Oscar-winning actress Olympia Dukakis, who first won acclaim with her performance in the 1987 romantic comedy "Moonstruck," died on Saturday at age 89.
The Massachusetts-born daughter of Greek immigrants, Dukakis worked for decades as a stage, TV and film actor before rocketing to fame at age 56 playing the mother of Cher's character in "Moonstruck." Speaking to CBS in 1989, Dukakis discussed what it was like to go from relative obscurity to becoming an Academy Award winning movie star.
"Give me a mortgage.
You don't have to send your kids to college with credit cards.
So now you can pay your bills.
And well, I've been reminded the Jackie Gleason thing, how sweet is.
It is very sweet.
So it feels good.
Oh, it feels great.
My husband refers to me as his liberator.
My wife the liberator." Dukakis built on that with roles in films including "Look Who's Talking" and "Steel Magnolias" (1989).
A master of deadpan humor, Dukakis was nominated for Emmy awards for TV roles in the 90's, and continued working into her 80's.
And yes, she was also the cousin of the 1988 Democratic U.S. presidential nominee Michael Dukakis.
She passed away in her New York City home on Saturday morning, her agent said, after months of failing health.
Another ‘Bridget Jones’s Diary’ , Movie Is in the Works.
Renée Zellweger and Hugh Grant are
set to reprise their roles in the fourth installment of the franchise, CNN reports. .
Renée Zellweger and Hugh Grant are
set to reprise their roles in the fourth installment of the franchise, CNN reports. .
It is titled, 'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy.'.
Emma Thompson, who plays Dr. Rawlings
in 'Bridget Jones's Baby,' will also return.
Newcomers include Chiwetel Ejiofor
and Leo Woodall. .
Newcomers include Chiwetel Ejiofor
and Leo Woodall. .
In 2002, Zellweger was nominated for an
Oscar for her work in the first movie of
the franchise, 'Bridget Jones's Diary.'.
In 2002, Zellweger was nominated for an
Oscar for her work in the first movie of
the franchise, 'Bridget Jones's Diary.'.
'Mad About the Boy' takes place
14 years later in the story.
Michael Morris is set to direct.
Helen Fielding, the author of the books
upon which the movies are based,
will be an executive producer.
'Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy' will debut
worldwide and on Peacock on Feb. 14, 2025
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Robert Downey Jr. could make a return to the MCU as 'Iron Man!' Even though he recently won his first Oscar for 'Oppenheimer,' he's not looking to run from his Marvel past. In an interview with Esquire, the actor says he'd "happily" return as Tony Stark / Iron Man.
Credit: The Hollywood Reporter Duration: 01:26Published
The new Netflix series 'Ripley,' captured entirely in black-and-white, sees Oscar-winning 'Schindler's List' screenwriter Steven Zaillian share his take on author Patricia Highsmith's Tom Ripley novels. Zaillian and the show's stars Andrew Scott and Dakota Fanning spoke to The Hollywood Reporter all about working on the limited series.
Credit: The Hollywood Reporter Duration: 03:16Published
Jonathan Glazer has donated several signed 'The Zone of Interest' posters to a Gaza humanitarian relief action. The filmmaker has kept a low profile since his controversial 2024 Oscars acceptance speech, but he recently resurfaced to donate seven signed posters for his Oscar-winning movie, as well as a selection of posters for his 2014 film 'Under the Skin,' to the Cinema for Gaza auction that is raising funds for the charity Medical Aid for Palestinians (MAP).
Credit: The Hollywood Reporter Duration: 01:14Published
Zendaya is getting candid about all the chatter surrounding all her kissing scenes. The Emmy-winning actress chatted with Jake Hamilton, the creator behind YouTube account 'Jake's Takes,' while promoting 'Challengers' with her co-stars, Mike Faist and Josh O'Connor. Hamilton pointed out to Zendaya that when she does a kissing scene, it seems to get an "abnormal" amount of attention.
Credit: The Hollywood Reporter Duration: 01:17Published
The late comic legend Chris Farley is finally getting his own biopic. Farley was an iconic comedy actor behind 'Tommy Boy' and countless 'Saturday Night Live' performances. Emmy winner Paul Walter Hauser will star in the project with actor-filmmaker Josh Gad attached to direct. 'Saturday Night Live' head Lorne Michaels will produce via his Broadway video banner.
Credit: The Hollywood Reporter Duration: 01:09Published
The co-directors and executive producers of 'Quiet on Set: The Dark Side of Kids TV' hint that social media might be the next area they investigate when it comes to children in entertainment. During an Emmys FYC panel in Los Angeles, co-director and EP Emma Schwartz said, "One thing that we've had conversations about as a result of this is that, if you look at where children's entertainment, so to speak, is today, it's not just in studios or in networks, it's on social media."
Credit: The Hollywood Reporter Duration: 01:28Published
Louis Gossett Jr. , Dead at the Age of 87.
According to a statement from
his family, Gossett died on the morning
of March 29 in Santa Monica, California, AP reports.
Gossett was the first Black man to win both
an Oscar for best supporting actor and an Emmy
for his role in the TV mini-series 'Roots.'.
His first cousin, Neal L. Gossett, told AP that he
remembers Louis as a great joke-teller who faced
and fought against racism with both dignity and humor.
Never mind the awards, never mind
the glitz and glamor, the Rolls-Royces
and the big houses in Malibu. , Neal L. Gossett, via Associated Press.
It’s about the humanity of
the people that he stood for, Neal L. Gossett, via Associated Press.
In 1983, Gossett won an Oscar and a Golden Globe
for his role as a Marine drill instructor
in 'An Officer and a Gentleman.'.
In 1983, Gossett won an Oscar and a Golden Globe
for his role as a Marine drill instructor
in 'An Officer and a Gentleman.'.
In his 2010 memoir, , 'An Actor and a Gentleman,' Gossett called the win, "a huge affirmation of my position as a Black actor.".
In Dave Karger’s 2024 book, '50 Oscar Nights,' Gossett said, “The Oscar gave me the ability of being able to choose good
parts in movies like ‘Enemy Mine,’ ‘Sadat’ and ‘Iron Eagle.’".
In Dave Karger’s 2024 book, '50 Oscar Nights,' Gossett said, “The Oscar gave me the ability of being able to choose good
parts in movies like ‘Enemy Mine,’ ‘Sadat’ and ‘Iron Eagle.’".
Gossett is survived by his
sons, Satie and Sharron.
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
Jeremy Allen White in Talks , to Star As Bruce Springsteen in Biopic.
The Emmy-winning actor is in talks
to play "The Boss" in an upcoming biopic
called 'Deliver Me From Nowhere,'
according to 'The Hollywood Reporter.'.
The Emmy-winning actor is in talks
to play "The Boss" in an upcoming biopic
called 'Deliver Me From Nowhere,'
according to 'The Hollywood Reporter.'.
The movie is based on a
2023 book written by Warren Zanes.
It will center around "the making of Springsteen's 1982 album, 'Nebraska,'" according to 'The Hollywood Reporter.'.
Scott Cooper is working on the
script and also plans to direct.
Former Netflix head Scott Stuber
is also involved in the project.
'Nebraska,' Springsteen's sixth studio album, was once ranked as the 150th greatest
album of all time by 'Rolling Stone.'.
Springsteen reportedly performed all
of the instrumentals on that album.
It was released two years before
Springsteen's mega hit, 'Born in the U.S.A.'.
Additional details about White's discussions to portray Springsteen have yet to be revealed. .
The actor has gained renewed attention
for his role on 'The Bear' which earned
him his first Emmy in January
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees , Are Announced.
2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductees , Are Announced.
This year's honorees are
Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band.
This year's honorees are
Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band.
This year's honorees are
Mary J. Blige, Cher, Dave Matthews Band.
Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & The Gang.
Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & The Gang.
Foreigner, Peter Frampton, Kool & The Gang.
Ozzy Osbourne and
A Tribe Called Quest, NPR reports. .
Ozzy Osbourne and
A Tribe Called Quest, NPR reports. .
John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll
Hall of Fame Foundation, issued a
statement about this year's inductees.
Rock & Roll is an ever-evolving
amalgam of sounds that impacts
culture and moves generations, John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, via NPR.
This diverse group of inductees
each broke down musical barriers
and influenced countless artists
that followed in their footsteps, John Sykes, chairman of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Foundation, via NPR.
Additionally, the Musical Influence Award will go to Alexis Korner, John Mayall and Big Mama Thornton.
Additionally, the Musical Influence Award will go to Alexis Korner, John Mayall and Big Mama Thornton.
Additionally, the Musical Influence Award will go to Alexis Korner, John Mayall and Big Mama Thornton.
The Musical Excellence Award will be given to
Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick
and Norman Whitfield.
The Musical Excellence Award will be given to
Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick
and Norman Whitfield.
The Musical Excellence Award will be given to
Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick
and Norman Whitfield.
The Musical Excellence Award will be given to
Jimmy Buffett, MC5, Dionne Warwick
and Norman Whitfield.
The Ahmet Ertegun Award, which honors those
who don't perform music but have made an impact
in the industry, will go to Suzanne de Passe.
The induction ceremony will take place on Oct. 19 and will stream live on Disney+.
It will be available to view on Hulu the following
day and will also air on ABC at a later date.
It will be available to view on Hulu the following
day and will also air on ABC at a later date
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 01:30Published
This Day in History:, The Boston Massacre.
March 5, 1770.
A skirmish in front of the Boston Custom House
between British soldiers and angry colonists ended in
violence when the troops opened fire on the crowd.
Three Americans were killed instantly and several
other men eventually died from their injuries.
The incident followed several years of tensions
and violence in colonial Massachusetts.
... partly due to revenue duties imposed on the colonists by
the Townshed Acts passed by British Parliament.
The violence turned colonial sentiment against
the British and King George in the years leading
up to the American Revolution.
John Adams wrote that the "foundation of
American independence was laid" by the massacre
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 00:48Published
This Day in History: , Dr. Seuss Is Born.
March 2, 1904.
Theodor Seuss Geisel —
best known by his pen name
Dr. Seuss — was born in Springfield, MA.
Geisel first used the pseudonym
Seuss at Dartmouth College as a
contributor to the school's humor magazine.
After returning from his
studies at Oxford, Geisel
pursued cartooning full time.
His first book under the name Dr. Seuss,
'And to Think That I Saw it on Mulberry Street,'
was rejected 27 times.
In 1957, Dr. Seuss wrote
The Cat in the Hat as a
vocabulary primer for children.
The book was a massive success
and a major turning point in
the career of Dr. Seuss.
Dr. Seuss published more than 60 books,
won the 1984 Pulitzer Prize, an Academy
Award, three Emmys and three Grammys.
His artwork shares space
in galleries with Rembrandt and Picasso
Credit: Wibbitz Top Stories Duration: 00:56Published
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