Entertainment

We remember actor Jason Robards. He died yesterday at the age of 78, after a long battle with cancer. He was an actor for over 50 years. He won Oscars for his performances as Ben Bradlee in "All the President's Men," and Dashiell Hammett in "Julia." In 1956 Robards first came to the attention of the critics with his performance in Eugene O'Neill's "The Iceman Cometh." His performance helped define the role for a generation. It also began Robards collaboration with director Jose Quintero, resurrecting the works of O'Neill.

Actor Alfred Molina (“muh-LEE-nah”). He’s starring in the new film, “Chocolat,” (“show-koh-LAHT”) about a mysterious and seductive chocolate shop that electrifies a French village. MOLINA is a Tony-nominated actor who has played in over 30 films, 30 TV movies, and many theater productions. His Tony nomination was for his role in the Broadway hit “Art.” His film credits include “Boogie Nights,” “Anna Karenina,” “Prick up Your Ears,” and “Raiders of the Lost Ark.” Molina was born in London, UK, and lives in Los Angeles.

Actress Christine Baranski. She’s probably best known for her work on the T-V series “Cybill,” in which she played Maryann, the best friend of Cybill Shepherd. She’s currently starring in the T-V sitcom “Welcome To New York” (CBS). She also plays Martha May Whovier in the new film “Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas.” She’s won two Emmys, an American Comedy Award, a Screen Actors Guild Award, and two Tonys for her theater performances. Her film credits include “Bowfinger,” “Cruel Intentions,” and “The Birdcage.” Her plays include “The Real Thing” and “The House of Blue Leaves.”

We remember actor Werner Klemperer, who played Colonel Klink on the T-V show Hogan’s Heroes. He died on December 7th at the age of 80. He was the son of the conductor Otto Klemperer. He started his career in theater, and moved on to Hollywood. He won two Emmys during his 6 year stint as Klink (he was nominated all six years). In 1987 he returned to Broadway to play a Jewish shopkeeper in a revival of Cabaret. His work earned him a Tony nomination. (5/25/87)

Actress Eva Marie Saint. She starred opposite Marlon Brando in the 1954 film “On the Waterfront,” and won an academy award for her portrayal of his convent-reared girlfriend. Later she and Cary Grant teamed up for Alfred Hitchcock’s “North by Northwest.” Saint studied at the famed Actors Studio where Brando, Paul Newman, Marilyn Monroe and Dennis Hopper also did. This Sunday she stars in the CBS Sunday Movie, “Papa’s Angels.”

Veteran actress Angela Lansbury. This weekend she receives a Kennedy Center Honor. She’s spent over 50 years in the business on stage, and in film and television. When she was 17 she debuted in “Gaslight,” and was nominated for an Oscar for her portrayal of Ingrid Bergman’s Cockney maid.

Voice and acting coach Patsy Rodenburg. (“ROH-den-burg”) She’s worked with some of the world’s leading English-speaking actors, including Judi Dench, Daniel Day-Lewis, Maggie Smith and Nicole Kidman. Her new book is “The Actor Speaks: Voice and the Performer.” (St. Martin’s Press) Rodenburg is the Director of Voice at London’s National Theatre and the Guildhall School of Music and Drama. “The Actor Speaks” is a complete vocal workshop for performers of every skill level.

Actor Steve Buscemi. He directed and produced his newest movie “Animal Factory,” a prison drama starring Wilhelm Defoe and Edward Furlong. He made his directorial debut with “Tree’s Lounge” in 1996. He’s acted in over 60 movies in the past twenty years; winning praise for roles in cult favorites like Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction and Fargo.

Writer, director and exotic dancer Julia Query. Her new documentary is “Live Nude Girls, Unite!” about a group of strippers in San Francisco who fight to start a union. Now they have the only union of exotic dancers in the U.S. The women decided unite when they realized they were being illegally filmed by customers in special one-way mirrors. Using a consumer grade Hi8 camera, first time director Query filmed the actions of the workers. She is also a performance artist and stand-up comic, who started dancing as a way to pay the bills.

Actress and playwright Anna Deveare Smith. She’s best known for her one-woman plays based on hundreds of interviews she did with diverse people who experienced a crisis in their community. They include “Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992” about the Rodney King verdict, and “Fires in the Mirror” about the Crown Heights disturbances. Her most recent show “House Arrest” took her to Washington D.C.to interview politicians and pundits, and it involves a community not in crisis. Deveare Smith has also written a new memoir, “Talk to Me: Listening Between the Lines” (Random House).

Scottish actor Alan Cumming. He’s co-starring in the new film “Urbania,” a contemporary film noir. His previous film appearances include, “Get Carter,” “Eyes Wide Shut,” and “Emma.” He also starred in the recent revival of Cabaret.

Singer Songwriter Dion. He’s just released a new record of doo-wop tunes “Deja Nu” (Collectables 2000). In the late 1950s, Dion and his band the Belmonts topped the chart with several pop hits, earning him the status of “teen idol”. Dion split amicably with the band in 1960 and continued to write Top 10 hits until the British Invasion changed the pop preference. Now, in his 50s, he continues to produce, write and sing new material. He lives in Boca Raton, Florida.

Film Critic Henry Sheehan reviews the new film “Dr. T and the Women”.

Film Critic Henry Sheehan reviews the Dancer in the Dark, the new film directed and written by Lars von Trier.

Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre celebrates its 25th anniversary this year. The actor-driven theatre is known for its ensemble acting, and cutting-edge acting style. It’s members include John Mahoney (Martin Crane on “Frazier”), John Malkovich, Kevin Anderson and four actors whom we’ll hear from: First, founding members Gary Sinise (films: “Mission to Mars,” “Apollo 13,” “Of Mice and Men,”) and Terry Kinney (a regular on HBO’s “Oz”).

Actresses Joan Allen (Pat Nixon in “Nixon,” “The Ice Storm,” “Pleasantville” and the upcoming film “The Contender”) and Laurie Metcalf (a regular on TV’s “Norm”, longtime co-star of “Roseanne”).

Actor Greg Kinnear (kin-EAR). He plays a soap opera star in the new film “Nurse Betty.” Kinnear’s other films include “As Good As It Gets” (for which he was nominated for an Academy Award) and “Sabrina.” Kinnear got his start as host and executive producer of “Talk Soup” on E! Entertainment. Later he hosted his own late-night talk show, “Later with Greg Kinnear.”

British actress Brenda Blethyn (like “Beth” – ‘BLETH-in’). She’s starring in the new comedy “Saving Grace” about a middle aged widow whose irresponsible husband left her in huge debt. She decides to start growing marijuana in her greenhouse instead of orchids. Blethyn’s other films include Mike Leigh’s “Secrets and Lies” (she was nominated for an Oscar) and “Little Voice.”

Actor, singer and drag queen Ru Paul. The six-foot seven entertainer is even taller in heels and has fashioned for himself a supermodel persona. He attributes his mainstream appeal to his non-threatening sexuality and his “non-bitchy” drag queen personality. Ru Paul is appearing out of drag in the new comedy “But I’m A Cheerleader.” He plays an ex-gay rehab counselor. Ru Paul’s other films include “Crooklyn,” “The Brady Bunch Movie,” and “Wigstock the Movie.” (THIS INTERVIEW CONTINUES INTO THE SECOND HALF OF THE SHOW).

We remember British actor Sir Alec Guinness who died Saturday at the age of 86. He’s known to older audiences for his roles in films like “The Bridge on the River Kwai,” and to younger audiences as Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars. (REBROADCAST from 2/27/1986)