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LA: Casey Affleck, Natasha Bedingfield Help Nancy Davis Raise $1.5 Million for MS at the Race to Erase

Leah Sydney
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LA: Casey Affleck, Natasha Bedingfield Help Nancy Davis Raise $1.5 Million for MS at the Race to Erase

The 31st annual ‘Race to Erase MS’ hosted by its’ indefatigable founder Nancy Davis, took place recently at the Fairmont Century Plaza.  Nancy was diagnosed at the age of 33 with MS 33 years ago.  Davis’s activism for the cause has brought together the top researchers from across the country.  The Davis family is known for its charitable work and activism.  The classiest lady in town is Nancy’s Mom, the matriarch Barbara Davis who came to the event and was feted by all.  Barbara’s event is her esteemed ‘Carousel Ball’ for her Children’s Diabetes Foundation which she founded in 1977.  This night started with their popular silent auction which had the celebs and VIP crowd putting in their bids.  There was a live auction later.

Nancy was ever the gracious host and gorgeously donned in a L’AGENCE sequined dress and coat and she was adorned with jewelry from her ‘Peace & Love’ collection.  She introduced the night by quipping, “Welcome to the 31st annual ‘Race to Erase MS’ not to be confused with the Race to Erase PMS. One is definitely curable thanks to all of you and the other will never be.”  She then went on to say that, “Tonight we are here to celebrate the fact that we are one giant leap forward in reaching our ultimate goal of crossing the finish line and finding a cure for MS. Thank you to every hero in this room.” Guests were treated to a fashion show from L’AGENCE which was also the fashion sponsor. Her lovely twin daughters Mariella and Isabella were on stage with her.  Their dad, the respected entrepreneur Kenneth Rickel, was proudly looking on from his seat, along with their brother, Brandon Davis. 

Chad King of the duo singing/songwriter group ‘One Big World’ and who is affected by MS sang ‘This Is The New Year’ from their 2014 album ‘Is There Anybody Out There.’  The other half of the group Ian Axel then sang their hit  ‘Say Something.’  Casey Affleck later introduced Natasha Bedingfield who beautifully performed her hits ‘Love Like This’ ‘Pocketful of Sunshine’ ‘These Words’ and ‘Unwritten.’

The night ended as in years past with Nancy and family leading the crowd in a upbeat rendition of ‘Lean On Me.’

Davis founded ‘Race to Erase MS’ in 1993 which has since raised more than $50 million for MS research and conducted the pilot studies for 18 of the 24 drugs that are now on the market for a disease that once had none. ‘Race to Erase MS’ fundraises for its Center Without Walls research program through its annual gala. This year’s event raised $1.5 million.

Celebrities that were there included Caroline Rhea, Kathy and Rick Hilton, Amanda Kloots, Diane Warren, Montana Tucker, Carmen Electra, David Arquette, Emma Slater, Katie Cassidy, Tia Carrere, Sutton Stracke, Shaun Robinson and many more.

The event raised over $1.5 million to benefit the Race to Erase MS and its Center Without Walls program, a collaboration of top MS research centers working together as a team on ground-breaking research with the goal of treating and, ultimately, finding a cure for MS.

Her quest to find a cure for MS will never stop.  Nancy Davis is a modern day Don Quixote!

Trump Calls Proceedings in Trial “Kangaroo Court” as Jury Deliberates His Fate in Criminal Matter

Roger Friedman
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Trump Calls Proceedings in Trial “Kangaroo Court” as Jury Deliberates His Fate in Criminal Matter

This morning, Donald Trump had a few words on social media for his jury.

The 12 member panel is deliberating his fate. But that didn’t stop Trump from attacking Judge Merchan and calling his courtroom a “kangaroo court.”

Also, he called Michael Cohen “a bum.” He must be watching a lot of James Cagney movies at night!

Meantime, the word is Rikers Island is working on accommodations for Trump and his Secret Service bodyguards.

Can Movie Stars Save the Box Office? Brad Pitt, George Clooney Will Try in “Wolfs,” A Buddy Romcom (Trailer)

Roger Friedman
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Can Movie Stars Save the Box Office? Brad Pitt, George Clooney Will Try in “Wolfs,” A Buddy Romcom (Trailer)

Can movie stars save the box office?

We rarely get two of them in the same movie, but this fall Sony and Apple are going for broke with “Wolfs.”

The comedy stars George Clooney and Brad Pitt, both celebrities and Oscar winners, in a film by Jon Watts. They play rival hit men who must work together. (See the current excellent movie, “Hit Man,” with Glenn Powell. Paid killers with a sense of humor is this year’s cinema occupation.)

This is big for Sony, which is struggling to have hits without Spider Man involved. Of course, Watts directed the last three Spider Man movies, so Sony is hoping for some of that magic to rub off on “Wolfs.”

“Wolfs” looks like it’s a buddy com, a la the Pitt-Clooney collabs on the “Oceans” movies. I’m excited because Amy Ryan is featured heavily in the trailer.

A Toronto premiere? Maybe, hopefully. It’s just what the doctor ordered.

“Knives Out” Part 3 Daily Casting Announcement: Kerry Washington (Olivia Pope), Andrew Scott (Mr. Ripley) in Ongoing Daily Mystery Reveal

Roger Friedman
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“Knives Out” Part 3 Daily Casting Announcement: Kerry Washington (Olivia Pope), Andrew Scott (Mr. Ripley) in Ongoing Daily Mystery Reveal

The third “Knives Out” movie should be called “Which actor is announced next for the cast?”

It seems like this mystery will be who will be announced today to join “Wake Me Up, Dead Man.”

Today, it’s Kerry Washington to put on the list. Yesterday it was Andrew Scott.

We already have — in addition to Daniel Craig — Josh O’Connor and Cailee Spaeny. So today we added Mr. Ripley and Olivia Pope. All brand names.

Tomorrow? Batman? Spider Man? Horshack? Mrs. Maisel’s maid? No Justin Lupe from “Succession”? (Seems like an obvious choice.) How about Lars from “Mary Tyler Moore”?

Let’s hope the new screenplay isn’t as weighted down as “Glass Onion” and has some of the charm of the first movie. And has a surprise appearance from Ana de Armas.

Mattel’s Next Movie After “Barbie” is “Masters of the Universe,” With New Heart-throb Nicholas Galitzine as “He-Man”

Roger Friedman
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Mattel’s Next Movie After “Barbie” is “Masters of the Universe,” With New Heart-throb Nicholas Galitzine as “He-Man”

Tom Wolfe coined the phrase “Masters of the universe” in his novel, “The Bonfire of the Vanities.” It was a reference to the kings of Wall Street who ran the financial world.

But there’s another Masters of the Universe. They’re from Mattel you franchise. Now, because “Barbie” was such a hit, we’re getting a movie about them from MGM and Amazon.

Nicholas Galitzine, the heart-throb of the year, will star as “He-Man.” Travis Knight is directing the film, which will be released exclusively in theaters worldwide on June 5, 2026. Chris Butler is writing the screenplay (initial draft written by David Callaham, and Aaron and Adam Nee). Plot details are being kept under wraps because, you know, they could affect The Universe.

Galitzine is currently starring in Amazon’s “The Idea of You” with Anne Hathaway. He was also a star of Amazon’s “Red, White, and Royal Blue,” and the Starz Channel’s “Mary and George.” He’s sort of like a young Brad Pitt with a British accent. Imagine if he were starring in a real “Masters of the Universe” about Wall Street. But that would be too upsetting.

There was a 1987 film of “Masters of the Universe” from Mattel that starred Dolph Lundgren, Frank Langella (what?), and a pre-“Friends” Courteney Cox. It was a huge flop although Wikipedia says it’s now a cult film. I heard recently that “Waterworld” is a cult film, too. Soon every box office disaster will be a cult film. Brain washing is a wonderful thing!

Dennis Quaid, With Nothing Left to Lose, Tells Piers Morgan He’s Voting for Trump

Roger Friedman
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Dennis Quaid, With Nothing Left to Lose, Tells Piers Morgan He’s Voting for Trump

Dennis Quaid hasn’t been in a hit movie in 20 years.

As he turns 70, he knows the game. He has nothing left to lose, which is kind of refreshing.

Showing us that he’s no better than brother Randy, Dennis told Piers Morgan today that he’s voting for Donald Trump.

Put a fork in him. He’s done.

Dennis told Piers, “People say he’s an asshole, but he’s my asshole.”

I don’t know if Dennis has a publicist, but whoever it is must be having a stroke right about now.

Quaid is kind of an open Republican already. He’s playing Ronald Reagan in a D movie this summer co-starring other right wingers Jon Voight and Robert Davi. (It also features 80s hearthrob C. Thomas Howell, so you were wrong, he’s alive.)

Dennis’s older brother by four years, Randy, was once thought to be a hot actor. But he and wife Evi turned out to be a low rent kind of “Bonnie and Clyde” around 2010, getting arrested and deported a few times. They tried to move to Canada, but that didn’t work. They managed to find a home in Vermont after being allowed to stay in the US on a technicality. Randy is also a staunch Trump supporter.

Dennis has been married four times. Wife number 3 was Meg Ryan, mother of his first child. That lasted 10 years. His current wife is 39 years his junior. They are both Christians.

It’s not like Dennis Quaid’s endorsement will sway any votes. But look for him to turn up at the Republican convention, maybe speaking for Trump, this summer. “Reagan” will be released by a no-name distributor on August 30th and is now dependent on Quaid not completely imploding before then.

PS The last time I saw Dennis Quaid was in 2019 at a Grammy salute to Willie Nelson. He arrived backstage with his fiancee, now wife, looking like ten miles of unpaved road. Even Willie seemed surprised.

De Niro Con Tix at Tribeca Fest Top Passes Still Available for Extravaganza, Only “Godfather II” and “Jackie Brown” Showings Sold Out

Roger Friedman
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De Niro Con Tix at Tribeca Fest Top Passes Still Available for Extravaganza, Only “Godfather II” and “Jackie Brown” Showings Sold Out

I know Robert De Niro is in the news today regarding the Trump trial. But let’s put that aside.

In three weeks, the Tribeca Festival is offering De Niro Con, a big tribute mini festival over a couple of days featuring screenings, talks, and Q&As with lots of stars, and lots of look backs at Robert De Niro’s career.

Some of the showings are already sold out — like “The Godfather II” and “Jackie Brown.” The latter event features a Q&A with De Niro and Quentin Tarantino.

But screenings for everything else are still very available. I’m surprised. For example: A showing of “Analyze This” with Billy Crystal and De Niro on stage afterwards has a lot of tickets for sale.

So does a screening of “Mean Streets” at the Beacon Theater with De Niro and Martin Scorsese on stage afterward in a discussion moderated by Nas. (I don’t get that, but it sounds cool.)

There are screenings of “Silver Linings Playbook,” and “Raging Bull,” too. Chazz Palminteri is showing the film version of his “A Bronx Tale, as well.

Are the prices too high? Most individual tickets range from $45 to $60.

What’s really available are passes for the whole De Niro Con event. They range from $3500 for “The Godfather” pass, to $500 for the “Goodfella” pass, and $150 for “The Johnny Boy Pass.” There seem to be plenty to buy at all levels. You get a lot for the first two, including be able to rub shoulders with the stars at cocktail parties.

The tickets are a donation to the Tribeca (Formerly Film) Festival, which De Niro, Jane Rosenthal, and Craig Hatkoff started after September 11, 2001. It’s hard to imagine New York now without the Tribeca Fest, which sprawls out all over the city. De Niro is a unique offering, that’s for sure. Count me in!

The fun begins June 14th. See www.tribecafilm.com.

Pop: One Direction Fans Abandon Zayn Malik, Ignore New Album “Room Under the Stairs,” As If It Didn’t Exist

Roger Friedman
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Pop: One Direction Fans Abandon Zayn Malik, Ignore New Album “Room Under the Stairs,” As If It Didn’t Exist

Where are the One Direction fans? They’ve certainly supported Harry Styles’ solo career. They’ve also been there for Niall Horan.

But when it comes to Zayn Malik, the One Direction followers have gone in another direction. They’re outright ignoring his new album, “Room Under the Stairs.”

Released on May 17th, “Room” has sold about 37,700 copies according to Luminate. About 10,000 of those are from streaming, the rest are downloads or CDs.

On Amazon, “Room” is listed at number 1,076. It’s not even on the iTunes Top 200 albums and no singles have broken out.

“Room” is produced and written with Dave Cobb. The album eschewed Zayn’s R&B background for a more country pop sound that seems to have confused his fans. When Malik first left One Direction, he had a big hit with his song, “Pillow Talk.” He also had a massive hit with Taylor Swift from the “50 Shades of Grey” called “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever.”

But those hits were a long time ago — 2016, to be exact. In 2021, Zayn released an album called “No One Is Listening,” and he was right.

A record industry insider says part of the problem is that Malik “is shy.” It’s clear he’s had mental health issues and has no interest in touring. But “Room” isn’t even charting, which is too bad because it’s certainly no worse than most of the material out there, and actually a bit better.

Most of the songs on “Room” are pretty catchy, although one of them has the acoustic guitar riffs from the Eagles’ “Take It Easy.” But that’s no problem these days. Most of Harry Styles’ songs sound like something from the 70s, too.

Anyway, one single is “Stardust.” With a little effort you could imagine it on the radio. And why not give this guy a break?

RIP “The Godfather” Producer Albert Ruddy, 94, Won 2 Oscars, Made His Name as Hollywood Risk Taker, Successful Outlier

Roger Friedman
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RIP “The Godfather” Producer Albert Ruddy, 94, Won 2 Oscars, Made His Name as Hollywood Risk Taker, Successful Outlier

The great film producer, Albert S. Ruddy, has died at age 94.

Ruddy won two Oscars decades apart. The second was for Clint Eastwood’s “Million Dollar Baby” in 2005.

But the first one was for “The Godfather” in 1973. Considered the best contemporary film of all time (aside from “Citizen Kane”), “The Godfather” has resonated with audiences for 50 years.

As a testament to the power of that film, Ruddy also produced the excellent TV miniseries, “The Offer,” in 2022, with Miles Teller playing him. It tells the story of the producer overcame many obstacles to get the landmark film made.

Ruddy’s other credits include the two “Cannonball Run” movies — not critical hits, but very big at the box office, as well as “The Longest Yard,” and the TV mini series, “How the West Was Won.”

Ruddy’s death, after a long illness, comes at a poignant moment. Fred Roos, who also worked for him on “The Godfather,” as casting director, died May 18th at age 89. “The Godfather” director, Francis Ford Coppola, is in the middle of trying to sell his new controversial film, “Megalopolis” after a bad run in Cannes.

There’s an excellent full obit for Al in the Hollywood Reporter. I was lucky to meet him a few times thanks to his wife, Wanda McDaniel, who has always been his staunch supporter and perfect mate. Condolences to Wanda and the whole family. We can never thank Al Ruddy enough for his contributions to Hollywood.

New “Knives Out” Movie Casts Young Prince Charles and Priscilla Presley for “Wake Up, Dead Man”

Roger Friedman
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New “Knives Out” Movie Casts Young Prince Charles and Priscilla Presley for “Wake Up, Dead Man”

You may have heard there’s a new “Knives Out” movie coming in 2025.

Rian Johnson says it’s called “Wake Up Dead Man.” There are no plot details yet for the second Netflix outing and third overall episode starring Daniel Craig as Benoit Blanc. We don’t even know if Hugh Grant is returning as Benoit’s partner.

But we do know that two cast members have been confirmed. Josh O’Connor will play the Hot Guy, Cailee Spaeny will be the Ingenue, or Hot Girl.

Josh won an Emmy for playing Young Prince Charles in “The Crown.” He’s currently heating up a tennis threesome in “Challengers.”

Spaeny won raves as Priscilla Presley in Sofia Coppola’s “Priscilla.” She’s a young war photographer with a lot of film in her bag in “Civil War.”

So who’s next? These movies are a publicist’s dream. All the cast announcements make for good items. There will be young people, old people, and a couple of Hollywood veterans we haven’t thought about in a long time.

You know who’d be funny? Daniel Day Lewis. (Not happening.)

It is time for Dustin Hoffman, however.

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