Issue Date: June 23, 2002
I loved Heath Ledger's work in "The Patriot" and "A Knight's Tale". Does he have any new films coming?
Kelsey Meier, Littleton, Colo.
He has three movies in the works, and, to his delight, not one is a typical teen flick. He started out in such fare at home in Australia and says, "You can only take the psyche of a teenager to a certain level." Today, Heathcliff Andrew Ledger (named for the character in "Wuthering Heights"), 23, wants more sophisticated roles, so we'll see him as a British officer in a remake of the war adventure "Four Feathers", due in September; a priest in the mystery-thriller "The Sin Eater", slated for January; and a 19th-century Australian outlaw in "Ned Kelly", expected late this year or in 2003. Because he's handsomer than heck and appeared unattached at press time, we also asked about girlfriends, but neither he nor his PR people are talking.
Not long ago, Hootie & the Blowfish was one of the biggest-selling bands in the country. Then, without warning or word of a breakup, they disappeared. What happened?
Dan Burke, Vassalboro, Maine
Don't worry about Hootie, Dan. The Grammy-winning band is busy on its fourth album. At the same time, lead singer Darius Rucker has been making a CD of his own, Back to Then, due July 30. Rucker tells us you may be surprised to hear his solo work. It's more urban: "It was made with a bunch of R&B and hip-hop guys, so it has that sound. With pop sensibilities." Rucker, who lives in his native South Carolina with his wife and two daughters, says his early influences were Al Green, Otis Redding and Gladys Knight; Back to Then is "the kind of music I [always] thought I'd make. I hope it makes me an even bigger star than I already am!" Hootie's Rucker, 36, flies solo on a new CD.
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You may not recognize his face, but if you've ever dialed Mr. Moviefone to check local offerings, you know the voice. L.A. native Russ Leatherman, 40, is the brains behind 333- or 777-FILM, the national film directory. And it's his self-described "Dick Clark-on-crack, strung-out-DJ voice" that has been the target of TV and film spoofs, including a hilarious "Seinfeld" episode with Kramer imitating the service. When he created Moviefone 12 years ago, Leatherman had a hard time attracting investors but was convinced it would make him a millionaire. Thanks to AOL buying his company three years ago, it has -- "many times over." So, what does the pre-eminent voice on movies think of this summer's stock? "My kids are freaking about 'Scooby-Doo'. I'm waiting for 'Austin Powers 3'."
Do you think Winona Ryder's reputation can recover from her arrest on shoplifting charges?
Dana Smith, Detroit
Sure, in part because Ryder, 30, has a sense of humor about it, making fun of herself last month on "Saturday Night Live" and wearing a "Free Winona" T-shirt for a fashion shoot. We realize the four felony charges stemming from her December arrest at Saks Fifth Avenue in Beverly Hills are serious. But fans are likely to forgive and forget, and her ability to get hired shouldn't suffer unless she runs afoul of the law again. In fact, her latest movie -- "Mr. Deeds", with Adam Sandler -- opens next Friday. A delicious touch of irony: Ryder plays a tabloid newspaper reporter.
Ryder had fun on SNL with cast member Jimmy Fallon; they once dated.
The girl with the mohawk in the canceled Fox sitcom That '80s Show looked so familiar. Where have we seen her before?
Jenna Michaels, Columbus, Ohio
She's Chyler (KY-ler) Leigh, and she raised eyebrows with some racy scenes in last winter's "Not Another Teen Movie". Still, even she would be surprised if you noticed her on the street. Because of her "'80s Show" get-up, Leigh, 20, is rarely recognized. "I guess it's really a blessing in disguise," says the actress, who will star in a new Fox drama, "Girls Club". "I can still go wherever I want." Leigh's '80s look took lots of makeup and super hair gel.
After growing up in sunny southern California, why does Lucie Arnaz, the daughter of Lucille Ball and Desi Arnaz, choose to live in cold, damp, rainy upstate New York?
Scott Jones, Utica, N.Y.
Actually, Arnaz, 50, lives downstate in a suburb of New York City with her husband, actor Laurence Luckinbill, and their three kids. She doesn't miss L.A. and seldom visits. Her mom was born upstate in Jamestown, N.Y., the site of the Lucy-Desi Museum. Arnaz and brother Desi Jr. recently were outbid on eBay when they tried to purchase the two-story house in which their mother was raised.
With Frappa Stout. Contributing: Patty Rhule, Jeanne Wright.
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BIRTHDAYS
June 23: Clarence Thomas, 54
June 24: Sherry Stringfield, 35
June 25: Dikembe Mutombo, 36; George Michael, 39; Carly Simon, 57
June 26: Derek Jeter, 28; Chris O'Donnell, 32; Chris Isaak, 46
June 27: Tobey Maguire, 27; Vera Wang, 53; Ross Perot, 72
June 28: John Cusack, 36; John Elway, 42; Kathy Bates, 54
June 29: Sharon Lawrence, 41; Richard Lewis, 55; Gary Busey, 58
 Ask Lorrie Lynch a question about a celeb!
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