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Dennis Quaid’s getting on with his new life
HOLLYWOOD ... It looks like Dennis Quaid and Kimberly, his wife of one year, have settled in for the long run. They’ve just purchased a Pacific Palisades estate overlooking the ocean for $8 million.
It sits on several acres with a natural creek running through the property, lush plantings and many trees. The house itself has NINE bedrooms and 8 1/2 bathrooms, a wine cellar, SEVEN fireplaces, and guesthouses. Mrs. Quaid is a realtor, and Dennis, at the moment, is writing, directing and starring in “Shame on You,” about Western singer Spade Cooley. I am wondering, how does Meg Ryan feel about all this?
Clint Eastwood is after a biggie again. And bet your bottom buck he’ll succeed. His next will be “Flags of Our Fathers,” based on the James Bradley book “Flags of Our Fathers: Heroes of Iwo Jima.” Along with Steven Spielberg, big Clint will produce the film for Warners and DreamWorks. He will also direct and most probably act in what will no doubt be a blockbuster. One of the most enduring images of World War II is that picture of U.S. servicemen planting the American flag atop Mount Suribachi on Iwo Jima. James Bradley’s father was one of those men.
Aside to Rosabel T. of Seaside, Ore. I think I may have answered this before, but yes, Heath Ledger was named after the Heathcliff in Charlotte Bronte’s “Wuthering Heights.” Ledger was born in Perth, Australia, on April 4, 1979. He has gone on record as saying he “doesn’t want to act for the rest of his life,” but he hasn’t stated what he wants to do instead. And by the way, did you know he turned down the role of “ S p i d e r - M a n ,” which ultimately went to Tobey Maguire?
That was quite an affair at the Hollywood Bowl: the tribute concert to Steven Sondheim, with Warren Beatty and Barbra Streisand Brolin co-chairing the event. Looking toward the future, there are rumblings that Warren might run for governor of California. And wouldn’t it be great to have a fellow Democrat like La Streisand in his corner?
For some of the scariest reading ever, try John Saul’s “Perfect Nightmare” (Ballantine), which will be in the stalls in August. You can bet your last 50-cent piece that this one will be made into a movie. ... Imagine a pig dropping from the sky through the roof into the front room of a house. It happens in Earl Emerson’s “The Smoke Room” (Ballantine). Try it; you’ll like it. A film? Could be.
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BITS ‘N’ PIECES: Sean Bean, who plays Merrick in “The Island” with Ewan McGregor and Scarlett Johansson, graduated with honors from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in England. ... Joan Fontaine, living in lovely Carmel, Calif., whipped the termite problem. When her house had to be tented to rid it of the little “critters,” she rented a mobile home, parked it on her grounds, and lived there with her five dogs till it was “23 skidoo” to the swarming desperados.
... Aside to Phillipa G. of Murphys, Calif. That was Mena Suvari who was in “American Beauty,” not Mira Sorvino. ... We can relax now. Jen and Ben are married, and the little Affleck is on its way. Now if we could just get Brad and Angelina and Jennifer and whomever all settled in, we could relax even more. ... Deepest congratulations to Sgt. Leigh Ann Hester, the first woman since 1944 to earn a Silver Star medal, the highest honor given to women fighting the enemy. No doubt a movie will be made of her bravery near Baghdad. ... And to Bertram K. of Yazoo City, Miss. That cute little Jonathan Lipnicki, who co-starred with T. Cruise in “Jerry Maguire,” is now all grown up — sans glasses — and set to star in a film to shoot in London and Vietnam. ... Well, we got through this one without Paris. How about that?
(c) 2005 King Features Synd., Inc.
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