Emmy-winning actor Louie Anderson dead at age 68

Louie Anderson, a three-time Emmy Award winner, comedian and game show host, died on Friday morning after a battle with cancer, his publicist told Deadline. He was 68.

The star of the comedy series “Baskets” died in Las Vegas, where he was admitted into a hospital earlier this week for treatment of diffuse large B cell lymphoma, publicist Glenn Schwartz told the entertainment publication.

Anderson was nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards for outstanding supporting actor in a comedy Series, winning one in 2016 for his role as Christine Baskets on the FX series.

He also won two Daytime Emmys for outstanding performer in an animated program for “Life with Louie,” a program that aired on Fox in 1997 and 1998.

The Saint Paul, Minnesota, native was a counselor to troubled children before he got his start in comedy when he won first place in the Midwest Comedy Competition in 1981, according to Deadline.

Anderson was in Eddie Murphy’s 1988 hit movie “Coming to America.” He also hosted “Family Feud” from 1999 to 2002 and starred in several situation comedies over the last two decades.

Anderson wrote several books, including “Goodbye Jumbo ... Hello Cruel World,” a self-help book for people struggling with self-esteem issues.

(Reporting by Brendan O’Brien; editing by Jonathan Oatis)

-reuters

Betty White, working actress into her 90s, dies just shy of her 100th birthday

Comedic actress Betty White, who capped a career of more than 80 years by becoming America's geriatric sweetheart after Emmy-winning roles on television sitcoms "The Golden Girls" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," has died less than 3 weeks shy of her 100th birthday, People magazine said on Friday, quoting her agent.

The agent, Jeff Witjas, told the magazine: "Even though Betty was about to be 100, I thought she would live forever." No cause was cited.

In a youth-driven entertainment industry where an actress over 40 faces career twilight, White was an elderly anomaly who was a star in her 60s and a pop culture phenomenon in her 80s and 90s.

Playing on her imminent likability, White was still starring in a TV sitcom, "Hot in Cleveland," at age 92 until it was canceled in late 2014.

White said her longevity was a result of good health, good fortune and loving her work.

"It's incredible that I'm still in this business and that you are still putting up with me," White said in an appearance at the 2018 Emmy Awards ceremony, where she was honored for her long career. "It's incredible that you can stay in a career this long and still have people put up with you. I wish they did that at home."

White was not afraid to mock herself and throw out a joke about her sex life or a snarky crack that one would not expect from a sweet-smiling, white-haired elderly woman. She was frequently asked if, after such a long career, there was anything she still wanted to do and the standard response was: "Robert Redford."

"Old age hasn’t diminished her," the New York Times wrote in 2013. "It has given her a second wind."

Minutes after news emerged of her death, US President Joe Biden told reporters: "That's a shame. She was a lovely lady." His wife, Jill Biden, said: "Who didn't love Betty White? We're so sad about her death.'

Betty Marion White was born on January 17, 1922, in Oak Park, Illinois, and her family moved to Los Angeles during the Great Depression, where she attended Beverly Hills High School.

A DEBUT IN THE 1930S

White started her entertainment career in radio in the late 1930s and by 1939 had made her TV debut singing on an experimental channel in Los Angeles. After serving in the American Women's Voluntary Service, which helped the US effort during World War Two, she was a regular on "Hollywood on Television," a daily 5-hour live variety show, in 1949.

A few years later she became a pioneering woman in television by co-founding a production company and serving as a co-creator, producer and star of the 1950s sitcom "Life With Elizabeth."

Through the 1960s and early '70s White was seen regularly on television, hosting coverage of the annual Tournament of Rose Parade and appearing on game shows such as "Match Game" and "Password." She married "Password" host Allen Ludden, her third and final husband, in 1963.

White reached a new level of success on "The Mary Tyler Moore Show," playing the host of a home-making television show, the snide, lusty Sue Ann Nivens, whose credo was "a woman who does a good job in the kitchen is sure to reap her rewards in other parts of the house." White won best-supporting actress Emmys for the role in 1975 and 1976.

She won another Emmy in 1986 for "The Golden Girls," a sitcom about four older women living together in Miami that featured an age demographic rarely highlighted on American television. White also was nominated for an Emmy six other times for her portrayal of the widowed Rose Nylund, a sweet, naive and ditzy Midwesterner, on the show, which ran from 1985 to 1992 and was one of the top-rated series of its time.

After a less successful sequel to "The Golden Girls" came a series of small movie parts, talk-show appearances and one-off television roles, including one that won her an Emmy for a guest appearance on "The John Larroquette Show."

By 2009 she was becoming ubiquitous with more frequent television appearances and a role in the Sandra Bullock film "The Proposal." She starred in a popular Snickers candy commercial that aired during the Super Bowl, taking a brutal hit in a mud puddle in a football game.

A young fan started a Facebook campaign to have White host "Saturday Night Live" and she ended up appearing in every sketch on the show and winning still another Emmy for it.

The Associated Press voted her entertainer of the year in 2010 and a 2011 Reuters/Ipsos poll found that White, then 89, was the most popular and trusted celebrity in America with an 86 percent favorability rating.

White's witty and brassy demeanor came in handy as host of "Betty White's Off Their Rockers," a hidden-camera show in which elderly actors pulled pranks on younger people.

"Who would ever dream that I would not only be this healthy, but still be invited to work?" White said in a 2015 interview with Oprah Winfrey. "That's the privilege ... to still have jobs to do is such a privilege."

White, who had no children, worked for animal causes. She once turned down a role in the movie "As Good as It Gets" because of a scene in which a dog was thrown in a garbage chute. (Writing by Bill Trott; Additional reporting by Jarrett Renshaw; Editing by Diane Craft and Howard Goller)

-reuters

Last laugh: Meet the Ukraine comedian who became president

MANILA, Philippines — Comedian Volodymyr Zelensky had already been inaugurated as president of Ukraine -- as a character in the popular TV show "Servant of the People.”

The 41-year-old performer has now taken on the role for real, following a long-shot campaign that sent establishment candidates tumbling amid popular discontent with the political class amid poverty and corruption.

Supporters see the political novice as a breath of fresh air but critics say he is a puppet of powerful rivals to outgoing leader Petro Poroshenko.

"I'm not a politician, I'm just an ordinary guy come to break the system," he said before the second round of voting in April.

In his inauguration speech on Monday, he took a tough line, immediately calling the dissolution of a hostile parliament and declaring his top priority is a ceasefire in Ukraine's conflict with Moscow-armed separatists in the east.

"I think we will see a new, unusual president," political analyst Volodymyr Fesenko said.

"We saw he is quite decisive and I think that will be Zelensky's style."

'So Ukrainians don't cry' 

The comedian brought his stand-up experience into his speech, saying he had "tried to do all I could to make Ukrainians smile" and now wanted to "do all I can so that Ukrainians don't cry".

His approach was deliberately informal: he walked to the inauguration from his home and exchanged high-fives with supporters on the way. In his speech, he urged officials to hang pictures of their children in their offices -- and not his photograph.

"A president is not an idol," he said.

'No promises, no apologies' 

On the campaign trail, Zelensky blurred the line between politics and entertainment.

He eschewed media interviews and traditional rallies, preferring to address voters via social networks and perform at gigs with his sketch troupe right up to the first stage of the vote.

The father-of-two has embraced the fact his campaign has been light on solid pledges. One of the posters for his candidacy declared: "No promises -- no apologies!"

The entertainer has been compared to US actor-turned-president Ronald Reagan, Italian populist and comic Beppe Grillo and current US leader Donald Trump. 

The story of his rise mirrored that of his character in the hit sitcom, which returned for its third season days before Ukrainians went to the polls in March.

In the show, a school history teacher is elected leader after his video rant against corruption goes viral.

Zelensky has been accused of being a front for the controversial Ukrainian oligarch Igor Kolomoysky, who owns the channel which broadcasts the shows.

Kolomoysky, one of Ukraine's richest men, became a regional governor at the start of Poroshenko's term but was forced to resign following a row over a state oil firm.

He moved to Israel but reportedly returned to Ukraine shortly ahead of Zelensky's inauguration.

The actor has denied any political connection and ahead of the vote said the oligarch would be jailed if he was found to have violated any laws.

An investigative television report at the start of the year accused Zelensky of having commercial relations with Russia.

This is a highly sensitive issue following Moscow's annexation of Crimea and its backing of separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine, in a conflict that has cost some 13,000 lives since 2014.

Following the broadcast, Zelensky confirmed he had shares in a Cypriot company that owns a Russian group and promised to sell them.

Standing up to Putin 

On the campaign trail, Poroshenko mocked the Ukrainian-language skills of his Russian-speaking rival and said he lacked the political chops to stand up to Putin.

Zelensky has insisted that as leader he will demand Putin end Moscow's occupation of Ukrainian territory and pay compensation for the conflict.

He has also pledged to keep Kiev on the pro-Western course it charted under Poroshenko.

The diminutive performer, from the industrial city of Krivy Rig in central Ukraine, is a dollar millionaire.

He declared income of 9.7 million hryvnias ($368,000)in 2018 on Monday as well as a collection of luxury watches and property in Italy, Britain and Georgia.

He has a law degree but made his career in entertainment, turning his Kvartal 95 comedy troupe into big business. The group has toured in Russia and he has performed in Russian films.

Zelensky is of Jewish descent but has said that religion is a personal matter and it played no part in his campaign. He swore his inauguration oath on the Bible.

source: philstar.com

‘Wowowillie’ bows out with 4-hour farewell show; Willie Revillame vows to return soon

Almost five months after Willie Revillame announced that his noontime show on TV5, “Wowowillie”, will have its last show on October 12, the popular but ofent-controversial comedian and TV host made good on his promise with a grand four-hour “farewell party” at the Delta Theater.

Despite the heavy rains, the place was packed with a standing room only audience, many of whom came from places like Bataan, Cavite, Bulacan, Pampanga, Tarlac, the United States, Kuwait and Japan. Upon acknowledging the crowd, Willie immediately hollered that each one be given P5,000 each.

Yes, lots of money were given away throughout the show as Willie and co-hosts Mariel Rodriguez, Rufa Mae Quinto, Grace Lee, Ava Jugueta, Joy Viado and Cacai Bautista conducted the usual contest portions.

Randy Santiago, who had filled in for Willie for several days leading up to the final show, was also on hand to help out in the hosting chores and even performed a song number with rapper and Saturday mainstay Abra.

Other musical numbers were provided by soul siren Nina as well as by Mariel, Ava, Joy, Cacai and former co-host Camille Villar, who departed last February to pursue masteral studies in Spain.

Former co-hosts Arci Muñoz and Lovely Abella were also around to join the celebration while Camille’s parents and long-time Willie allies, former Senator Manny Villar and wife Senator Cynthia Villar, were among those Willie acknowledged in the audience.

Reflecting not only on the 10-month run of “Wowowillie” on the air but also on his three years with the Kapatid network as host of previous shows “Willing Willie” and “Wil Time Bigtime”, Willie asserted how his shows were able to connect with the masses though the countless prizes they were able to give away.

“Dito po ang pinapansin ang mga hindi pinapansin. Ang importante po dito binibigyan ng halaga kahit sino ka lalo na ang mga taong kapuspalad,” Willie intoned during his final speech to close the show. “Yung mga tao pong akala nila wala nang pangarap pero merong pag-asang binibigay ang mga programang katulad nito. Nandito kami hindi lamang po maging masaya kami, nagiging masaya kami kapag nakapagbibigay kami ng kasiyahan sa inyo sa araw-araw.”

In thanking the Villars in particular, Willie noted that his shows were able to give away a total of 28 houses and lots from Camella Land and Vista Land. “Sina Senators Manny at Cynthia Villar, parang 911 yan. Isang tawag lang namin, bigay agad ng bahay yan,” he stressed.

Like his previous shows, the 10-month run of “Wowowillie” was not without its share of controversies.

Co-host Ethel Booba had a falling out with Willie that she said had started as early as the show’s initial broadcast last January 26 when he jokingly blamed her for the two power failures that marred the show. Ethel said the last straw came when he berated her and fellow co-host Ate Gay on the air the following month after allegedly complaining on the result of a costume contest won by choreographer Anna Feliciano.

Ate Gay himself left the show in April after he felt slighted when then newly hired co-hosts Cacai Bautista and Joy Viado took his usual place as the finale act of the show’s mini-concierto segment.

Another former co-host, Lovely Abella, was reportedly dismissed after she accepted an out-of-town engagement without the show’s consent.  Unlike Lovely, Ethel and Ate Gay were not present during the final show on Saturday. Still, Willie acknowledged their contributions while stressing that he harbors no hatred and bitterness towards anybody.

Then there was the show’s run-in with the Movie Television Review and Classification Board who conducted a gender sensitivity seminar for the show’s cast and crew after the bountiful cleavage of dancer Charm went on full display during the show’s “Tutok to Win” segment, which also took place last April.

But after Willie’s announcement last May that the show’s days are numbered and will formally say goodbye this October, “Wowowillie” was devoid of controversy and ran smoothly, if uneventful, in its final months.

In his final speech, Willie thanked everyone who helped him in his career, from ABS-CBN executives Charo Santos-Concio, Cory Vidanes and Gabby Lopez who gave him his first break on “MTB” and “Wowowee” to TV5 COO Bobby Barreiro, former president CEO Atty. Ray Espinosa, president and current CEO Noel C. Lorenzana and Chairman Manny V. Pangilinan.

“Ngayon lang po ako umalis ng network na binigyan pa ako ng handa,” he quipped as he also revealed that MVP hosted a farewell dinner for him the night before his last show.

Reserving his most heartfelt gratitude to the masses who helped who brought him to where he is now, Willie promised that he and his team will soon return on the air.

“Pag natapos po ang mga usapan,” he assured without giving away any details. “Dito na po magsasara ang aming pinto, sa pagbukas po muli nito, sana ay tayo-tayo pa rin ang magkikita.”

source: interaksyon.com

Actor Subas Herrero dies of pneumonia at 69

Subas Herrero — an actor, comedian, and singer best known for his role in the TV gag show “Champoy” — died of pneumonia in Rochester, New York on Friday morning. He was 69 years old.

“Just heard the sad news that old friend and former talent I represented in the 80s Subas Herrero has passed away in New York,” talent manager Girlie Rodis posted on Facebook at 1PM on Friday.

Other friends and colleagues, including Noel Trinidad — Herrrero’s partner in “Champoy” — also confirmed the news of his passing.

Rodis said Herrero left behind his wife Maripaz and four daughters. Trinidad said in a report by gmanewsonline.com that his dear friend was also survived by a son.

Born on April 3, 1943 as Ricardo Wright Herrero, the actor first teamed up with Trinidad in stage productions during their college days at the Ateneo de Manila University.

Although he became famous as one-half of the “Champoy” comic duo in the 1980s, Herrero played numerous villain roles in action movies that starred the likes of Fernando Poe, Jr., Ramon Revilla Sr.., Joseph Estrada, and Rudy Fernandez.

His last acting credit was the 2000 international telemovie “Noriega: God’s Favorite”, about the life of Panamanian general Antonio Noriega.

Herrero retired from acting after suffering a stroke that year.

source: interaksyon.com

BIR slaps ‘It’s Showtime’ host Ryan Bang with P1.8M tax evasion charge

Comedian and TV host Ryan Bang was charged with tax evasion by the Bureau of Internal Revenue on Thursday.

In its complaint, the BIR alleged that the 21-year-old “It’s Showtime” host owes the government P1.8 million in income and percentage taxes for 2011 and 2012.

Bang, a Korean citizen whose real name is Bang Hyun Sung, has been an ABS-CBN talent since he joined the reality show “Pinoy Big Brother” in 2010.

The amount of P1.8 million, which includes surcharge and interest, was based on tax filings by companies that hired Bang over the two-year period during which he is said to have earned a minimum of P3.05 million.

Bang’s legal counsel, Atty. Joji Alonso, told the ABS-CBN news program “TV Patrol” that her client had yet to see a copy of the complaint, but he would fulfill his financial obligations to the Philippine government.

source: interaksyon.com

Phyllis Diller Dead at 95

Comedian Phyllis Diller -- who paved the way for today's female comics -- died this morning, TMZ has learned.

Sources close to Diller tell us the comedian died in her sleep at her L.A. home, surrounded by family. She was 95.

We're told Diller had recently fallen, hurting her wrist and hip -- but her rep says the injury had nothing to do with her death.

Diller suffered a heart attack in 1999 and was later fitted with a pacemaker.

Phyllis began her career all the way back in 1952 -- and rose to fame with her TV specials alongside Bob Hope in the 1960s.






Later that decade, Phyllis starred in her own show called "The Phyllis Diller Show" ... as well as a variety show called "The Beautiful Phyllis Diller Show." She was also a regular on "Laugh In."

She also posed for Playboy -- but the pics were never published.

Diller remained spunky to the very end, famously appearing in the 2005 movie "The Aristocrats," telling an x-rated joke ... better than comics half her age.

Joan Rivers recently appeared on "Watch What Happens Live" and said, Diller "broke the way for every woman comedian.”

Last time we shot Diller was in 2011, and she was still sharp as a tack -- cracking jokes and reminiscing about her "protegee" Joan Rivers. She even named her favorite comedian of all time.

article source: TMZ

British Comic Actor Eric Sykes Dies Aged 89

LONDON (Reuters) - Eric Sykes, one of Britain's best-loved comedians who forged a career in entertainment by writing for others, has died, his manager said on Wednesday. He was 89.

In a career spanning over 50 years he was a regular collaborator on the popular 1950s radio comedy program "The Goon Show" and became a leading personality after starring in his own television series, "Sykes and a..." in the 1960s.

"Eric Sykes, 89, star of television, stage and film, died peacefully this morning after a short illness," his manager Norma Farnes told Reuters. "His family were with him."

Sykes was born in Oldham, northern England, in 1923, and was introduced to showbusiness while serving as a wireless operator in the Royal Air Force.

A chance meeting with wartime friend and actor Bill Fraser in 1940s London led to a breakthrough in comedy writing and his collaboration with comedian Frankie Howerd on the successful radio show "Variety Bandbox".

Further radio work followed for Sykes, including the groundbreaking 1950s Goon Show - partly to ease the workload of its co-creator Spike Milligan.

His early television projects included "The Howerd Crowd" and "The Tony Hancock Show", but his big breakthrough came in 1960 with the launch of "Sykes and a..." in which he starred alongside Hatti Jacques in a brother-sister act that struck a chord with viewers and attracted huge TV audiences.

Sykes took on a variety of supporting roles in feature films including "Heavens Above!" (1963), "Those Magnificent Men In Their Flying Machines" (1965) and "The Spy With A Cold Nose" (1966).

But he is best remembered by many for a virtually dialogue-free film called "The Plank" (1967) in which he and Tommy Cooper appeared as two workmen delivering planks to a building site.

Two years later he starred alongside Milligan in "Curry and Chips", a controversial sitcom that was criticised for being racist and taken off the air after only six episodes.

Co-creator Johnny Speight defended the series, saying it was specifically designed to highlight discrimination in society.

Sykes' television career subsequently faded, but he was still appearing on the stage well into his 70s, including in Alan Bennett's "Kafka's Dick".

His enduring success was all the more remarkable because he was almost totally deaf since his early 30s and blind from the early 1990s.

He is widely credited with introducing an offbeat tone to mainstream British comedy, and recalls a gentler age of humor that has been overshadowed by more aggressive, controversial performers.

"I'm proud of being a vaudevillian, the last of my line," he once said. "A lot of people think my entertainment is candy-floss. Well, entertainment is too aggressive these days, all in your face."

Actor Bernard Cribbins, who starred in a remake of The Plank, said Sykes would be sadly missed.

"I just wish him a lot of rest up there with all the other comics, Spike Milligan and Harry Secombe," he added in remarks to British media. "They will all be up there, having a laugh together."

article source: nytimes.com

Ai Ai And Vice Ganda Bury The Hatchet

MANILA, Philippines - Comedians Ai Ai delas Alas and Vice Ganda have let bygones be bygones, smoking the proverbial peace pipe during the birthday celebration of ABS-CBN boss Cory Vidanes on May 15 in a bar in Makati.

Ai Ai and Vice were caught on cam together during the party, as shown in the videos aired on “TV Patrol” on May 16.

“Tita Cory I love you. Alam mong mahal kita,” came Ai Ai’s message for the birthday celebrator that evening.

In a report posted by PEP the same day, Ai Ai was asked how her reconciliation with the popular stand-up comedian happened.

Not wanting to divulge details, Ai Ai said, “Ay, ewan! Basta lang…bati na lang kami.”

Last January, Vice Ganda admitted there was a rift between him and Ai Ai, as reported in newspapers. The snubbing incident, which happened inside a hotel during the Christmas season, was apparently true.

“Totoo pong nangyari 'yon na hindi po kami nagpansinan ni Ms. Ai Ai sa isang lugar. ‘Di kami nagpansinan, ‘di ko siya pinansin, ‘di niya ako pinansin at walang pansinang naganap kasi mayroon po kaming pinagdadaanan," Vice Ganda revealed on “The Buzz.”

He hoped then that the issue between them would be resolved.

"Mayroon po kaming isyu na kinakailangang ma-resolba at nawa'y maresolba sa takdang panahon,” he said, adding that nobody has the right to pass judgment on them as “kami lang ni Ms. Ai Ai ang nakakaalam doon."

Meanwhile, actors Richard Gomez and Joey Marquez recalled their early beginning as ABS-CBN talents during the party of Ms. Vidanes.

Richard vividly remembers, “My first TV guesting [in a Kapamilya TV show] si tita Cory ‘yung P.A. (production assistant) namin noon.” Richard also added, “Through the years tita Cory has been very nice to me since so she’s very special.”

Joey, who shared with Richard stellar credits in the sitcom “Palibhasa Lalaki,” recalls, “‘Yung samahan namin sa “Palibhasa” [ay] para kaming naglalaro [lang] at magkakaibigan lahat.”

Among the ABS-CBN executive’s well wishers were Vice Ganda, Iza Calzado, Vina Morales, Gina Pareno, Randy Santiago, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Kim Chiu, Xian Lim, Christian Bautista, Rayver Cruz, Cristine Reyes, and Ai Ai delas Alas who came with boyfriend Jed Alvin Salang.

"Tita Cory, sana mas marami pang blessing dumating sa buhay niyo, and ingat po kayo palagi, maraming salamat po sa inyo," Rayver said.

"Thank you for being such a nice boss to us," Cristine said.

Coney Reyes, who starred in her own drama series on ABS-CBN, gave her message: “[My wish for her is] to change for the better. She’s so sweet. I just pray that she will have more strength, good health, so much peace, so much love, so much joy and the wisdom to carry all on what God has purposed her to do in her life.”

source: mb.com.ph

Have Vic and Pauleen finally gone public with their relationship?

MANILA, Philippines – In spite of being evasive about the real score between them, Vic Sotto and Pauleen Luna are now said to be “open” with their controversial relationship.

Although the tabloid that carried this report did not cite proof or any other details, other tabloid reports noted that the two, together with several of their fellow “Dabarkads” on “Eat Bulaga,” flew to Macau earlier this week to celebrate Vic’s birthday.

The ace host-comedian turned 58 last April 28, the same day that Pauleen, 23, reportedly posted an intriguing “Happy birthday to you, love!” on her Facebook account.

When she was asked of her birthday wish for Vic, Pauleen reportedly said “good health,” “happiness,” and “peace of mind." Reports said she also doesn’t have a gift for her rumored beau.

It was late last year when rumors about Vic and Pauleen’s romance hit the headlines. The two, however, kept silent on the matter. And even when the latter was cornered by the press in a huddle last month, Pauleen only intimated that her heart is in a “happy place.”

She likewise maintained that “even before all the tsismis and when I was starting in [‘Eat!] Bulaga,’ we had a good relationship and it’s good.”

Their rumored relationship was met with alleged disapproval from Vic’s children, including actor Oyo Sotto. To this, Pauleen simply said, “I respect everybody's opinion.”

“For me, as long as I know that I’m not doing anything wrong, as long as I’m not stepping on anybody’s toes and long as I know that I am not hurting anybody intentionally, I’m good,” she added.

source: mb.com.ph