Buzz Briefs: Antonio Banderas, Hulk Hogan
Father Of Antonio Banderas Dies
The father of Antonio Banderas died in his son's home in Spain, the actor's publicist said Sunday. He was 87 years old.
"Jose Dominguez Prieto, loving father of Antonio Banderas, died Saturday, Feb. 2 in Banderas' home in Marballa, Spain," Robin Baum said in a statement.
Dominguez Prieto, who was a policeman in the Spanish Civil Guard for 45 years, had been ill for some time, Baum said.
He is survived by the actor, another son and his wife of 50 years, Ana Banderas.
Antonio Banderas, 47, rose to fame in his native country appearing in movies by noted director Pedro Almodovar, like "Matador," "Women on the Verge of a Nervous Breakdown," and "Tie Me Up, Tie Me Down." In the U.S. he's appeared in "Evita," "The Mask of Zorro," and is the voice of Puss-In-Boots in "Shrek II" and "Shrek III." He is married to actress Melanie Griffith, with whom he has an 11-year-old daughter, Stella.
Hayden Christensen: Country Boy
Forget the Hollywood life, Hayden Christensen was looking for something new and followed his urge to buy a farm in Toronto.
Christensen told CosmoGIRL!, "I just got the inkling to move up to the country."
The heartthrob actor certainly took to his new surroundings in a big way. "Once you're there, you want all of these animals. So right now I have two resident miniature pot-bellied pigs, Petunia and Buddy. Once I build a barn, I'm going to get horses, cattle, and sheep. It's great to hang out with animals and just have them there to look at," he said.
Christensen also dishes in the interview - featured in the magazine's February issue - about his most romantic move.
He said, "I made a swing for someone one time. I carved it out of wood and hung it from a tree. She really liked it. It's up at the farm."
Justin Chambers Gets Medical Help For Sleeping Disorder
Chambers, 37, voluntarily checked himself into UCLA Medical Center "to get help with a pre-existing sleeping disorder," his publicist, Danica Smith, said.
He entered the center Monday and checked out Wednesday. Other details weren't provided.
Chambers "asks that the press respect his privacy and that of his family," according to a statement issued Friday.
The Soap Dish On The Spears Family
"All My Children" starlette Leven Rambin, against the advice of stylist Shane Cisneros, couldn't hold back her opinions on Jamie Lynn Spears' pregnancy and the plight of older sister, Britney Spears, of course while holding court at the Tracy Reese show Sunday night at New York Fashion Week.
"I love Jamie Lynn! I just think it's so awesome that she's having a baby," Rambin said of the 16-year-old pregnant star of Nickelodeon's "Zoey 101."
Rambin said she "hung out" back in the day in Texas "my friend's mother and Lynn Spears were friends, so we'd go backstage at Britney's concerts and stuff."
As for 26-year-old Britney, whose behavior has become erratic since she filed for divorce from Kevin Federline in November 2006?
"Britney right now," she said, "well, I kind of just wish I could give her a hug. But Jamie Lynn is so cool."
Cisneros, who suggested that Rambin not comment, just rolled his eyes when she did. "Sometimes she's just a little too unjaded," he said.
Hulk Hogan Is Celebrity Monarch At Carnival Weekend
A second round of gunfire that marred Saturday night's parade did not appear to deter Sunday's merrymakers.
"It's a family party in this area," said John Wilson, 47, who was cooking burgers along the uptown parade route. "We come every year and have never had a problem.
The atmosphere was relaxed, children sat atop ladders to catch beads, and people strolled the streets laughing and talking, many with food or drinks in hand.
Crowds lined historic St. Charles Avenue before dawn, setting up tents and setting out lawn chairs for the duration.
Four parades rolled through the city before Bacchus, one of the "Super Krewes," with almost three dozen glitzy floats, 36 bands and Hulk Hogan as the celebrity monarch.
"We came for the duration," said David Segueria, 22, who was setting up a 32-inch television along with his barbecue pit and generator. "Can't be better than this, Bacchus and the Super Bowl.
Like Segueria, many intended to combine the parade and the game. Televisions dotted the street, but not everyone intended to stay.
"I'm going home for the game," said Patrick Wadkins, of Jefferson, La., who had been out since 6 a.m. "I may not get to see it though. When you start on Bloody Marys at nine and beer at noon, you may not be awake by kickoff."