Buzz Briefs: Will Smith, Luther Vandross
Work Ethic Propels Will Smith To Stardom
Will Smith says he's not a great actor - but he's a hard-working one.
"I've never viewed myself as particularly talented. I've viewed myself as slightly above average in talent," Smith told CBS' "60 Minutes" in an interview scheduled for broadcast Sunday, Dec. 2.
"Where I excel is with (a) ridiculous, sickening work ethic," Smith said. "While the other guy's sleeping, I'm working. While the other guy's eating, I'm working. While the other guy's making love, I mean, I'm making love, too, but I'm working really hard at it!"
Smith's latest movie, "I Am Legend," opens in two weeks.
'Bid' Farewell To Luther Vandross
Fans of the legendary singer, who died in 2005 at 54, will have a chance to bid on more than 1,000 items that offer a glimpse into his superstar existence.
On Dec. 5-6, his estate will auction just about everything: his handwritten lyrics to "Love Forgot"; the army green thermoses from which he sipped hot tea during his concerts; designer loafers and boots; Lalique crystal vases, glasses and doorknobs.
The items come from his former homes in Beverly Hills, Calif.; Greenwich, Conn.; and New York City; and from his tours.
"This mink-lined chair symbolized the lap of luxury that Luther lived in and just how a star, a world-class entertainer, kind of lived it out in his private life, too," said Max Szadek, his personal assistant for 13 years as he walked through 13,000 square feet of items displayed at an auction house in a suburban office park.
The touring and music memorabilia on sale span his career, with a record from David Bowie's "Young American," on which Vandross sang background, to a double platinum certification of "Dance With My Father," Szadek said.
The collection is valued between $600,000 and $800,000, said John Nye, whose Morris Plains, N.J.-based auction house, Dawson & Nye, is handling the sale.
Bringing Hollywood To The Troops
Like he always does on those visits, Hollywood's endurable cheerleader asked who she would like to see most over the holidays. Tom Cruise? George Clooney? Brad Pitt?
"She wanted to see her 5-month-old baby," said Grant, who choked up as he recalled the encounter. "I told her I was having lunch with a bunch of generals and maybe I can help get her home." But she wouldn't have anything to do with that.
"She said, 'Sir, I made a commitment to my country and I intend to keep it."
Grant, who traveled with Bob Hope for decades on USO Christmastime trips, prepared Friday for his 60th overseas holiday trip to visit U.S. troops. Actresses Stefani Powers, Kate Linder and Karri Turner will also be along, as well as Victoria's Secret supermodels.
This year the troupe is heading for Cuba's Guantanamo Bay, where Grant will be grand marshal for Saturday's holiday parade on the military base.
Grant's been making holiday USO tours for 65 years, but he's slowing down as he approaches his 85th birthday and the Guantanamo trip will reluctantly be his last.
"It will be a bittersweet trip for me," he said. "The USO and military have been a big part of my life, ever since WWII, when as a GI, I emceed a show and introduced Bob Hope."
Ellen Barkin's Movie Lawsuit With Ex Keeps Rolling
Perelman, 63, sued Barkin and her brother George in New York on Wednesday, claiming they siphoned money from a film production company they formed together and used it to create a competing company and pay George Barkin $250,000 a year.
Perelman and Barkin, 53, divorced in 2006. She sued him in August, saying he had failed to keep an agreement made before their divorce to fund the company they created, Applehead I, with $3.4 million. Barkin and her brother continue to operate the production company.Photos: Star Splits
Chris Taylor, a spokeswoman for Perelman, issued a statement Wednesday saying Barkin's lawsuit to get money for Applehead I was an attempt "to further enrich herself."
A spokeswoman for Applehead issued a statement Thursday calling Perelman's lawsuit "frivolous," "without merit" and "yet another attempt to avoid honoring his written contract to contribute more than $3 million to Applehead Pictures."
"The fact is, Applehead only has money because others stepped in to contribute what Perelman wrongfully withheld," the statement says. "Perelman's cynical abuse of the legal system is disappointing, but not surprising."
Akon Going To Jail? It's A Toss Up
Akon is scheduled to appear in Fishkill Town Court on Monday morning for arraignment on a misdemeanor charge of endangering the welfare of a minor, and second-degree harassment, a violation, according to a news release from Police Chief Donald Williams.
Audience members said that a spectator lobbed something at Akon and that the singer asked the crowd to point out the culprit. A security guard picked out a 15-year-old and sent him up to the stage, where Akon hoisted him onto his shoulders and flung him into the crowd.
The boy landed on Abby Rosa, who told the Poughkeepsie Journal she was later found to have a concussion. She said she has hired a lawyer and spoken to Fishkill police.
The singer's Manhattan lawyer, Benjamin Brafman, released a statement a few days after the June 3 concert at Dutchess Stadium saying there was no basis for criminal charges. A call to his office Thursday evening was not immediately returned.
In April, Akon drew criticism for having on-stage simulated sex with a 14-year-old girl at a concert in Trinidad. He later apologized, saying he didn't realize the girl was underage. The incident led Verizon to withdraw its sponsorship of Akon's tour with Gwen Stefani, with whom he performs on the hit song "The Sweet Escape."
Akon's latest album, "Konvicted," has sold more than 1 million copies in the United States. His hits include "Don't Matter," "I Wanna Love You" with Snoop Dogg and "Smack That" with Eminem. He won favorite male soul/rhythm & blues artist at the American Music Awards this month.
Reese Witherspoon Is Highest-Paid Actress
Reese Witherspoon is Hollywood's highest-paid actress commanding $15 million to $20 million a movie, topping the Hollywood Reporter's annual list.
Angelina Jolie was in second place on the list. The 32 year-old actress typically demands comparable salary but took a relative discount in earning $8 million for her role in the animated "Beowulf" film.
Cameron Diaz took the bronze medal with a $15 million-per-movie price tag. Nicole Kidman dropped two spots from last year to fourth place, commanding $10 million to $15 million. Renee Zellweger rounded out the top 5 highest paid actresses also demanding $10 million to $15 million..
The complete list is featured in The Hollywood Reporter's "Women in Entertainment: Power 100" issue, which hits newsstands Tuesday.
Photo Essay: Reese Witherspoon
Ronald Goldman's Father Sues Web Site Over O.J. Book Downloads
The father of Ronald Goldman has sued a Swedish file-sharing Web site to thwart the posting of O.J. Simpson's New York Times best-selling book "If I Did It: Confessions of the Killer," about the murder of Ronald Goldman and Simpson's ex-wife.
In the lawsuit filed Thursday, Fred Goldman claims he has lost more than $150,000 since the Swedish Web site "The Pirate Bay" began making the book download available free of charge.
A court awarded 90 percent of the book royalties to Goldman as part of an ongoing legal fight. A civil court found Simpson liable in the deaths of Ron Goldman and Nicole Brown Simpson and ruled he owed $33.5 million, now $39 million with interest.