Denise Nickerson in 2014; Steve Granitz/WireImageDenise Nickerson, the actress best known for playing Violet Beauregard in the 1971 version of Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, died late Wednesday night after being taken off life support, her family announced on Facebook. She was 62 years old. Nickerson suffered a stroke in June of 2018, landing …
The Duffer Brothers say ‘Stranger Things’ season four will expand outside Hawkins
Netflix(LOS ANGELES) — Stranger Things has yet to get the official green light from Netflix for a season four, but the show’s creators Ross and Matt Duffer already have an idea of where the next season would go. The Duffer Brothers tell Entertainment Weekly that season four is “going to feel very different than this …
Regina King to direct adaptation of play about Muhammad Ali, Sam Cooke, Malcolm X and Jim Brown
Credit: ABC/Rick Rowell(LOS ANGELES) — Regina King is taking her directing talents to the big screen. According to Deadline, the Oscar-winner has been tapped to direct a film adaptation of One Night in Miami, based on Kemp Powers’ stage play of the same name. The film will mark King’s first major theatrical directorial debut; she previously directed the BET …
Oprah Winfrey, Kanye West, Denzel Washington make the list of notable Hollywood philanthropists
ABC/Heidi Gutman(LOS ANGELES) — Oprah Winfrey, Kanye West, and Denzel Washington are showing what it means to give back. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the three powerhouses gave back in a major way during the 2018-19 year, donated millions to some of their favorite charities and organizations. Winfrey topped the short list with a $22.5M …
James Holzhauer to return for ‘Jeopardy!’s’ 2019 Tournament of Champions this fall
Jeopardy! Productions(LOS ANGELES) — What is “a rematch”? Professional gambler James Holzhauer is set to appear on Jeopardy!’s 2019 Tournament of Champions this fall, along with librarian Emma Boettcher, the contestant who ended his 32-game winning streak last month. The tournament will feature 15 winners from seasons 34 and 35 of the show. They’ll all …
Katherine Heigl to star and executive produce new Netflix series, ‘Firefly Lane’
Vera Anderson/WireImage(LOS ANGELES) — Katherine Heigl has a new project in the works at Netflix. The former Grey’s Anatomy actress is set to star in and executive-produce an adaptation of the Kristin Hannah novel Firefly Lane. Heigl will play the role of Tully Hurt in the 10-episode series. Netflix describes her character as “a force …
Jessica Simpson reveals her first memoir is coming in February
Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — Jessica Simpson is ready to share her life story with the world. The singer, actress and fashion mogul has announced she’ll be releasing a memoir next February. “I have been waiting for so long to share some exciting news…I will be releasing my first book on February 4th with @harpercollinsus,” …
Actor Rip Torn dies at age 88
Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc(LAKEVILLE, CT) — Rip Torn, whose prolific acting career included an Emmy-winning role as Artie, the producer on TV’s The Larry Sanders Show, and Z in the first two Men in Black movies, died peacefully Tuesday at his home in Lakeville, Connecticut, according to his rep. He was 88. Torn also appeared on …
‘Mulan’ teaser-trailer draws 175 million-plus views in its first 24 hours
Disney(NEW YORK) — The first teaser-trailer for Disney’s upcoming live-action remake of its 1998 animated classic Mulan, which debuted Sunday during Fox’s broadcast of the U.S. women’s soccer team’s victory over the Netherlands in the FIFA Women’s World Cup, logged more than 175 million global online views over its first 24 hours, according to Deadline. …
Stars of Disney’s ‘The Lion King’ feel the love at the movie’s LA premiere
L-R: Donald Glover, Beyoncé Knowles-Carter and Chiwetel Ejiofor; Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney(LOS ANGELES) — The stars of Disney’s live-action remake of the 1994 animated classic The Lion King hit the red carpet for the movie’s world premiere in Hollywood Tuesday night, and for a few in particular, it was a chance to feel like …