Clint Eastwood (left) was honored by French President Nicolas Sarcozy (AP).

Screen giant Clint Eastwood and Anne Cox Chambers, chairman of Atlanta Newspapers, which owns The AJC, were honored for their cultural contributions at the Culture Ministry in Paris on Friday.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy awarded actor/director Eastwood with the Legion of Honor, recognizing his body of work, his longevity and his ability to delight audiences around the globe, according to the award citation.

“It is just a great pleasure for me. I really love France. I love movies, and I love the appreciation that the French people have for movies,” Eastwood, 79, said.

Former French President Jacques Chirac had recognizred Eastwood as a knight of the Legion of Honor two years ago, and Friday’s decoration was a step up for Eastwood to grade three on the legion’s five-grade scale.

Chambers was awarded Commander in the Legion of Honor. It is the most recent of numerous honors bestowed upon Chambers, …

Continue reading Actor/director Clint Eastwood honored in Paris »

 Loading …

We’re sad to say but the Katt Williams drama continues. We go from burglary charges to the 911 call from a 17-year-old dude to being kicked out of the Four Seasons hotel.

AJC is reporting that just days after his release from the Coweta County Jail, the comedian says he was kicked out of the posh Four Seasons Hotel in Midtown.

Katt held a press conference in Atlanta Thursday night and told everyone that he was asked to leave the upscale hotel on 14th Street after employees claimed he was causing a disturbance.

He even told local TV station 11Alive that he recently bought a penthouse at the Four Seasons and had rented seven rooms for seven nights.

“I haven’t been here 72 hours and I’m being kicked out of the Four Seasons even though I paid up front and in cash. I don’t understand,” he …

Continue reading Katt Williams kicked out of Atlanta hotel? »

(Photo: Fulton County Sheriff's Office)

Atlanta rapper Gucci Mane is in a Fulton County jail for a probation violation. Guess this wasn’t the ’spotlight’ he and Usher are singing about in their new single − or maybe it is. Gucci was expected to drop a new CD Dec. 8.

We were just talking about him last month when he was at the BET Hip-Hop Awards performing a surprising three songs. His track popularity was definitely on the rise.

According to our AJC colleagues, the rapper, who’s real name is Radric Davis, is currently at the Fulton County jail and is due to be released in May 2010, according to jail officials.

It is unclear how Davis violated his probation. It’s also unclear how his legal troubles will affect his album release and future projects.

BTW: For our hip-hop purists, Gucci was reportedly born in Birmingham and moved to Atlanta in the 4th grade. So he is not a “native” Atlantan but he is an Atlantan.

Continue reading Gucci Mane in jail in Atlanta »

(Photo: Curtis Compton/AJC)

The AJC’s David O’Brien is reporting that the Atlanta Braves have sealed a deal with pitcher Tim Hudson.

The three-year contract extension includes a fourth-year option for 2013. The contract is believed to be worth close to $9 million per season.

Get more news and stats on the Atlanta Braves blog.

Continue reading Tim Hudson signs deal with Atlanta Braves »

A capacity crowd of eco-fabsters packed the Georgian Ballroom at the Biltmore Tuesday afternoon, mingled with local notables such as CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta (left) and B98.5 FM’s Vicki Locke, then sat down to hear some jarring news.

Ken Cook, president of the Environmental Working Group (and not our local weatherman, as he clarified), discussed findings of a 2004 study. Researchers analyzing the blood of 10 Americans found traces of more than 400 chemicals, including potential carcinogens.

He also noted the recent Forbes magazine report tagging Atlanta as the most toxic city in the nation.

Fun lunch, huh? But for all the downer news Cook ended on a positive note, pointing out that lead and PCB levels have dropped dramatically since lead was removed from gasoline and PCBs were banned. Education through events like Tuesday’s “Enlightenment Lunch,” co-hosted by Lisa Tush and Laura Turner Seydel, “is a big part of the solution,” Cook said.

Information: …

Continue reading Dr. Sanjay Gupta, Vicki Locke get green »

Warrick Dunn no longer plays football here, but his dedication to the Atlanta area remains strong.

His foundation, which provides homes to single moms and their kids, remains active here and in fact presented two local women, Barbara Murgerson and Tamaneka Butler, both moms of three, the keys to their new homes on Tuesday.

“I am in complete awe,” Murgerson said.

Continue reading Ex-Falcon Warrick Dunn still helping Atlanta »

(Courtesy of PETA)

Our AJC colleague Alexis Stevens reports that Atlanta Falcons fans now have even more to love of tight end Tony Gonzalez and his wife, October.

After feasting our eyes on this photo, we see why.

It’s the latest ad in PETA’s “Rather Go Naked Than Wear Fur” campaign.

(More celebs get naked for PETA)

Yum!

 Loading …

Continue reading Falcons tight end Tony Gonzalez, wife bare all for PETA »

(AP)

Did the infamous kiss between Toni Braxton and Atlantan Trey Songz break up her marriage?

We all know how celebrity rumor mills churn, especially when they’re trying to tear people down. But after reviewing said kiss a few times … well, we don’t like to judge. We’ll just let you decide for yourself.

Just to catch you up, the singers performed the song “Yesterday” during the opening of the 2009 Soul Train Awards, which were taped Nov. 3 in Atlanta (the show will air on BET at 9 p.m. on Nov. 29). With Braxton’s husband, Keri Lewis formerly of the band Mint Condition, sitting in the audience, the two singers topped the performance off with what looks like a pretty intimate kiss.

Since then, radio DJS, TV hosts and blogs including Essence.com, have speculated that Braxton, in her 40s, and hubby are now separated. Many wonder if it’s linked to the intimate tongue wrestling seen on stage with the 25-year-old.

Hmmm…

Continue reading Toni Braxton, Trey Songz kiss broke up her marriage? »