In a quiet corner of Dutchess County, the curtain fell for a legendary actor. James Earl Jones, a titan of stage and screen, passed away peacefully at the age of 93, leaving behind a legacy etched in the hearts of millions. From his unforgettable portrayal of Darth Vader, delivering chilling lines like, “No, I am your father,” to his poignant role as Terence Mann in “Field of Dreams,” Jones was a master of his craft.

Born in Mississippi, his journey began in 1958 with a Broadway debut that would lead to roles in iconic productions and nearly 200 screen credits over six decades. As voices like Mufasa and Vader resonated through screens, he became a symbol of talent and resilience. An EGOT winner, Jones embodied the spirit of storytelling, winning hearts with roles in classics like “The Great White Hope” and “Fences.”

In 2022, the Cort Theatre was renamed in his honor, a testament to his enduring influence. As he reflected on his journey, he urged aspiring actors to believe in their dreams, proving that even in silence, his legacy would continue to inspire. The world dimmed today, but James Earl Jones will forever echo in our memories.

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Before taking on her latest role as Liev Schreiber’s onscreen wife in Netflix’s The Perfect Couple, Nicole Kidman made sure to check in with her longtime friend Naomi Watts. Kidman, 57, and Schreiber, 56, play Mr. and Mrs. Winbury in the series, but Kidman first sought Watts’ blessing before accepting the role, as Watts and Schreiber were in a relationship from 2005 to 2016.

Kidman joked that she had to “beg” Schreiber to “marry” her for the role. Schreiber then revealed, “I heard you asked Naomi first if it was okay,” to which Kidman confirmed. Schreiber added, “That’s how close they are.”

Watts, 55, later confirmed Kidman’s thoughtful gesture, saying, “We always check in, we’re besties,” during an interview at the Toronto International Film Festival. Kidman and Watts’ friendship dates back over 30 years, first meeting during an audition in the late 1980s. Since then, they’ve maintained a strong bond, appearing together in Flirting and regularly supporting each other’s personal and professional lives.

The Perfect Couple follows Amelia Sacks’ journey to marry into a wealthy family on Nantucket, until a body is found, sparking an investigation. All six episodes are now streaming on Netflix.

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Michael Keaton, best known for his iconic roles in Beetlejuice and Batman, is preparing to return to his roots—specifically, his birth name. After five decades in Hollywood, the 72-year-old actor has announced plans to start using his original name, Michael Douglas.

However, due to Screen Actors Guild rules prohibiting duplicate names, Keaton had to adopt a new moniker early in his career, since Wall Street actor Michael Douglas and TV host Mike Douglas were already established. Reflecting on his decision, Keaton recently told People, “I think I was looking through a phone book, and I thought, ‘That sounds reasonable,’” when he picked the name Keaton.

Moving forward, Keaton plans to be credited as Michael Keaton Douglas, combining both his stage name and his birth name. He originally intended to use this credit in his 2023 film Knox Goes Away, which he directed and starred in, but forgot amidst the hectic process.

Keaton isn’t the first star to consider reverting to their real name. Emma Stone, his co-star in Birdman, once expressed a similar desire to go back to her birth name, Emily. “I would like to be Emily again,” Stone shared in a previous interview.

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Lee Daniels may have found success with his latest Netflix film The Deliverance, but the project has sparked significant controversy. The film, inspired by the true story of a Black family haunted by demons in 2011, stars Andra Day, Mo’Nique, and Glenn Close as the mother of Day’s character.

Much of the backlash centers on Close’s portrayal of Alberta, a white mother in a predominantly Black cast. However, the true uproar erupted over a controversial line spoken by Close’s character during an exorcism scene. While possessed by a demon, Alberta delivers the shocking line to Day’s character: “I can smell your nappy p****y.”

This moment ignited debate across social media, with one viewer calling out Daniels, saying, “Lee Daniels, you will pay for your crimes for having Glenn Close say this.”

Daniels responded simply, “Had to do it.”

Anticipating some reaction, Daniels had previously shared a clip from the film on social media, warning viewers, “Y’all are not ready for Glenn in this.”

Addressing the character’s importance, Daniels added, “Every Black person knows an Alberta. She’s part of the fabric of our community, but we’ve never seen her on screen before. Thank you Glenn for bringing her magnificently to life.”

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Brad Pitt and his girlfriend, Ines de Ramon, have taken their relationship to the next level by making their first official red carpet appearance together. The couple attended the premiere of Pitt’s latest film, Wolfs, at the 2024 Venice International Film Festival on September 1, nearly two years after romance rumors first began to swirl.

Pitt, 60, looked dapper in a black, double-breasted tuxedo jacket paired with a round-collared shirt and flared pants, while de Ramon, 34, stunned in a white, one-shoulder gown. The couple shared several tender moments on the red carpet, exchanging affectionate glances and wrapping their arms around each other.

The evening turned into a double date as Pitt and de Ramon were joined by George Clooney, 63, and his wife, Amal, 46. Clooney, who has collaborated with Pitt on several films, including the Ocean’s trilogy, looked sharp in a black tuxedo, while Amal dazzled in a ruffled, sleeveless pastel yellow gown.

The night before, the two couples were seen enjoying a water taxi ride in Venice, where George and Amal tied the knot nearly a decade ago. This Venice outing marks one of the few public appearances for Pitt and de Ramon, who have kept their relationship mostly private since rumors began in late 2022.

Their red carpet debut comes just days after Pitt’s ex, Angelina Jolie, graced the festival’s premiere of her latest film, Maria. The 81st annual Venice Film Festival continues through September 7.

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