Here's the Scoop...
This is a bittersweet story! The greatest B-movie actor of all-time, Mr. Bruce Campbell says he is officially retiring from playing the iconic role of Ash Williams.
"I bid you a heartfelt farewell playing Ash -- the character I took acting lessons with for 39 years," the 59-year-old actor wrote in a Facebook post Monday.
"I am hereby retiring from that portrayal," Campbell wrote. "It's time. I followed Ash from his formative years thru his mid-life crisis and decline. What a thrill! What a privilege! We had a great resurgence with the help of Starz (kudos not jeers, folks). They made it possible for 15 more hours of Evil Dead-ness in your life -- the equivalent of 10 more features! Is Ash dead? Never. Ash is as much a concept as a person. Where there is evil in this world, there must be one to counter -- man or woman, it matters not. Thanks for watching."
Starz canceled Ash vs. Evil Dead last week after three seasons and Campbell's message will likely quash fan hopes that the horror-comedy series might find a new home on another network or be followed up by a fourth film. Campbell previously played Ash in three Evil Dead movies dating back to 1981.
I have been a fan of Mr. Campbell for as long as I can remember. From Evil Dead, Hercules, Xena to Bubba Ho-Tep, Jack of All Trades, and my personal favorite - The Adventures of Brisco County Jr., Bruce Campbell is the coolest guy to ever grace stage or screen.
So long, Ash. Thanks for all the sugar, baby!
Be Well,
Steve
Comments? Questions? Nooz? Email Steve
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Antonio Banderas: I will love Melanie Griffith 'until the day I die'
Antonio Banderas says he'll love ex-wife Melanie Griffith until the day he dies.
The 57-year-old actor voiced his love for Griffith in an interview with People published Monday, nearly four years after his split from the 60-year-old actress.
"Even if we are divorced, she is my family and I will love her until the day I die," he told the magazine. "We have been in contact all these years and we managed to do a separation that is very elegant."
Banderas and Griffith announced their split in June 2014 after 18 years of marriage. The couple share daughter Stella Banderas, and Griffith is also mom to son Alexander Bauer and daughter Dakota Johnson. Banderas said the kids appreciate their friendly relationship.
"Our kids are enjoying that and that is very important for both of us. Our kids are priority number one," he said.
Banderas started dating Nicole Kimpel following his divorce from Griffith. He shared a photo with the Dutch financial consultant Sunday on Instagram.
"Back in #London. Sunday walk @nickykim2807 #perfectday #happysunday #relax #thames #earthday," the star captioned the picture.
Banderas will next star in the National Geographic Channel miniseries Genius: Picasso, which debuts Tuesday. He told UPI playing painter Pablo Picasso in the series was a sometimes "painful" experience.
'Schoolhouse Rock!' musician Bob Dorough dies at 94
Musician Bob Dorough, who contributed to the creation of Schoolhouse Rock!, died in Mt. Bethel, Pa., his family announced. He was 94.
Dorough's granddaughter Corin Wolf said he was diagnosed with cancer last year, but didn't disclose the exact cause of his death Monday, CNN reported.
A jazz pianist and vocalist, Dorough is best known for writing "Three's a Magic Number" the song which spawned the educational, musical cartoon series Schoolhouse Rock.
Dorough was born in Arkansas on Dec. 12, 1923, and raised in Texas. He began his musical career serving as a composer, arranger and player in the Special Services Army Band between 1943 and 1945.
He later earned a bachelor of music degree from the University of North Texas and traveled to New York to work as a pianist and singer, releasing his debut album Devil May Care in 1956.
Miles Davis later recorded his own version of Devil May Care's title track and the two collaborated on multiple projects including the holiday song "Blue Xmas (To Whom It May Concern)."
While working a day job at an advertising company in 1971, Dorough's boss asked him to set multiplication tables to music and he penned the song "Three Is a Magic Number."
The song spawned the album Multiplication Rock and the concept was later sold to ABC executive Michael Eisner, ultimately becoming the first iteration of Schoolhouse Rock!.
Dorough continued to compose music for Schoolhouse Rock! while also serving as musical director as contributors such as Lynn Ahrens, Dave Frishberg and George Newall joined the project.
The series ran for 12 years and was later revived in the 1990s.
Later in life Dorough served as a mentor to British-American singer, actress and comedian Nellie McKay and continued to play music in the weeks leading up to his death.
LOOSE LIPS:
"So I flip the phone around and my kids get the hello, but there were like 50 other kids in the pool there going, 'OH MY GOD!' The Biebs causes a reaction."
--Adam Sandler, on FaceTiming with Justin Bieber while on vacation, on The Tonight Show
??? Guess Who ???
Which Rampage star shared the first photo of his newborn daughter?
Netflix orders 'Fast & Furious' animated series
Netflix and DreamWorks Animation Television are working on a Fast & Furious animated show, executive produced by the franchise's star Vin Diesel.
Eight, live-action Fast & Furious blockbusters have been released in theaters since 2001. A spin-off and two more sequels about a close-knit group of street racers are slated to open between 2019 and 2021.
"We are thrilled to take our fantastic partnership with DreamWorks Animation to the next level with new opportunities from the vast library of Universal Pictures," Melissa Cobb, vice president of kids and family programming, said in a statement Monday. "The Fast & Furious franchise is a global phenomenon beloved by audiences of all ages, and we can't wait to get started on the new animated series that will capture the action, heart, humor and global appeal of the feature films."
"We are excited to extend and expand our successful relationship with Netflix by not only delivering more high-quality DreamWorks programming, but connecting fans of Universal films with fascinating new stories," added Margie Cohn, president of DreamWorks Animation Television. "Our new home at Universal marks an exciting new chapter for storytelling at our studio, and Fast & Furious is only the beginning."
Richard Gere, Alejandra Silva marry at secret wedding
Richard Gere and Alejandra Silva married this month at a secret wedding.
Hola! magazine reported the 68-year-old American actor and 35-year-old Spanish activist quietly tied the knot at a civil ceremony in early April. The couple plan to celebrate with family and friends May 6 in New York.
"I have found the quiet and happy life that I have always sought," Gere said.
People confirmed the news Monday, with a source saying Gere and Silva married "weeks ago."
"[They're] extraordinarily happy," the insider said. "They're so comfortable with each other, have fun together and are looking forward to their future together."
Gere and Silva were first linked in mid-2015. Gere was previously married to Cindy Crawford and Carey Lowell, and shares 18-year-old son Homer with Lowell. Silva is parent to 5-year-old son Albert with ex-husband Govind Friedland.
"Following the path.. #together with my two boys #Albertino #Richardgere," she captioned a photo on Instagram of Gere and Albert in March.
??? Guess Who ???
Which Rampage star shared the first photo of his newborn daughter?
Dwayne Johnson shared a photo of his newborn Tiana Gia Johnson on Monday, his third daughter.
"Blessed and proud to bring another strong girl into this world," the wrestler-turned-actor wrote in a message on Instagram alongside the snapshot of him holding his youngest child against his bare chest.
The infant's eyes are open and head is covered with dark hair in the photograph.
"Tiana Gia Johnson came into this world like a force of nature and Mama @laurenhashianofficial labored and delivered like a true rock star," Johnson said. "I was raised and surrounded by strong, loving women all my life, but after participating in baby Tia's delivery, it's hard to express the new level of love, respect and admiration I have for @laurenhashianofficial and all mamas and women out there."
Johnson and his girlfriend, singer Lauren Hashian, also are the parents of 2-year-old Jasmine. The actor shares a 16-year-old daughter with his ex-wife, film producer Dany Garcia.
A post shared by therock (@therock) on Apr 23, 2018 at 10:52am PDT