Issue Date: March 17, 2002
What has happened to Jack Ford of "Good Morning America"? He was my favorite.
Bev Fystrom, Minneapolis
Ford left NBC for ABC in 1999 with the understanding that, two years into his contract, he would be able to take over Charles Gibson's spot on the No. 2 morning show. That didn't happen -- Gibson extended his "temporary" stay indefinitely -- so Ford tells us he is "taking time off and exploring other possibilities." The New Jersey native, 51, hadn't taken a long vacation since getting his law degree 25 years ago. But now is the perfect time: His wife, who helped put him through law school, has been home since last spring recovering from an auto accident. "It's been nice for me to be home to return the favor," says Ford, the father of two children. The former "Court TV" host wouldn't say what offers he's considering, only that he has "the luxury to be selective." And, he promises, "I'm not ready to retire. I fully expect to be back on the air."
The mother on the WB's "Maybe It's Me" looks so familiar. What else has she done?
Sara Cloon, Boston
Julia Sweeney plays the penny-pinching mom on that Friday show, but you probably recognize her from "Saturday Night Live". Sweeney, an SNL player from 1989 to '94, parlayed her most popular role -- the hilariously androgynous Pat -- into It's "Pat: The Movie" in 1994, but it went straight to video. The 40-year-old native of Spokane, Wash., also plays a mother in the teen sci-fi movie "Clockstoppers", due March 29. Her primary role these days, however, is mother to Tara Mulan, 2 1/2, adopted from China a year ago. Mulan was the baby's Chinese name, but Sweeney didn't want people to think she named her after the Disney film, she tells us. "I told someone that recently, and they said, 'You mean Moulin Rouge?' "
Go to top
Sound bite
Jules Asner thinks Americans' news tastes have changed. "We've all become news junkies -- just look at the plethora of cable news channels," says the political science graduate, who hosts E!'s new celebrity exposé, "Revealed" (Wednesdays, 10 p.m. ET). "And you get stories about celebrities and who they're dating on the late-night news. People are curious about that life." She should know: The gorgeous Tempe, Ariz., native has received her share of interview requests since joining E! four years ago. Asner, who also co-anchors E! News Daily with Steve Kmetko, has appeared in "People", "Maxim" and "USA TODAY", but she doesn't like having the notebook turned on her. "I don't think of myself as a public person. I interview celebrities, and I never forget they're the celebrity. It's a line." But Asner, 34, is willing to cross that line in her personal life: She's been dating Oscar-winning director Steven Soderbergh, 39, since last year. Not one to kiss and tell, she'll say only that the relationship is "going well."
I'm a fan of Oded Fehr from the NBC show "UC: Undercover". What can you tell me about him?
Kimberly Webster, Chicago Ridge, Ill.
The Israeli actor was so good in his first big film role -- as the black-robed, tattoo-faced Ardeth Bay in "The Mummy" -- that director Stephen Sommers brought Fehr back for the sequel instead of killing off his character as planned. And Fehr, 31, who was "People"'s "Sexiest Import" in 1999, has been equally praised in his role as undercover agent Frank Donovan on "UC". The actor, born in Tel Aviv to European parents, did counterintelligence in the Israeli navy for three years (between ages 18 and 21), so "what I do on the show is familiar," he says. Fehr studied drama and had TV roles in Britain before coming to L.A., where he lives with his wife. He tries "to go back to Israel as often as I can," but the violence and bloodshed in the Mideast make it difficult. "It's heartbreaking. I worry for my family and friends there."
What do you know about handsome Orlando Bloom from the "Lord of the Rings" film? I'm totally smitten with him.
Andrea Bradford, Salt Lake City
You're not alone, if my mail is any indication. Bloom, 25, became an instant heartthrob with his portrayal of Legolas, the blond, elfin archer in Rings. The English-born actor, whose nickname is Orli, is amused by, and wary of, his newfound popularity: "I find it amazing that people get so excited." Bloom, who headed to India when Rings hit theaters, has said that he "doesn't care much about the money at all" and that he would work without pay if it entailed onscreen smooching. He didn't get to do that in "Black Hawk Down", but the thrill seeker -- he likes to bungee-jump, sky-dive and paraglide -- acted out a 60-foot fall from a helicopter. Bloom had a close call in real life: After breaking his back four years ago, he was told he might never walk again. But 12 days (and one operation) later, he walked out of the hospital.
Go to top
BIRTHDAYS
March 17: Mia Hamm, 30; Rob Lowe, 38; Gary Sinise, 47; Kurt Russell, 51
March 18: Queen Latifah, 32; Vanessa Williams, 39
March 19: Bruce Willis, 47; Glenn Close, 55
March 20: Holly Hunter, 44; Spike Lee, 45; William Hurt, 52; Carl Reiner, 80
March 21: Matthew Broderick, 40; Rosie O'Donnell, 40; Gary Oldman, 44
March 22: Reese Witherspoon, 26; Bob Costas, 50; William Shatner, 71
March 23: Keri Russell, 26; Moses Malone, 47
Contributing: Patty Rhule, Frappa Stout, Jeanne Wright
Also this week:
 Wesley Snipes
Peter Krause
Ask Lorrie Lynch a question about a celeb!
|
