JILL JACKSON’S HOLLYWOOD
By Jill Jackson
HOLLYWOOD … Jennifer Lopez has signed on to star in a film titled “Plan B,” about a single woman who attempts to become pregnant by artificial insemination. Then she goes into “The Governess,” and as yet I don’t know the plot. Many think J.Lo was born in Spain or some other Latin country. Not so. Her birthplace is the Bronx, N.Y.
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Out this way they are now dubbing tuxedos “penguin suits.” As for ladies’ attire, they are still holding to those little-black-nothing dresses — no shoulder straps, and short, short, SHORT. It would be a nice change to see some red, yellow or even green. We’ll wait and see what Oscar brings.
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And speaking of the little man, did you know that the very first award went to “Wings” in 1928? Ten films have won eight or more Oscars: “Ben Hur,” “Titanic,” “West Side Story,” “Gigi,” “The Last Emperor,” “The English Patient,” “Gone With the Wind,” “From Here to Eternity,” “On the Waterfront” and “My Fair Lady.” Also, there were several ties in the acting category, e.g., Katherine Hepburn and Barbra Streisand tied in 1968. Kate for “The Lion in Winter” and Barbra for “Funny Girl.”
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Interesting. At one of the Los Angeles premieres of “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button,” Angelina Jolie wore her hair slicked back till she was hardly recognizable, and Brad’s was much darker, accompanied by a dark mustache. He also went with a different look.
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Looks like the wind is shifting. For quite a while, Julia Roberts has been the “numero uno” screen actress of today. At the moment, J.Lo, Kate Winslet and Cate Blanchett are climbing. And an aside to Marjorie K. of Mobile, Ala.: You want to know all about Kate Winslet. Well, “all about her” would fill too many pages, but some about her is this: She was born in Reading, England, in 1975. She comes from a “thespianic” family. Her grandfather owned and operated a repertory theater, and her father and uncles were actors. In high school, she weighed 180 pounds (!) and was dubbed “Blubber.” BUT she went on a strict diet and dropped 50 pounds. For a while she worked in a delicatessen and then turned to acting, appearing anywhere she could find work. Then came the big break, “Titanic,”and her career has been on a romp ever since.
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Another aside to Louise H. of Houston: Yes, I do think Frank Langella is a very fine actor. And yes, he did have “a thing” going with Whoopee Goldberg. (Sort of an odd couple, wouldn’t you say?) … And to Julianne L. of Santa Barbara, Calif.: Brad Pitt’s natural hair color is a light brown. As for that dark mustache he has been appearing with lately, I can’t tell you about that till I get to ask him.
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And to Nannette G. of Carmel, Calif.: Yup, Sean Penn is a superb actor. In the past, he had been a “bad boy.” Once I saw him refuse a youngster an autograph in a “not so nice way.” But that was quite a while back, and I’m told he has changed.
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BITS ’N’ PIECES: Just in case you didn’t know: To be a member of the Motion Pictures Academy, one must be “asked” to join after having been approved by the membership. One CANNOT apply for membership! … Donald Sutherland was right there when son Kiefer received his star on the Walk of Fame. … Shiloh Jolie-Pitt makes her film debut as Cate Blanchett as a baby in “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button.” … AND ’tis “all quiet”on the Paris and Lindsay fronts at the moment.
© 2009 King Features Synd., Inc.