Country singer Claude King is 87. Actor Stuart Damon is 73. Writer-producer Stephen J. Cannell is 69. Singer-songwriter Barrett Strong is 69. Actor David Selby (”Dark Shadows,” “Falcon Crest”) is 69. Singer Cory Wells of Three Dog Night is 68. Singer Al Kooper is 66. Actress Charlotte Rampling is 64. Actress Barbara Hershey is 62. Actor-director-comedian Christopher Guest is 62. Actor-comedian Tim Meadows (”Saturday Night Live”) is 49. Actress Jennifer Jason Leigh is 48. Actress Laura Linney is 46. Bassist Duff McKagan of Velvet Revolver (and Guns N’ Roses) is 46. Singer Chris Barron of the Spin Doctors is 42. Singer and former Atlanta resident Bobby Brown is 41. Country singer Sara Evans is 39. Actor Jeremy Sumpter (”Peter Pan”) is 21.

−AP

Continue reading Celebrity birthdays Feb. 5: Bobby Brown, Laura Linney, Sara Evans, Jennifer Jason Leigh »

Actress Elaine Stritch is 85. Actor Robert Mandan (”Soap,” “Three’s a Crowd”) is 78. Comedian Tom Smothers is 73. Singer Graham Nash is 68. Actor Bo Hopkins is 68. Singer Howard Bellamy of the Bellamy Brothers is 64. Actor Brent Spiner (”Star Trek: The Next Generation”) is 61. Bassist Ross Valory of Journey is 61. Model Christie Brinkley is 56. Actor Michael Talbott (”Miami Vice”) is 55. Actress Kim Zimmer (”Guiding Light”) is 55. Bassist Robert DeLeo of Stone Temple Pilots is 44. Actress Jennifer Westfeldt is 40. Atlanta rapper T-Mo (Goodie Mob) is 38. Actress Marissa Jaret Winokur is 37. Singer Shakira is 33.

−AP

Continue reading Celebrity birthdays Feb. 2: Shakira, Christie Brinkley, Elaine Stritch, Brent Spiner, T-Mo »

Ho Ho HO-prah!

Oprah Winfrey has sent The Ron Clark Academy some kind of stocking stuffer this Christmas: $1.5 million.

The southeast Atlanta school alerted Buzz moments ago that Winfrey sent the donation after learning the school was having trouble raising money, and told Clark she hoped the contribution would inspire others to follow her lead.

Receptionist Renita Mosley shouted when she opened the mail and discovered this check. NOTE: This photo has been altered slightly, to render bank account numbers illegible.

In true RCA style, the school celebrated with an impromptu rally in the lobby, where shouts and laughter filled the room and happy tears flowed.

“We work so hard to provide scholarships for students of all academic backgrounds and to share our successful teaching methods with the world,” co-founder Kim Beardon said. “We are incredibly thankful for Ms. Winfrey’s support.”

Along with the check, Winfrey included a note praising the school for its work with students …

Continue reading Oprah gives $1.5 million to Ron Clark Academy »

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Tyler Perry was named one of Barbara Walter’s 10 Most Fascinating People for 2009. It was no surprise that Michelle Obama, complete with sleeveless dress, topped the list, which also included Sarah Palin, Bret Favre, Glenn Beck and Michael Jackson’s children. Controversial performance artist Lady Gaga also made the list (and even got Ms. Walters to say “muffin” on air).

During last night’s show, the filmmaker recounted his violent childhood and meteoric rise to fame and fortune by tapping into a faith-based, comedic core that appeals to middle-class African-Americans – mostly women. When asked how he knows what women want, he talked about spending time at shops and hair salons with his aunt and mother, the late Willie Maxine Perry, who were trying to shield him from his abusive father at home.

Continue reading Tyler Perry, Michelle Obama, Glenn Beck ‘most fascinating’ of 2009? »

Several notable Atlanta men were honored this week during the “Men of Style” Awards. The event, held at the Geisha House in Atlantic Station, was hosted by actress Vivica Fox (who looked fab in a short, fitted black dress!) as well as Atlantans Kenny Burns and Fonzeworth Bentley. The awards were part of Gillette Fusion’s MVP Prime Time 5-city tour, which ends today with some stops in local barbershops.

RED CARPET PHOTOS

As for the “Men of Style,” Atlanta honorees included:

Bernard Bronner (Publisher, Upscale Magazine); Mark Hayes (Good Day Atlanta), Frank Ski (V103 Frank & Wanda Morning Show); Doug & Ryan Stewart “the 2 Live Stews” (790 the Zone/ ESPN); Will Packer (Rainforest Films); Ryan Cameron (V103 and Atlanta Hawks announcer); Big Boi (Outkast); Lance Gross (House of Payne); Munson Steed (Publisher of Rolling Out Urban Style Weekly); Sean “The Pen” Garrett (singer/producer); and Shondrae “Bangladesh” Crawford (Music Producer).

Continue reading Atlanta ‘Men of Style’ honored »

• Bella Cucina founder Alisa Barry is getting all sorts of love just in time for the holidays, with a mention in InStyle magazine and on “The Today Show” recently.

• Persistent mayoral hopeful Mary Norwood (right) received a warm welcome at Monday’s Forward Arts Foundation luncheon at the St. Regis. Chaired by Peggy Clinkscales and Susan Forehand and honoring Frances Woodruff “Duffie” DuBose, the event featured an Akris fashion show by Saks Fifth Avenue and benefited the foundation’s charitable activities. Norwood, much in demand during the reception hour, told Buzz that she is pressing forward with a recount effort and noted the new citizens group, Citizens for Fair Atlanta Elections, that has asked Secretary of State Karen Handel to review certain aspects of the recent run-off.

Continue reading Buzz in our ear: Mary Norwood at fashionable benefit »

(Photo by Robb Cohen, for the AJC)

Enough with the enormously successful movies. Tyler Perry misses the stage.

“There is nothing like a live performance,” he told fans in a recent blog posting. “It’s been five years since I’ve been on the road and the timing just happened to fall right into place. I needed to get away from Hollywood for a second (and) clear my head.”

The head-clearing starts in January, as a live touring production of the new play “Madea’s Big Happy Family” launches in Denver. The show makes it back to Georgia for a Feb. 14 performance at the James Brown Arena in Augusta, plays the Savannah Civic Center April 13-14 and will be at the Fox Theatre April 15-18. (Tickets are $41.55 to $126.95; see www.foxtheatre.org).

“Get your tickets early,” Tyler told fans. “I want you to have the opportunity to get good seats first before the rest of the country hears about the advertising, okay?”

Uh, okay.

Continue reading Tyler Perry hits road with new ‘Madea’ stage play »

Want to avoid awkward conversation with relatives you barely know? Use this week’s top celeb news and entertainment items to break the uncomfortable silence.

• ‘Dancing with the Stars’

Donny Osmond took the crown over singer Mya and Kelly Osbourne. Let the “(insert name here) was robbed!” battles begin.

• Adam Lambert

The glam rocker from “American Idol,” who released his debut CD this week, said he has no apologies for the racy AMA performance this week (“I’m not a babysitter”). He said he’s being judged by a double-standard because a woman would not be criticized as much.

• T.I.

The imprisoned rapper’s Atlanta studio/office was vandalized last week. Police say they also found explosive Molotov cocktails nearby and are still investigating.

• ‘New Moon’

The second movie in the “Twilight” vampire series pulled in more than $140 million in its first weekend. With more vampire fans on vacation, we expect the slaying to continue.

More movie times and …

Continue reading What’s the latest celebrity news, gossip? »

(AP)

Pop star Janet Jackson admits that she and Atlanta super producer Jermaine Dupri are just friends.

In a primetime interview Wednesday with Good Morning America’s Robin Roberts, she said, “I adore him. Love him to death.” In fact, Dupri, whom she dated for about seven years, was the one who taught her to love her … assets. She said he taught her that there’s nothing wrong with her body – curves and all (he just picked up some extra points with that move).

Speaking from her Malibu beach house looking amazingly beautiful in a winter white fitted dress, Jackson, 43, also spoke candidly about her family and brother Michael’s death in June.

“You have to accept what is, but it’s hard.” She said that the family tried interventions to stop Michael’s drug use several times but she felt like he was in denial.

She’s still soft-spoken and seemingly shy, admitting that she gets embarrassed when people stare at her. “I’m in the wrong business.”

Roberts took …

Continue reading Janet Jackson confirms break-up with Jermaine Dupri »

Rapper Gucci Mane, known around the Fulton County courthouse as Radric Davis, will be spending some time in the slammer. After pleading guilty to assault in 2005, he was sentenced earlier this month to a year in the clink for a probation violation – failing to fulfill his court-ordered community service. As the AJC reported, he was arrested last week in Atlanta.

In a curious bit of timing his new CD, “The State vs Radric Davis,” comes out Dec. 8. The album, put out byAsylum/Warner Bros. Records, features Keyshia Cole, Lil Wayne, Soulja Boy, Keri Hilson and Usher.

“I have accepted full responsibility for my actions and I am ready to deal with what is in front of me right now,” Mane said in a statement. “Thankfully, my label is still moving forward with my album release so I will have plenty to look forward to when I get out. I am remaining positive and want my fans to know that I am grateful for their loyalty and continued support. I will get through this.”

Continue reading Gucci Mane looks forward to life after year in jail »