Chris Martin had one of those high school reunion moments we’d all love to have. The Coldplay frontman and hubby to actress Gwyneth Paltrow admitted he was a bit of a nerd at Sherborne School in the U.K. Martin told The Sun in London: “I bumped into a guy … a bully who always said I wouldn’t make anything of myself. I had great pleasure asking what he was up to now. He wasn’t up to much. Then I turned around and said, ‘This is my wife, Gwyneth.’ His face dropped and he looked really embarrassed. It was a proud moment. I’m not one to get my own back and look for revenge – but that was pretty sweet.”
John Travolta has only a few regrets and all involve parts he turned down that eventually went to Tom Hanks. Travolta told the British newspaper The Independent: “I wouldn’t trade (my career) for anyone’s except Tom Hanks’, I don’t think. Other than ‘Forrest Gump’ and ‘The Green Mile,’ which I was offered and should have done, and “Splash” was written for me, I still like my career better because of what I specifically contribute to it.” “Splash” catapulted Hanks’ career and he won his second Oscar for “Gump.” Travolta also admitted he turned down the role that went to Richard Gere in “An Officer and a Gentleman.”
Tom Cruise is hosting a fundraiser April 19 for a controversial detoxification process to help 9/11 workers, the New York Post reported. The actor co-founded the New York Rescue Workers Detoxification Project, a detoxification procedure developed by L. Ron Hubbard, the founder of Scientology. New York politicians supported and even funded the project initially but when the group’s links to the Church of Scientology were revealed, support and funding dried up. The city’s fire and police departments do not endorse the project.
Kathy Griffin recently performed at Arizona’s Perryville State Prison Complex, entertaining 3,400 prisoners. The comedian told the Toledo Blade: “I did feel very sexy and desirable. Those prisoners looked at me like no other man did. I don’t care how many people they killed.”
Hilary Swank recently found out good deeds, not fame, help in a pinch. The two-time Oscar winner recently was pulled over for speeding on Pacific Coast Highway, according to the New York Daily News. The officer recognized Swank for helping an older lady with her groceries a few days earlier. Swank recalled, “He goes, ‘Hey, Ms. Swank, you know what? You were speeding, but I’m gonna let you off for being a good Samaritan.”‘
Elvis Presley was a big fan of the BBC series “Monty Python’s Flying Circus.” His former girlfriend Linda Thompson said Presley was obsessed with the British comedy series that ran from 1969 to 1974. Presley spent hours imitating the characters from the show. Quoted by contactmusic.com, Thompson said, “(Presley would) be doing all the voices, which is mind-boggling. He’d even do the ladies voices.”
Will Smith was named the most powerful actor in Newsweek magazine’s latest issue. “The Pursuit of Happyness” actor took the position Tom Cruise had in last year’s poll. Hanks, a regular winner, dropped off the list and Cruise fell to No.5. Johnny Depp was second, followed by Ben Stiller and Brad Pitt.
