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Published Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024 | 11:45 a.m.
Updated Tuesday, Sept. 3, 2024 | 11:45 a.m.
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Actor and singer James Darren has died at a Los Angeles hospital at the age of 88, according to his son. Darren was a teen idol in the late 1950s, starring as Moondoggie in the “Gidget” movies. He turned that success into a singing career, with hits like “Goodbye Cruel World” and “Her Royal Majesty.” Darren starred in the 1960s sci-fi series “The Time Tunnel.” When he appeared on the 1980s show “TJ Hooker,” he noticed that nobody was listed as a director, so he asked if he could try it. That led to a successful career behind the scenes, directing shows like “Walker, Texas Ranger,” “Beverly Hills 90210” and “Melrose Place.” He returned to acting, appearing on “Melrose Place” and “Star Trek, Deep Space Nine.”
ATLANTA (AP) – The estate of Isaac Hayes has won an emergency preliminary injunction that forces former President Donald Trump’s campaign to stop using the song “Hold On, I’m Comin’” by Sam and Dave. However, U.S. District Judge Thomas Thrash denied the estate’s request that the Trump campaign take down any videos that use the song. Hayes co-wrote the song with David Porter. His estate says the campaign is infringing on its copyright. Ronald Coleman, a Trump attorney, says the campaign “has no interest in annoying or hurting anyone” and has already agreed to stop using the song. Hayes’ son, Isaac Hayes the Third, says the decision is an opportunity for other artists who don’t want Trump or other politicians to use their music.
LOS ANGELES (AP) – Taraji P. Henson will receive the AARP’s Purpose Prize for her work eradicating the stigma around seeking treatment for mental health issues. Henson says she is honored to be recognized, and she hopes people will be open about their mental health struggle. Henson founded the Boris Lawrence Henson Foundation in honor of her father, who had untreated mental health issues after returning from the Vietnam War. Seven other individuals also will get the Purpose Prize, which honors those who use their life experience to make the world better. The awards will be given Oct. 1 in Washington.
Jon Snow’s Longclaw sword, Tyrion Lannister’s Hand of the Queen pin and a melted version of the Iron Throne are among the props from “Game of Thrones” that will be sold at auction. The sale also includes Jaime Lannister’s suit of armor, the bell wielded during Cersei Lannister’s walk of shame, bloody clothes from the Red Wedding and multiple versions of Arya Stark’s Needle sword. Jay Roewe of HBO says what sets this auction apart is that the props and costumes were preserved in case they were needed for spinoffs, and now the studio knows what it no longer needs to keep. Heritage Auctions in Dallas will sell the items the weekend of Oct. 10.
LONDON (AP) – Ian McKellen recalls one of his first reviews made him want to become an actor. McKellen says he was 18 and appearing in a production of “Henry the Fourth Part Two.” None of the actors’ names were put in the program. A critic from a national newspaper wrote he wished he knew McKellen’s name because it might become a name to be remembered. Years later, McKellen contacted that critic to thank him. The critic could not remember the performance. McKellen stars as a theater critic who makes and breaks careers in the movie “The Critic,” out Sept. 13.
VENICE, Italy (AP) – Tilda Swinton was not weirded out by playing a woman dying of cancer in the film “The Room Next Door.” Swinton says she is not frightened of death and never has been. Co-star Julianne Moore says one of the unusual things about “The Room Next Door” is that it shows female friends who are older. Moore says it’s a rarity in film, but the importance of such a friendship cannot be overvalued. “The Room Next Door” is playing at the Venice Film Festival and will be released in December.
VENICE, Italy (AP) – The director of a documentary about John Lennon and Yoko Ono in 1972 was able to use their own words, because he got access to their phone calls. Kevin Macdonald says Lennon and Ono recorded all their phone calls because they thought the CIA and FBI were listening in on them. The documentary centers on the only full concert that Lennon gave after The Beatles broke up. It’s showing at the Venice Film Festival but does not have a release date yet.
VENICE, Italy (AP) – Director Peter Weir was able to coax Robin Williams into giving a serious performance in “Dead Poet’s Society” because he convinced Williams to trust him. Weir says he could talk with Williams like anyone else, but if someone entered the room, Williams turned into a performer, trying to make that person laugh. Weir feels Williams felt naked if he wasn’t giving a big performance, but Weir asked him to resist that impulse. Weir says Williams was able to bring out a side of himself that nobody had ever seen with “Dead Poet’s Society.” Weir made his comments as he was given a lifetime achievement award at the Venice Film Festival yesterday.