Elmore Leonard, who wrote great crime novels and mysteries, died this morning at 7:15am. His Facebook page said he was surrounded by family. Leonard had recently suffered a stroke. Author of countless bestsellers, many of his books were made into movies including “Get Shorty,” “Out of Sight,” and “Jackie Brown” (which was published as “Rum Punch”). The F/X series “Justified” is based on his stories. Twenty six of his novels and short stories have been made into movies– some of them twice, like “3:10 to Yuma.” His work has given audiences around the world immense pleasure. Leonard was one of the few writers of this generation to make literary work accessible. He will be sorely missed.
Debbie Rowe, Randy Jackson in Twitter Fight Over Paris Jackson
Debbie Rowe and Randy Jackson, her former brother in law, are having a fight on Twitter. The subject seems to be Debbie’s daughter Paris, 15, who’s been “away” now for quite a while after a suicide attempt this past spring. Randy, known for preying on brother Michael for money, started questioning tonight on Twitter why Paris, a niece he’s never had much use for, is still under lock and key in a sleep away school for troubled teens. Debbie, who loves fighting with people on Twitter, didn’t cotton to Randy’s observations. Paris, it should be noted, hasn’t been heard from since June 4th, after being incredibly open and public with her social networking. In the weeks leading up to her suicide attempt Paris had gotten much friendlier with Rowe, her biological parent. A month before the suicide attempt she’d signed with a major Hollywood manager.
@randyjackson8 as usual you are grossly misinformed
— Painted Desert Ranch (@DJRJPDR) August 20, 2013
These Tweets from Randy preceded that one:
I dont like that Paris is still in this facility. It's not right
— Randy Jackson (@randyjackson8) August 20, 2013
She's been there much too long
— Randy Jackson (@randyjackson8) August 20, 2013
She is not psychotic . There is no reason for her to be in a psychiatric hospital this long away from her family
— Randy Jackson (@randyjackson8) August 20, 2013
I just hate the fact that you will probably still be there on my brother's birthday. This is not good
— Randy Jackson (@randyjackson8) August 20, 2013
There's something more to this there's something going on I don't like it I'm afraid for her
— Randy Jackson (@randyjackson8) August 20, 2013
Psychiatric hospitals oftentimes make you feel as though you're psychotic when you're not . Sometimes they make matters worse
— Randy Jackson (@randyjackson8) August 20, 2013
I'm going to look into this . Stay tuned
— Randy Jackson (@randyjackson8) August 20, 2013
Exclusive: “Butler” Director Lee Daniels Circling Sammy Davis Jr. Film for HBO
Exclusive: Will he have to call it “Lee Daniels’ Sammy Davis Jr”? Let’s hope not. But the word I’m hearing is that Lee Daniels is circling a project about Sammy Davis Jr. at HBO. Recently there’s been some talk about Tommy Davidson of “In Living Color” fame playing Davis, but nothing had come together. The Sammy story is rife with rights issues including who is the estate, who isn’t, which books are optioned, who owns what. Davis had the most extraordinary life, including the Rat Pack days of course, his early career, his controversial marriage to May Britt. Daniels is hot hot hot right now with “The Butler.” This has Emmy Awards written all over it. PS Whoever plays Sammy will have to top Don Cheadle’s great performance several seasons ago in “The Rat Pack.” And no, versatile though he is, Al Pacino is not up for this!
Lindsay Lohan “Canyons” Makes $5,300 Over Weekend
It’s hard to imagine anyone going to see “The Canyons” at this point but someone did. The Paul Schrader film with Lindsay Lohan and porn star James Deen made $5,309 over the weekend. The movie actually added five theatres this past week and dropped 52.1% from the week before. The total gross now is $43,383 after three torturous weeks. Lindsay has moved on to an episode of HBO’s Eastbound and Down, and to confessing her sins to Oprah. Deen goes back to porno, which is probably more lucrative.
True Blood Star Joe Manganiello: Taking on Brando and Stanley in “Streetcar Named Desire”
Can Joe Manganiello act beyond showing his abs or making his eyes glow? We’re going to find out this fall. Mangianello, a “True Blood” star, is going to try playing Stanley Kowalski in Tennessee Williams’ “A Streetcar Named Desire” on stage. The production is at no less than Yale Rep, beginning September 30th. Manganiello will follow in the footsteps of many but mostly Marlon Brando. Mark Rucker directs a mostly unknown cast including Rene Augesen as Blanche DuBois.
Ben Affleck Sends Out Fundraiser Birthday Card for Bill Clinton
Ben Affleck doesn’t seem to care that the New York Times thinks the Clinton Foundation is in disarray. Here’s the message Affleck sent out today:
President Clinton and I built our careers in very different fields, but as fathers and humanitarians, we share a core belief: that the work we do each day should make the world a little better.
His unwavering commitment to helping people build a better future for themselves and their families has never ceased to amaze me, and inspires my own work to help improve the lives and communities in eastern Congo.
The goal of the Clinton Foundation is not just to give immediate assistance, but to provide the tools and opportunities to help people create their own better future. And together with President Clinton, you are making that happen.
And with your support, the Clinton Foundation has helped 5 million people access lifesaving HIV/AIDS medication – and revolutionized the market so that other lifesaving treatments, including malaria medicines and vaccines, are more readily available to millions. The Foundation has also helped 21,000 Malawian farmers increase their harvests and incomes – and helped build communities that are self-sustaining.
President Clinton is usually the first to say that we’re all in this together – and that it will take commitments from you, me, and people everywhere to face the big challenges of our time.
I believe that wholeheartedly – and it’s why I think President Clinton will be especially delighted to hear from you on his birthday and know that we’re all ready to make that commitment together.
Sincerely,
Ben Affleck
“True Blood” Finale: Is Eric Dead? A Naked Alexander Skarsgaard Goes Up In Flames
A shocking season 6 finale for “True Blood” last night on HBO: Eric, played by popular sex symbol, Alexander Skarsgaard, went up in flames. You could say Skarsgaard was “burned out” doing the show as his film career is hotter than a searing flame. Ha ha. Anyway, vampire Eric was reading a book, completely naked, sitting outside in the Swedish snow. As you do. And suddenly the Northern sun just starting burning him up. His last scene was was fully frontal and engulfed in flames. Now, even on “General Hospital” you could live through that. But it does seem like Eric might be completely dead. It’s a good cliffhanger until “True Blood” returns next year. Insiders told me recently that HBO was renegotiating a lot of “True Blood” contracts. Skarsgaard’s finale could well be linked to that. If he re-signs, someone will rush in with a fire extinguisher.
Next time, Eric, use a stronger SPF.
Grantham Coleman Cast in New Play by “Soldier’s Story” Writer
Off Broadway: is Grantham Coleman the next big thing? He was signed last year by super manager Jason Spire, who’s already guiding Anthony Mackie (“Captain America”), Oscar Isaac (“Inside Oscar Llewyn”), and Benjamin Walker (“Muhammad Ali’s Greatest Fight”). I can’t think of three busier or more serious young actors. Now Spire has brought in Coleman, whom he signed during a performance of  “Choir Boy” at Manhattan Rep earlier this year. Coleman, a Juilliard grad, has just been cast as the star of Charles Fuller’s new play, “One Night…” at the Cherry Lane Theater. Fuller, of course, is the famed playwright of “A Soldier’s Story” (originally known as “A Soldier’s Play” before it was a hit movie). In “One Night” Coleman will play Horace Lloyd, described as a recent vet of the Iraq war who his a bipolar explosive personality. The play is about sexual assaults on women in the army by fellow soldiers.
Did Jim Carrey Kill the Box Office for “Kick Ass 2”? (Yes, Probably)
The box office this weekend did not produce happy results for the people behind “Kick Ass 2.” The reason was likely Jim Carrey, who was added to the sequel with the hopes that he would garner publicity for the film. Let’s rewind: “Kick Ass” had a $19.8 million opening in 2010, and went on make $96 million worldwide (literally $48 mil here, $48 mil everywhere else). It was a left field hit for Lions Gate.
Carrey was brought in for the sequel, which was directed Jeff Wadlow–the nephew, by the way, of Katie Couric. Adding Carrey in a showy role meant a news hook when the movie was released. But then the shootings in Newtown, Connecticut happened. Carrey took them to heart– yes, it was awful, but it had nothing to do with “Kick Ass 2.” Carrey began denouncing the movie, and said he couldn’t promote its violence in light of the shootings. He was gone. And with him went any chance of “Kiss Ass 2” doing better than its predecessor.
Alas, “Kick Ass 2” was kicked in the ass by Lee Daniels’ “The Butler” this weekend. The Wadlow film finished fourth, after “We’re the Millers” and “Elysium.” it took in $13.5 million– far less than the first “Kick Ass.” Its momentum has been blunted. Carrey, whose career doesn’t really exist in a meaningful way anymore, has been AWOL. It will be interesting to see how the dozen or so producers on the film– including Brad Pitt, Matthew Vaughn and his wife Claudia Schiffer, plus Mark Millar–respond to the situation. They tried to spin last week saying Carrey’s protest of the movie was going to help them. Now that it hasn’t, they may be singing a different tune.
I did Kickass a month b4 Sandy Hook and now in all good conscience I cannot support that level of violence. My apologies to e
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) June 23, 2013
I meant to say my apologies to others involve with the film. I am not ashamed of it but recent events have caused a change in my heart.
— Jim Carrey (@JimCarrey) June 23, 2013
Matt Lauer, Martha Stewart Help Raise $1.2 Mil for Breast Cancer Research
There are a lot of swanky parties in the Hamptons, but not many are held at the North Haven beachfront estate of financier Richard Perry and his wife designer Lisa Perry (whose popular Sixties retro designs are a landmark on Madison Avenue).
On Saturday night the Perrys opened their cheerful, magnificent home to over 500 people and raised more than $1.2 million for the Breast Cancer Research Fund. They did it for their friend Maria Baum, a breast cancer survivor, and her family including husband Larry Baum. The Baums are co-owners of the mouth watering Tutto il Giorno restaurants in Sag Harbor and Southampton.
It was really a day long event called “Paddle for Pink.” Early Saturday morning, participants had a paddle surf race across the bay from Sag Harbor with star athletes Laird Hamilton and Gabrielle Reece leading the fray.
The nighttime guests — including Hamilton and Reece– munched on food from local restaurants and caterers, danced to a great deejay, and bid on surf boards designed by Martha Stewart, Nicole Miller, and several other designers. Somehow, no one fell in the pool that’s the centerpiece of the Perrys’ backyard.
Stewart and Miller were each among the throng, as well as Donna Karan, who spoke about breast cancer taking the life of her mentor, Ann Taylor. Matt Lauer turned up solo– his wife Annette, he said, was looking at horses in Kentucky. The party also fetched two former Sopranos– Edie Falco and Aida Turturro. Around $57,00 was made just in the silent auction which included the surfboards as well as a chance to watch batting practice with the Yankees.
Music may still be coming from North Haven even now, supplied by champion surfer Tom Curren, whose very good rock band is signed to a new label run by art collectors and rockers Ann Tenenbaum and Natasha Ziff. The latecomers had to be told the part was, sadly, over. “But they did leave a check,” Lisa Perry said brightly the next day. All was not lost.