Journalist, Author & Syndicated Columnist
A “critic” at a publication I never heard of suggested that I not write reviews for films that I didn’t like. For real. He really said this. He didn’t seem to understand that at the Chicago Sun-Times (where I was employed at the time), editors didn’t give reporters the option of only writing about things that they liked. He argued with me about it until I finally just stopped responding to his emails. Who was he? Honestly, I can’t even remember.
Kristin Bauer portrays Pam on HBO’s hit series “True Blood.” Pam, a bloodthirsty vampire, will do whatever it takes to protect her maker Eric (Alexander Skarsgard). In real life, the actress — who was born in Racine, Wis. — resides in Los Angeles with her husband Abri van Straten, their two dogs and two cats.
With more than 60 gold albums and 24 platinum records, Engelbert Humperdinck has a voice (and name) that is known to generations of fans. The 75-year-old musician’s repertoire of No. 1 hits includes “Release Me,” “There Goes My Everything” and “After the Lovin’.” He’s currently on tour to support his latest CD, “released.”
Kenneth Choi has two high-profile films in the hopper. First, he portrays Jim Morita, one of the Howling Commandos in the action film “Captain America: The First Avenger,” which opens July 22. He has also finished shooting the remake of “Red Dawn.” Currently a resident of Los Angeles, the 39-year-old actor talks about some of his favorite places and also explains why he wants to revisit a destination that holds nothing but bad memories for him.
Born in Utah and raised in Alaska, singer Jewel Kilcher — known professionally simply as Jewel — has laid down her roots in Texas with her husband, Ty Murray. She debuted in 1995 with her album “Pieces of You,” which sold more than 15 million copies, thanks to her hits “Who Will Save Your Soul,” “You Were Meant for Me” and “Foolish Games.” Fittingly, she is the host of the Bravo singer-songwriter competition, “Platinum Hit,” where she also serves as one of the judges.
Fashion designer Amsale Aberra — known professionally simply as Amsale — is synonymous with upscale wedding gowns that can cost brides $75,000. Aberra stars in the WE tv reality series “Amsale Girls,” which focuses on the brides who frequent her New York boutique and the women who help them pick out their fantasy dresses.
Christopher Gorham has a good theory about stardom: “When people ask me, ‘Are you famous?’ I’m like, ‘Well, I guess, no.” The 36-year-old California-based actor is shooting the second season of the spy series “Covert Affairs,” which airs on the USA Network. He portrays a former CIA operative named Auggie, who was blinded during a mission.
Diana Nyad is back in the news. In the next few weeks, the swimming legend is going to attempt a 103-mile swim from Cuba to Florida — a feat she failed to accomplish in 1978 when she was in her late 20s. When Nyad turned 60, she began thinking about the swim that eluded her.
Landon Donovan is the face of American soccer. An all-time leader in scoring and assists for the U.S. National Soccer team, which currently is competing in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, the 29 year old is also a star player for the Los Angeles Galaxy. Donovan, who is based out of Southern California, is a four-time winner of the U.S. Soccer Male Athlete of the Year.
People know who Bobby Flay is because he is everywhere. The celebrity restaurateur (Mesa Grill) is the Food Network’s face of grilling, an Iron Chef and host of the network’s biggest show “Food Network Star,” which premieres this season on Sunday, June 5. Though Flay loves traveling overseas, the 46-year-old culinary artist says if he were forced to pick between visiting domestic or international locales, he’d pick the United States.