So Sad: Francis ‘Frankie’ Mossman, actor in Spartacus and The Horizon dies at 33

Plans for a £700m “world-class” film and TV studios facility in the UK have been announced by a Hollywood studio. The owners of Sunset Studios in Los Angeles and an investment firm have bought a 91-acre site in Hertfordshire for £120m. Subject to planning permission, the production centre would be built in Broxbourne. The government said it was “supporting” the development of such stage spaces across the UK. Oliver Dowden, Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, said: “This new studio is yet another vote of confidence in the UK’s booming film and TV industry. “Through the British … Continue reading Movie Meets Money: Hollywood plans £700m film and TV studios in UK

Jay Pickett The US actor, who appeared in soap operas ‘General Hospital’ and ‘Days of Our Lives’ has passed away unexpectedly on the set of his new movie ‘Treasure Valley’ while preparing to shoot a scene. Travis Mills, the movie’s director, wrote on the motion picture’s Facebook page: “Many of you have already heard about the tragedy that happened two days ago. Jay Pickett, our leading man, writer, producer, and creator of this movie passed away suddenly while we were on location preparing to film a scene. There is no official explanation for the cause of his death but it … Continue reading US actor Jay Pickett dies aged 60

Hollywood star Scarlett Johansson is suing Disney for breach of contract for streaming her film Black Widow at the same time as its cinema release. The superhero film set a box office record for the Covid-19 pandemic when it came out this month, grossing $218m (£157m) on its first weekend. But box office receipts then fell sharply and Ms Johansson argues she was deprived of potential earnings. Disney did not comment immediately on the lawsuit filed in Los Angeles. Ms Johansson says she was promised by Marvel Studios, which is owned by Disney, that Black Widow would be a “theatrical … Continue reading Scarlett Johansson sues Disney over streaming of Black Widow

Robert Downey Sr., iconic filmmaker of breakthrough anti-establishment classic films such as “Putney Swope” and “Greaser’s Palace,” is dead. He died early Wednesday morning in his sleep at his home in New York City, his wife told the Daily News.Robert Downey Sr. Downey, who turned 85 last month and had been battling Parkinson’s disease, also had a turn as an actor appearing in the movies “Boogie Nights,” “Magnolia” and “To Live And Die in L.A.” The filmmaker, actor, producer and writer was a life-long New Yorker and the husband of author and hagiographer Rosemary Rogers and father of actor Robert … Continue reading Robert Downey Sr., accomplished filmmaker and actor dead at 85

Brad Pitt has been granted joint custody of his children with Angelina Jolie following a lengthy court battle. Ms Jolie filed for divorce in 2016 and the pair have since been engaged in a custody battle largely shielded from public view. A private judge hired to oversee the case, John Ouderkirk, ruled in Mr Pitt’s favour. The ruling would “significantly increase” his time with the children, a source told the Press Association. Mr Pitt, 57, and Ms Jolie, 45, are parents to Pax, 17, Zahara, 16, Shiloh, 14 and 12-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox. The oldest, 19-year-old Maddox, is not … Continue reading Brad Pitt awarded joint custody of children with Angelina Jolie

In protest of the ongoing controversy surrounding the lack of diversity within the HFPA’s membership, Tom Cruise has returned the three Golden Globe trophies he earned for “Born on the Fourth of July” (best actor, drama), “Jerry Maguire” (best actor, comedy or musical), and “Magnolia” (best supporting actor), Variety has confirmed. It is the most high profile repudiation yet of the HFPA from a single star, after several actors including Scarlet Johansson and Marc Ruffalo called for the industry to “step back” from the Globes until more substantial reforms are put in place within the HFPA organization. Netflix, Amazon, and WarnerMedia have all announced boycotts of the HFPA, and … Continue reading Tom Cruise returns Golden Globe awards in protest of HFPA

Hollywood’s biggest night has taken place, honouring the movie industry’s finest from the past 12 months. Here is the full list of the winners of the 93rd Academy Awards. Best picture Winner: Nomadland The Father Judas and the Black Messiah Mank Minari Promising Young Woman Sound of Metal The Trial of the Chicago 7 Best actress Winner: Frances McDormand – Nomadland Viola Davis – Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom Andra Day – The United States vs Billie Holiday Vanessa Kirby – Pieces of a Woman Carey Mulligan – Promising Young Woman Best actor Winner: Anthony Hopkins – The Father Riz Ahmed … Continue reading Homage to Hollywood: Oscars 2021 winners in full

Chloe Zhao “Nomadland” took home a historic big win Sunday night at the Academy Awards when it received the Best Picture Oscar: it’s only the second film directed by a woman in Oscars history to achieve a Best Picture victory. Director Kathryn Bigelow’s “The Hurt Locker” (for which Bigelow also became the first female Oscar winner for Best Director) was previously the only female-directed movie to do so. The prize for “Nomadland” at the Academy Awards on Sunday went to producer/director Chloe Zhao, producer/star Frances Mcdormand, and producers Peter Spears, Mollye Asher, and Dan Janvey. “Nomadland” marks Zhao’s third feature directorial effort following “Songs … Continue reading Nomadland wins best picture at the Oscars

The award-winning US actress Jessica Walter has died aged 80, her family says. “It is with a heavy heart that I confirm the passing of my beloved mom,” Walter’s daughter Brooke Bowman said. “A working actor for over six decades, her greatest pleasure was bringing joy to others through her storytelling both on screen and off,” Ms Bowman said. Walter is best known for playing icy matriarch Lucille Bluth in the Arrested Development TV sitcom in the 2000s. She also won an Emmy for starring as a detective in the police drama Amy Prentiss in the 1970s. “While her legacy … Continue reading Arrested Development star Jessica Walter dies aged 80