Ooooooh, baby! Victoria Beckham gets a good luck kiss from hubby right before her final performance as a Spice Girl. Yes, the tour’s finally over, but get your nostalgia trip from other backstage scenes.

Brad Renfro’s promising career (credits include The Client, Apt Pupil) was overshadowed by his drug addiction, and cut permanently by his death by accidental heroin overdose. But did it merit this snub from the Academy? The actor was completely omitted from the “In Memoriam” video tribute played at the Oscars event.

Those closest to his family said that they were deeply hurt by the ommission. The Academy reps said that wasn’t their intention — and that in their desire to honor everyone from all aspects of the industry, sometimes bigger names were left out.

Oh come on, would a 2-second mention really have hurt?

In a poignant ceremony  Michelle Williams and other mourners bid a final farewell to Heath Ledger by diving into the ocean after the cremation service. “It’s what Heath would’ve wanted.”

Many of them laughed and splashed in the water, but the mood shifted considerably as the sun descended. The crowd headed to the shore, standing in line with linked arms, saying goodbye to one of the most promising — and beloved — actors in Hollywood.

Observing Williams, one mourner said: “The sun goes down on our love, but it will never go down on Heathy.”

Comedian & Everybody Loves Raymond actor Peter Boyle has died, he was 71-year-old.  Boyle died Tuesday at New York-Presbyterian Hospital after waging a fatal battle on myeloma & heart disease.

Peter spent nine years of his life playing the obnoxious father & husband Frank Barone on the hit TV sitcom Everybody Loves Raymond.  Doris Roberts played opposite Boyle as his overbearing wife Marie Barone.  Roberts said of Peter’s death, “it’s like losing a spouse.”

“I’m going to miss my dear friend, so unlike the character he played on television.”

“He’s a brilliant actor, a gentleman, incredibly intelligent, wonderfully well read and a loving friend.”

Ray Romano, who’s comedy the TV series was based on, said he didn’t know a soul when he moved to Los Angeles to work on the show.

“Peter immediately took me under his wing and became my friend and mentor,” Romano said.

“He gave me great advice, he always made me laugh, and the way he connected with everyone around him amazed me.”

Peter Boyle is survived by his wife Loraine & daughters Lucy and Amy. Boyle celebrated his 71st birthday on October 18.

Peace be with his family.

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George Clooney’s pal of a pig died Friday & went to piggie heaven.  The 300-pound potbellied pig shared Clooney’s Hollywood Hills home, and sometimes his bed.  How nice for the ladies Clooney brings home….  Max the pig died while George was out of town promoting the new film, The Good German. 

“He just died, like an hour ago, Clooney stated.  George had Max since he was a piglet, 18 years ago.  He gained actual custody of Max after he broke up with shacked-up girlfriend, Kelly Preston.  

“He was as old a pig as the vets had ever seen. I was really surprised, because he’s been a big part of my life,” the Sexiest Man Alive went on to say.

“It has been a bad year for my pets,” Clooney revealed.

“I had a bulldog that died this year, too. It’s strange how animals become a big part of your family. They really become a big issue with you.”

When asked if Clooney would get another pig, the actor stated, “No.  I think Max covered all my pig needs.”

I love George Clooney, I mean, come on, who even has a pet potbellied pig?  Not many of us.  And I have to say, 18 years is a long time for a Hollywood relationship, or any kind of relationship for that matter!

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A true great died Monday night at a Los Angeles hospital.  81-year-old Robert Altman, the brains behind M*A*S*H & Short Cuts, died peacefully Monday of complications from cancer. 

The five-time Academy Award nominee & Lifetime Achievement Academy Award recipient, Altman had a passion for movies that could not be contained.  The Missouri-born director was a bomber pilot in World War II and studied engineering at college before applying for a job in industrial film.

When accepting his lifetime achievement award in early 2006, Altman stated, “No other filmmaker has gotten a better shake than I have. I’m very fortunate in my career. I’ve never had to direct a film I didn’t choose or develop. My love for filmmaking has given me an entree to the world and to the human condition.”

Altman’s last film was A Prairie Home Companion that featured a star-studded cast including, Meryl Streep, Lily Tomlin, Lindsay Lohan, Kevin Kline, & Tommy Lee Jones.

Robert Altman is survived by his wife, Kathryn, sons Robert & Matthew, his daughter, Christine & two other sons from previous marriages, Michael & Stephen.

May you go in peace, Robert.  You done good.

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Trailblazing pioneer journalist Ed Bradley died of leukemia Thursday.  The forward-thinking 65-year-old correspondent had a long career working with CBS, reporting for the news agency since 1967. 

Bradley’s inquisitive nature, his trademark earring & his resiliant spirit all made the man a tremendous reporter and added vitality to news reporting once again.

“We have lost one of America’s best,” Dan Rather stated.

“As a compassionate, sensitive person, he was an example of all a conscientious and dedicated journalist can be.”  -but rarely are.

He will be sorely missed.  So long, Ed, you did good.

Bradley is survived by his artist wife Patricia Blanchet, whom he married in 2004. 

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On a sad day on November 1, Adrienne Shelly’s husband found her hanging from a shower rod in her Manhattan office; police & family assumed the indie actress’ death an unfortunate suicide.  Until, that is, 19-year-old construction worker Diego Pillco was arrested Monday in connection to death of Shelly. 

Reports are now coming in that Pillco allegedly punched the petite Shelly when she complained about the construction noise he was making.  The heavy punch to such a small woman, reports claim, instantly killed her.  Pillco has admitted to dragging her body upstairs to her West Village office and positioning her body so that it would make her death appear a suicide.   

Adrienne Shelly is best known for her roles in the films Trust, The Unbelievable Truth & Sleeping with Strangers.  Shelly is survived by her husband Andy Ostroy and her 3-year-old daughter Sophie.  What a sad, unnecessary loss.

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Anna Nicole Smith buried her 20-year-old son Daniel Wayne Thursday in the Bahamas.  Daniel died September 10 after a lethal combination of methadone, Zoloft & Lexapro.  He was visiting his mom & newborn sister Dannielynn in the hospital we he passed away. 

A private memorial service was held for the young man with about 25 guests in attendance and was reportedly held at Lake View cemetery.  Daniel was buried in his favorite type clothes- a trucker cap, t-shirt & blue jeans.
 
Sources indicate that Anna Nicole was wearing a black dress & veil made specifically for the occasion by Beverly Hills couture designer friend Pol Atteu, the same pal who made Anna’s wedding dress for her last minute semi-wedding to lawyer Howard K. Stern.

There are so many things wrong with this, I cannot begin.

May Daniel rest in peace is all I can say.

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According to pathologist Cyril Wecht Anna Nicole Smith’s 20-year-old son Daniel Wayne died from a lethal combination of methadone, Zoloft & Lexapro.

Wecht was hired by Smith to conduct a second autopsy on her son & the results from the toxicology tests were revealed yesterday.

Both Zoloft & Lexapro are antidepressants, while methadone is used to treat heroin addiction.

Daniel died September 10 in his mother’s hospital room while he was visiting her in the Bahamas after she gave birth to a baby girl named Dannie Lynn Hope.

In a revelation, Smith’s longtime lawyer & confidant Howard K. Stern revealed Tuesday that he is the father of the baby girl, although earlier reports had said photographer Larry Birkhead owned that responsibility.

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In a one-hour long special on 2020 last night, Barbara Walters gave a compelling interview with the strong & courageous widow of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin, Terri Irwin.   

Millions watched as Terri tried to hold back tear through the entire interview.  Mrs.  Irwin spoke on everything from her son Bob’s pining for his father to her eight-year-old daughter Bindi’s strength & understanding.

Terri said it wrecked her heart to have to tell her two-year-old son Bob that his daddy had died.  Bob cried and cried and couldn’t stop pining for his famous father.

“He cried for his Daddy,” Terri said, holding back the tears.

Despite her husband’s shocking death from a stingray barb earlier this month, Terri said she has no fears for Bindi or Bob if they choose to follow in Steve’s footsteps as “wildlife warriors.”

Terri stated that the two young children were “blessed” to grow up in a zoo and have a strong love for animals.

“My fears are any fears any mother has,” Terri said.

“I have a wonderful gift that my children are growing up in a zoo and instead of them hating and fearing wildlife, they embrace it.”

Terri relived how she broke the tragic news to Bindi & Bob that their father had died.

“I told Bindi ‘In life you steel yourself for things that go wrong’,” Terri revealed, holding back those enormous tears.

“And I said ‘When something goes wrong you have to have faith and you have to believe it can be a new chapter and that we can go on’.

“And I said ‘We are still a family. Daddy still loves you and we have to stay together and get each other through this’.”

Terri & her children were on a trekking holiday in Tasmania on September 4 when her brother-in-law called with the life-alerting news that Steve had died.

“Bindi was okay until Robert (Bob) woke up,” Terri told Walters.

“Robert asked me twice what happened and I explained it to him. It took him longer to get his mind around it.

“He cried for his Daddy: ‘I want my Daddy to come. I want my Daddy to come now’.

“I’m okay until my kids cry.”

Terri said Bob recently took a screwdriver out of a tools drawer and said he was off to fix the family motorbike.

“Off he goes, very carefully carrying it like it was a lit candle,” she said. “Goes up to the motorbike and starts poking at it. I said, ‘What are you doing to the motorbike?’ He said, ‘I’m fixing the motorbike so daddy can drive it from heaven.’ ”

Gush, gush.  I don’t think I’ll be able to hold back those tears.

The world stood still last week as eight-year-old Bindi spoke at her father’s memorial service at Australia Zoo’s Crocoseum last week.  She never shed a tear, a very strong little girl they have brought up.

Walters, who was at the memorial service admired how calmly Bindi has spoken & asked Terri if she had truly understood that her father was gone.

“Absolutely, she understands,” Terri responded.

“She always understood because living at a zoo, animals die.

“She has seen death. She knows what death is.

“She said I want to be at the memorial and say something about my Daddy.”

Terri, however, could not speak at the memorial service, the pain being too close to her eyes.

“I couldn’t,” Terri said.

“It’s hard now.

“I’m really trying, but I’ve lost my prince.

“I’ve lost my prince.”

Terri revealed that she still cries all the time, but not in front of Bindi & Bob.

“They’ve seen me cry, but there are times when I weep,” Terri said.

“I usually weep alone.”

I hope you were able to watch the Barbara Walters interview, it was masterful & beautiful.  Our peace & love go out to the Irwin family.

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Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin’s widow Terri has refused to watch the footage of her husband’s death by a stingray barb to the heart off the coast of Australia.  Even though Steve had stated before his death that if he should ever die on tape, he would wish that footage to be shown.

In an interview to air tonight with Barbara Walters on 20/20 Terri stated, “What purpose would that serve?”

Irwin’s best friend & business manager John Stainton, who has seen the film, supports Terri’s decision.

He told Walters, “It’s just a horrible piece of film tape.”

Steve was filming a special underwater film for his daughter Bindi’s new TV show when the stingray struck with its poisonous barb.

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Breaking News: Anna Nicole Smith Dead

OMG! In breaking news, it looks like Larry Birkhead may not be the father of Anna Nicole Smith’s newborn daughter. Anna Nicole’s lawyer Howard K. Stern has come forward to say that he is the “proud father” of her baby girl who was born three days before her son Daniel Wayne died unexpectedly in the Bahamas.

Stern told CNN’s Larry King Live on Tuesday evening, “It’s been very rough.”

“She said that she didn’t want to trade out children, meaning she didn’t want one to be born and another to die.”

20-year-old Daniel Wayne died quite suddenly September 10 while he was visiting his mother in the maternity ward of the Bahamas hospital. Stern was with Anna Nicole & her son when he died that night. He informed Larry King that they had named their newborn daughter Dannie Lynn Hope to keep Daniel Wayne’s memory alive.

Stern’s daughter with Anna Nicole is “the one thing that is really keeping her going,” the lawyer stated.

“And through it all, even with all the pain, she has been a great mom, a very attentive mom.”

“Anna and I have been in a relationship and we love each other and it’s been going on for a very long time.” Stern said. “Because of my relationship as her lawyer, we felt that it was best to keep everything hidden.â€�

Stern told King that he & new mom Anna Nicole plan to stay in the islands long term, for to give their daughter a new life, away from the prying eyes of the media.

Larry asked Howard if the two planned on getting married, Stern responded, “I’ve loved her for quite some time and hopefully the feeling’s mutual. At some point, we will. Right now we have to somehow get through what we’re going through.”

However we might still have the jury out on the paternity of Dannie Lynn Hope, photojournalist Larry Birkhead sent a statement to CNN countering Stern’s claim of paternity. He stated, “I’ve been told by Anna Nicole Smith that I’m the father of her newborn child. I have proof of it…I am requesting that a DNA test take place in the United States.”

â€�Does it give you concern that there might be a shot that the DNA might exclude you?â€� King asked the attorney, reading Birkhead’s statement. “Or is there no doubt that you’re the father?â€�

â€�I think based on the timing of it, that there shouldn’t be a doubt,â€� Stern countered.

As for the mysterious cause of Daniel Wayne Smith’s death, Stern said, “We’re still waiting to find out what the cause is.”

“We also now have an indication that there may have been other prescriptive medication in his system.”

Wow. That’s a Wednesday morning doozie.

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Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin’s widow Terri has spoken about her grief for the first time to the press about her husband’s untimely & sudden death.

In an interview with Australia’s Channel 9, Terri reveals that despite being heartbroken and lying on the floor ”curled up on the floor in a fetal position” she has received much encouragement and support from her eight-year-old daughter Bindi.

Terri stated that Bindi tells her mom, “She says, ‘Mummy, why are you worried? Daddy’s still with us.’”

Mrs. Irwin was floored by the overflowing love from the memorial service. 

She says, “I knew people would be missing Steve, but the feelings of love and support from Australians was just overwhelming.

“He would have said, ‘Crikey mate, I don’t believe this.’ I love Australia and I’m a lucky woman.

“Just thank you so much. Your thoughts and prayers are really felt and they are going to help me get through–and I will.”

Terri recalled the moment of learning of Steve’s death by a stingray barb to the heart on September 4 through a call made by manager John Stainton.

She says, “He said there’s been a boating accident with Steve. Don’t say it, don’t say it, don’t say it. He said it. He said those three words… ‘and he died.’

“I am still at the stage where I think he’s going to come home and it didn’t really happen.”

Barbara Walters also interviewed Terri, the emotional chat will air Wednesday on 20/20. 
Walters admits she was very touched by Terri and her courage.

She says, “You almost have the feeling that she’s (Terri) channeling him. She feels he’s there… They’re just an amazing, touching, wonderful family. It was a very special trip to me… She’s a marvelous woman.”

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A death certificate has finally been issued for Anna Nicole Smith’s son Daniel Wayne.  There has been much skepticism surrounding the death of the 20-year-old. 

Daniel Wayne Smith was visiting Anna Nicole in the Bahamas after she had given birth to a baby daughter when he tragically & suddenly died in bed September 10.  Since that time experts have been trying to figure out the exact cause of death. 

Anna Nicole Smith’s attorney, Michael Scott, stated that she was issued the death certificate so that Smith could bury her son pending the outcome of some additional tests, the results are expected to take about two weeks.

In a statement Scott said, “It is not unusual in instances where the cause of death cannot be determined to issue a death certificate.  This is not a matter of special treatment being given in this particular case.”

Anna Nicole is trying to move forward in her life and take care of her newborn daughter and has filed for a birth certificate for the baby girl.  Anna will be remaining in the Bahamas, as she has been granted permanent residency.

Scott added, “She’s much better.”

“You never get over that, you get through it. Time is the catalyst for that.”

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Anna Nicole Smith apparently sold the last known photographs of her son Daniel Wayne in order to pay for his funeral expenses.

The family pictures were taken in the Bahamas two days after the birth of Anna Nicole’s daughter was born and just hours before 20-year-old Daniel was found dead.

What happened to all that Playboy & Anna Nicole Smith Show money?
 

 

The world said goodbye to Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin today.  The memorial service held at Australia Zoo’s Crocoseum was broadcast around Australia, Asia & the U.S.  A khaki-clad choir sang as celebrities and friends alike came to say goodbye to the naturalist.  Irwin was killed 16 days ago by a stingray barb to the heart he received while snorkeling off the coast of Australia.

Steve’s father Bob was one of many to speak at the memorial service, “Please don’t grieve for Steve. He’s at peace now, but I’d like you to grieve for the animals, for the animals have lost the best friend they ever had, and so have I.”

A koala was seen sleeping in a nearby tree Irwin’s widow Terri held their young son Robert in her lap.

Irwin’s eight-year-old daughter Bindi also spoke saying, “My daddy was my hero, he was always there for me when I needed him.”

“We filmed together, caught crocodiles together and loved being in the bush together. I want to help endangered wildlife just like he did.”

A crowd of about 5,000 attended the memorial service and many celebrities had sent in video tributes.  Russell Crowe, Kevin Costner, Cameron Diaz, Larry King & Justin Timberlake all remembered Irwin though a video message.

Crowe stated in his tribute that Irwin’s death was “was completely unfair.”  The star went on to say, “We’ve all lost a friend, we’ve lost a champion.”

Goodbye Steve & good luck.

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Here is a preview of In Touch magazine’s new Anna Nicole Smith issue.

As posted earlier, this is the last known picture of Anna Nicole Smith and her son Daniel Wayne before he suddenly & tragically died in the Bahamas September 10.  The family is photographed with Anna Nicole’s newborn daughter.

The widow of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin will give her first television interview since the death of her husband.  Terri Irwin will be giving this honor to Barbara Walters.   

Walters announced on The View this morning that she is headed to Australia to Irwin’s Crocoseum memorial service and will also be interviewing Terri and her 8-year-old daughter Bindi.

Irwin was killed September 4th by a stingray barb to the heart while he was snorkeling off the coast of Australia.

Walters said, “Tomorrow there is this great memorial service for Steve Irwin, who died so tragically and so young.

“His wife has not talked to anyone about this and I’m going to go to Brisbane, Australia, to do an interview with Terri Irwin and their little girl Bindi.

“To discuss what her life was, what her relationship with her husband was like, how she heard. The whole world seemed to care about him.”

Walters will be doing a one-hour special which will air next Wednesday evening.

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Here is the last known photograph of Crocodile Hunter Steve Irwin.  He is pictured with marine biologist Chris Jones aboard his boat Croc One.

The photograph was taken just two days before his tragic death by a poisonous stingray barb to the heart.

I’ll keep you posted on the upcoming memorial service Wednesday.

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