Actor Ian McKellen, 66, threw fuel on the “Da Vinci Code” controversy Thursday during an interview with Matt Lauer on the “Today” show. The film has come under attack from the Catholic sect Opus Dei, which has asked that a disclaimer be added to the film to clearly delineate the movie as fictitious.
Broadcasting from the Cannes Film Festival, Lauer asked the cast about the disclaimer idea.
“I’ve often thought the Bible should have a disclaimer at the front saying, ‘This is fiction,”‘ McKellen responded. “I mean walking on water? I mean, it takes an act of faith.” He went on to say he found the Bible “somewhat preachy” and called the ending “a bit of a downer.”
With Katie Couric exiting “Today,” publishing houses may finally feel safe to begin producing her biography, the New York Daily News reports. The paper says the future CBS Evening News anchor is the target of several would-be biographers, including Ed Klein, who last left his hatchet in Hillary Clinton’s skull.
“Before (Couric) left “Today,” publishers were afraid to touch her,” said a source, who believes book editors feared she might retaliate by banning their other authors from the bestseller-spawning show.
David Spade’s relationship with Heather Locklear seems to have lasted about a Hollywood minute. The “Showbiz Show” star and former “Saturday Night Live” actor hooked up with Locklear after her split from rocker hubby Richie Sambora, and reportedly “isn’t happy” about the split, according to In Touch Weekly.
“Heather isn’t in a rush to get into another serious relationship,” a “pal” told the magazine.
Tom Cruise is making nice with Brooke Shields (pictured), sending the actress a huge bouquet to congratulate her on the birth of her second daughter, according to Star magazine. “Tom is ready to bury the hatchet,” a source told the mag. “(Cruise’s fiancée) Katie (Holmes) and Brooke gave birth on the same day, and that bond really touched Tom.”
In a TV interview last year, Cruise, a Scientologist, criticized Shields for her use of medication to relieve postpartum depression after the birth of her first child.
France gave Sidney Poitier its highest arts honor Thursday at the Cannes Film Festival, where the culture minister praised the Oscar winner for tearing down barriers for black actors in Hollywood. Poitier, 79, was named a commander in France’s order of arts and letters. In 1964, he became the first black performer in a leading role to win an Academy Award, for “Lilies of the Field.” “You are the champion of equality between men,” Culture Minister Renaud Donnedieu de Vabres said. Poitier thanked his parents, who were field workers in the Bahamas, for giving him a sense of honesty, integrity and compassion.
Rocker Dave Navarro says he has experimented sexually with other men, but insists he is not gay. The star, who is married to model Carmen Electra, claims the encounters with members of the same sex helped convince him that he is straight.
“I’ve come to realize through my experimentation over the years that I’m not gay, nor am I bisexual,” the former Red Hot Chili Pepper told gay publication dotnewmagazine.com.
Navarro confesses if he were attracted to men and had to select a celebrity partner, he’d pick the “obvious” choice of Johnny Depp.
