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Actress LESLIE MANN has an unlikely connection to THE ROOTS rapper BLACK THOUGHT - they once trained as acting partners.
The funnywoman took a break from her movie career to raise her two young daughters Maude, 11, and Iris, six, with director husband Judd Apatow.
But before she threw herself back into acting, she decided to take a refresher course to hone her talents - and found herself practising her skills with the hip-hop star, real name Tariq Trotter.
Mann says, "I took a bit of time off to raise my kids and wanted to freshen up my acting skills so I took an acting class and Tariq was my acting partner. He was really good, he’s a really good actor. Danny and the Deep Blue Sea, just a play that we did. I remember he was being very nice and polite."

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BATTLESTAR GALACTICA producer HARVEY FRAND has died at the age of 68.
The star passed away on 23 July (09) after he was hospitalised in Los Angeles with respiratory problems.
Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Frand began his TV career in the 1970s at NBC News but landed his first job as producer in 1982, working on Rock Hudson’s series The Devlin Connection.
He went on to produce a variety of shows in the 1980s and ’90s, including The Twilight Zone, The Lazarus Man, Strange World, and The Young Riders.
But he was most recognised for his work on the sci-fi hit Battlestar Galactica after signing on to the project in 2003. His work behind the scenes garnered him a slew of honours - he won a Peabody Award in 2005, an AFI Award in 2006 and an Emmy Award last year (08).
He picked up his second nomination for the prestigious ceremony earlier this month (Jul09) when the shortlist for the Primetime Emmy Awards were announced.
Paying tribute to Frand, studio executive Todd Sharp for NBC Universal says, "Harvey was the Wizard of Oz, the man behind the curtain, the train engineer, the orchestra conductor, the school guidance counsellor. He was adored by executive producers and production assistants, studio and network, cast and crew." Frand is survived by his partner of 32 years, Bill Bowersock, according to the Hollywood Reporter.

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Hip-hop star KANYE WEST he decided he is the right man to take MICHAEL JACKSON’s crown - declaring himself "the new King of Pop".
The Stronger hitmaker is convinced that he is just as popular as the late Thriller hitmaker and deserves to take on the title of music biggest star now Jackson has passed away.
He tells Scrape TV, "You know everyone loves and respects Michael but times change. It’s so sad to see Michael gone but it makes a path for a new King of Pop and I’m willing to take that on. There’s nobody who can match me in sales and in respect so it only makes sense for me to take over Michael’s crown and become the new King.
"First there was Elvis (Presley), then there was Michael, now in the 21st century it’s Kanye’s time to rule. I am the new King of Pop."

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MADONNA’s video for new single CELEBRATION will be a family affair - the pop superstar’s daughter LOURDES is reportedly set to make a cameo in the promo.
The Material Girl’s 12 year old daughter will take a starring role in the short film, which was shot in Milan by filmmaker Jonas Akerlund earlier this year (09), according to MTV.co.uk.
Lourdes, Madonna’s child from her relationship with personal trainer Carlos Leon, is said to be "desperate to become an actress", and was linked to a role in the Harry Potter film franchise in 2007.
Celebration is one of three new tracks taken from Madonna’s greatest hits album - the first CD to contain all of her chart hits.

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Singer PETER ANDRE has won substantial libel damages from a British tabloid over false claims he had an inappropriate relationship while married to former glamour model KATIE PRICE.
The Mysterious Girl hitmaker launched legal action against The People newspaper over a report in May (09) suggesting he made sexual advances to a woman during his marriage to reality TV star Price.
Bosses later admitted the story was false, and at a hearing in London’s High Court on Friday (31Jul09) Andre accepted substantial, undisclosed damages from the newspaper.
Speaking after the case, he said: "This story has led to a lot of speculation about whether I was faithful to my estranged wife. I have never been unfaithful to my wife, not with this girl or anyone else, and I am pleased that The People has now accepted that their story was untrue and hurtful to myself.
"I also need to add that if anyone slanders my name I will not hesitate to take action against them. Now I hope this will bring these rumours and lies to an end and let me get on with my life. All I know is I’m happy." Andre and Price, who wed in 2005 after meeting on U.K. reality show I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here!, filed for divorce in May (09).

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ROBERT REDFORD struggled to work with SCARLETT JOHANSSON on the set of THE HORSE WHISPERER - because she frustrated him so much.
The actress was 13 when director Redford cast her to star in the 1998 film, and although he acknowledges her acting talent he found it difficult working with her.
In upcoming book Robert Redford: The Biography, a crew member from the movie claims the Lost In Translation star would constantly interpret her scenes against Redford’s own vision.
The book also alleges Johansson’s mum influenced the young actress, causing her to constantly talk back to the director - leading to "friction" between the pair on set.

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HUGH JACKMAN won’t be stepping in to protect MILEY CYRUS anytime soon - the actor’s representative has denied the pair is set to star in a remake of THE BODYGUARD.
The duo was rumoured to be planning a new movie, loosely based on the 1992 Whitney Houston and Kevin Costner hit.
Aussie actor Jackman was expected to play a New York police detective hired to guard a spoiled teen heiress - played by Cyrus - after she receives a kidnap threat.
But the X-Men star has no plans to get in the firing line - he won’t be appearing in the film.
A spokesperson for the actor says the reports are "totally false".

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Former FRIENDS star LISA KUDROW based her hippie character PHOEBE on her co-star JENNIFER ANISTON - because of the actress’ interest in "spiritual" subjects.
Kudrow won an Emmy Award for her role in the hit U.S. show - picking up the prize for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 1998 for her portrayal of wacky masseuse Phoebe Buffay.
But Kudrow admits she found it difficult to relate to her character’s hippie side - and turned to Aniston for inspiration.
She says, "Pheobe was so spiritual and ‘out there’ - and I wasn’t at all. Not at all. If anyone was it was Jennifer. She introduced me to certain books that gave me an insight into that world - which was a more spiritual realm."

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JESSICA SIMPSON’s new TV show THE PRICE OF BEAUTY is a costly affair - she is spending $25,000 (£16,600) an episode to ensure she looks good in front of the camera.
The star is set to jet around the world for the new VH1 project, which will examine different beauty regimes in a variety of cultures.
But TV bosses have been forced to get to grips with the real price of Simpson’s beauty - a staggering $25,000 (£16,600) is spent on a hair and make-up team for the singer, according to New York gossip column PageSix.
A source tells the publication, "To get her camera-ready each episode will cost $25,000. She insists on using her own hair, makeup and fashion stylists, who are more expensive than J.Lo’s." A representative adds, "A budget was approved when the deal was made. All parties were satisfied."

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Country music star HOLLY WILLIAMS is set to walk down the aisle - her drummer boyfriend CHRIS COLEMAN has proposed.
Williams, granddaughter of music legend Hank Williams, was surprised when she was blindfolded and taken for a lavish picnic in Tennessee.
And Coleman made his future wife work for his hand in marriage - by burying her engagement ring in a box.
She explains to People.com, "I dug up a beautiful wooden box with my favourite love quote on it and the engagement date carved in Roman numerals.
"He wood-burned the letters onto the box! He got on one knee and I opened the box, underneath the flowers and basil were the rings. (It was) a perfect engagement."

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Hip-hop star MC HAMMER’s cousin and TV co-star BIGG MARV has been arrested on suspicion of raping a woman he met on social networking website Twitter.
The 33 year old, who appears alongside Hammer in several episodes of his reality show Hammertime, which runs on U.S. network A&E, was taken into custody on Thursday (30Jul09) following accusations he sexually assaulted a 40 year old female.
According to Livermore, California police officer Matt Sarsfield, the pair struck up a flirty relationship via Twitter.com and exchanged a string of emails and phone calls.
Police say the woman claims Bigg Marv - real name Marvin Grant - attacked her after she declined his advances.
But the allegations have not stopped Grant’s famous relative standing by him - Hammer has taken to his own Twitter.com blog to thank fans for supporting his cousin through the scandal.
He writes, "We’re standing by him. (Marv) Welcome to Fame Cousin Marv. We’re praying for you.
"Thanks for your Prayers for Bigg Marv. He’s a good guy, he has not been exposed to the "World of Fame" where you become "The Prey"."

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Director PETER JACKSON is hoping to give his upcoming DAM BUSTERS remake a more "realistic" feel by making the movie in 3D.
The Lord of the Rings moviemaker is working on a new version of the classic 1954 World War II epic, shooting the $36 million (£24 million) project in his native New Zealand.
And he has revealed his is currently filming experimental three-dimensional footage and if the trial is successful, the whole movie will be given the special effects treatment.
He says, "I think a World War Two bombing raid in 3D would be neat."

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British actor BILL NIGHY was due to make his first appearance alongside his niece in new movie EVE - but dropped out five days before filming began.
The Love Actually star had signed up to the cast of the thriller to support 24 year old Jo-Anne, but was forced to quit the project after an engagement arose abroad.
Eve director Jack Davies says, "Bill was supposed to be in the movie, but he cancelled five days before shooting as he had to travel to Los Angeles for a business meeting."

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Legendary comedian/actor PETER SELLERS was plagued by insecurities over his marriage to BRITT EKLAND - and was terrified the blonde beauty would dump him for someone else.
The late star’s fears are revealed in a previously unseen letter he wrote to his wife in March 1964, three weeks after their whirlwind wedding.
The note, written while Ekland was abroad filming a movie, is part of a private memorabilia collection which is set to go to auction in Wiltshire, England next month (15Aug09).
Sellers confesses his worries that Ekland would have an affair while she was away, admitting he couldn’t understand why such a beautiful woman would want to be with an ordinary man like him.
He writes, "I have a dreadful fear that you might leave me. I love you so desperately, that I find it very difficult to understand why you married me. You who are the most lovely thing in the whole world. What do you see in me? I’m not handsome. I’m not tall. I’m not special in any way. Without a doubt I am a raving idiot and I ought to have my head examined." Ekland was filming Guns at Batasi with John Leyton and the pair had kissed at a previous screen test - and Sellers was terrified his wife might leave him for the handsome actor.
He adds, "I thought of something an actor once said to me, that he always had to become involved with the woman he worked with otherwise it didn’t look real. The thought of this made me break out in a cold sweat and want to be sick." The couple went on to have a daughter, Victoria, but divorced in 1968 after four years of marriage.
Sellers died in 1980 aged 54 after suffering a heart attack.

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Legendary England soccer coach SIR BOBBY ROBSON has died at the age of 76.
The former footballer is considered one of the most successful England managers of modern times, having guided the team to the World Cup semi-finals in 1990 and the quarter-finals of the same tournament four years previously.
He was also a successful coach at club level, winning the Uefa Cup with British side Ipswich in 1981, and enjoying spells at the helm of several European teams including Barcelona, PSV Eindhoven, Sporting Lisbon, and Porto.
Robson endured a long battle against cancer, and finally succumbed to the disease on Friday (31Jul09). He leaves a wife, Elsie, and three adult sons; Andrew, Paul and Mark.

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Celebrity photographer ANNIE LEIBOVITZ has been hit with a lawsuit alleging she reneged on a $24 million (£16 million) loan agreement.
The famed snapper was given the huge sum to help escape her "dire" financial circumstances but was reportedly expected to sell her entire art collection and homes in Greenwich Village and Rhinebeck, New York, as part of the deal.
Bosses at Art Capital Group have now filed suit at Manhattan Supreme Court for breach of contract, accusing Leibovitz of flouting the terms of the loan.
Lawyers for the company claim she �will not cooperate" in the sale of the artwork and has ignored invoices totalling hundreds of thousands of dollars, according to the New York Daily News.
Leibovitz insists the claims are �false and untrue� and accused Art Capital of �continued harassment and attention-getting efforts�.
In a statement, the photographer’s spokesman adds: "For now, her attention remains on her photography and on continuing to organise her finances."

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MICHAEL JACKSON’s bid to get fit for his doomed London comeback concerts has come into question after his trainer, former THE INCREDIBLE HULK star LOU FERRIGNO, revealed he’d show up in a suit, refuse to change into gym attire and exercise mildly.
The late King of Pop hired bodybuilder Ferrigno to help him get into shape in time for his 50 shows at the 02 Arena in London - but, while Jackson wanted to perfect everything else linked to his live return, the pop star didn’t seem to want to take work-outs very seriously.
Ferrigno tells Life & Style magazine, "His workout was nothing strenuous. He would walk on the treadmill for 10 to 15 minutes, and then weâ��d use the exercise ball to do different core exercises, crunches, lower-back exercises. Weâ��d work with a rubber band on his legs." And Jacko’s gym outfits left a lot to be desired: "Heâ��d wear black shoes, a white T-shirt, black pants, black socks and a black jacket… Heâ��d keep his tailored jacket on!" Ferrigno insists that as the weeks counted down and the tragic star’s first comeback show loomed, he started to fear his celebrity client would not be fit enough for the concerts.
The top trainer admits, "By the end, Michael didnâ��t look like he was going to be ready for the tour. He was always underweight. Heâ��d eat only one meal a day. He didnâ��t want to gain weight. I tried to get him to eat, but I couldnâ��t force him." And Jackson knew he wasn’t fit enough for his comeback: "He always said, â��I canâ��t wait to do this tour; I just wish I had more time to train. If heâ��d had two or three more months, it wouldâ��ve been a lot safer." The King of Pop died after suffering a cardiac arrest on 25 June (09).

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MISCHA BARTON’s TV co-stars have hit back at reports she’s jeopardised her health by returning to work on new show THE BEAUTIFUL LIFE following her recent stint in hospital - insisting the actress is doing "great" on set.
The former The O.C. star was allegedly placed under involuntary psychiatric hold at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles earlier this month (Jul09) after reportedly suffering a meltdown and calling cops to her Hollywood home.
Barton was released over the weekend (25-26Jul09) after a week of treatment, and her representative insisted the actress was eager to get back to work on Ashton Kutcher’s new drama series in New York.
The star’s close circle of friends have voiced fears that she needs more "aggressive" therapy to get back to her best before returning to work, according to the New York Daily News.
But her co-stars Sara Paxton and Ben Hollingsworth insist Barton will wow audiences with her triumphant return to TV.
Paxton tells People.com, "We had our first read-through (29Jul09) and we’re all so very excited to have her back. She’s such a great girl. We really didn’t talk about everything that’s been going on. It was really all work." Hollingsworth adds, "We were all worried about her. We didn’t really know what was going on, but she’s looking great. She’s feeling great and it’s just good to have her back. We start shooting again on Friday (31Jul09) and she’s ready to work. We’re all ready to jump into it and are very excited - even Mischa." Barton, 23, is set to play Sonja Stone, a catwalk beauty addicted to pills, on the new show, which is scheduled to debut in September (09).

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