Q. My husband says Dick Clark is in his 60s; I say he's in his 70s. -T.N., Detroit.
A. Clark was 63 last November 30.Q. Tell me something about Marissa Tomei, of "My Cousin Vinny." What other TV and movies has she done? - W.W., Falconer, N.Y.
A. Until "Vinny," Oscar winner Tomei's best-known works were three years, 1983-86, in the soap "As the World Turns" and one season, '87-88, as Lisa Bonet's roommate in "A Different World." Tomei, 28, was born in Brooklyn and dropped out of Boston University after a year to "earn money for the next year." She landed an acting bit in the movie "The Flamingo Kid" and had a brief role on the soap "All My Children" before "ATWT." Her movies include "Oscar" with Sylvester Stallone, "Chaplin," "Untamed Heart" and "Equinox." She spent part of last summer doing Shakespeare in New York's Central Park.
Q. For the past 10 years, I have enjoyed "Knots Landing." It is the only TV program I look forward to. Now, I hear the final episode has been aired. Tell me why it has been canceled after winning so many awards. - V.C., Deptford, N.J.
A. "Knots" wasn't canceled as much as it ended by mutual consent of the producers and CBS. After 14 seasons, which makes it longest running nighttime soap in TV history, there wasn't much more to say and the actors wanted to go on to other things. The ratings had been in a steady decline for several seasons. It did perk up this season but not enough to win a reprieve.
Q. I would like to see one show where Ben Matlock and Perry Mason oppose each other as trial lawyers. Wouldn't that be a great test of wits? It would probably have to end in a draw. Where do I write to suggest it? -S.S., Chicago.
A. Interesting idea but not quite feasible. For one thing, both Matlock and Mason are defense lawyers. To pit them in a criminal case - where both excel - means one would have to act as a prosecutor. From a business standpoint: The two shows are from different production companies, Viacom for "Matlock," Universal TV for "Mason." And they're on different networks, ABC for "Matlock," NBC for "Mason."
Q. Tell me how to get in touch with Shari Lewis, of "Lambo Chop Play Along" on PBS. - P.G., Philadelphia.
A. Write: WTTW-Chicago, 5400 St. Louis Ave., Chicago, Ill. 60625.
Q. Who are the voices of the original Fred, Wilma, Betty and Barney, of "The Flinstones"? What happened to them? - R.M., Woodhaven, Mich.
A. Alan Reed was Fred. (He died in 1977.) Jean Vander Pyl was Wilma. (She has no credits after the late 1970s.) Mel Blanc was Barney. (He died in 1989.) Bea Benedaret was Betty. (She died in 1968.)
Q. Tell me about Liza Snyder, one of the stars of "Sirens." Where can I write them? - H.K., Charlotte, N.C.
A. Snyder's from a show business family. Her father, Denton Snyder, was a professor of theater at Smith College in Northampton, Mass.; her mother was nightclub singer Babbie Green; her grandmother is Betty Furness and her grandfather, composer Johnny Green. Snyder was born in Northampton and made her stage bow at 6 in a play by her father. She started acting seriously in high school in Los Angeles. After studying with Sanford Meisner in New York, she worked in theater, then did her first TV work with a bit in "The Trials of Rosie O'Neill."
Q. I am impressed by "Masterpiece Theater." What information do you have on its production and where can I write? Are episodes available on video? - L.M., Southfield, Mich.
A. "Masterpiece Theater" was the idea of Christopher Sarson, a producer at WGBH-TV, Boston's public TV station. It's a collection of British TV productions. (There is no "Masterpiece Theater" in Britain.) It debuted with "The First Churchills" in January 1971, hosted by Alistair Cooke, who retired this season as host. He'll be succeeded by Russell Baker next season. WGBH produces the introductions. Write: WGBH-TV, 125 Weston St., Boston, Mass. 02134. Many of the productions are on video through various sources.
Q. I've seen Flex on the Uptown Comedy Club and the new show "Where I Live." He's cute and funny. Tell me about him. - T.J., Columbus, Ga.
A. Bronx-born Flex (who uses his nickname, short for flexibilty as a dancer) studied at New York's Arts and Design High School, had an athletic scholarship to North Carolina's St. Augustine College but dropped out due to injury. He's danced on stage and choreographed videos for rap groups, done stand-up comedy at New York's Apollo Theater and comedy clubs and had a bit in the movie "Juice."
Q. Tell me what's happened to Jimmy Smits of "L.A. Law." Is he of Mexican extraction? I would think when Hispanics are coming into their own, he would have great exposure. - N.H., Hackensack, N.J.
A. Smits opted out of series TV for movies, TV and big screen. They take longer to make. He's just been in the ABC two-parter, "Stephen King's The Tommyknockers." Smits' father was from Suriname, a South American Dutch colony; his mother is Puerto Rican. They met in New York and Jimmy was born and raised in Brooklyn.
Q. I am 18, deaf and interested in an acting career. Where can I write to Marlee Matlin? - T.J., Norfolk, Va.
A. Write: Lorimar Telepictures, 10202 W. Washington Blvd., Culver City, Calif. 90232.
Q. Please tell me what has happened to Constance Ford, Ada on "Another World." - J.B., Salt Lake City, Utah.
A. February was a bad month for soap opera actors - and fans. Ford, who was 69, died of cancer; Michael Morrison, Caleb on "As the World Turns," died at 33 of alcohol and drugs; Joy Garrett, Jo on "Days of Our Lives," died of liver failure. She was 47. Add to those the March death following surgery of Douglas Marland, 58, who had written and produced for almost every major soap opera for the past 30 years.
Q. Give me the address to write to the producer of "Another World." On March 12, they referred to Banff as being in British Columbia. I realize the average American knows nothing of our geography but surely they have research people. - Mrs. M.M., Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
A. Americans need all the Canadian geography lessons they can get. Too bad "AW" is guilty of spreading wrong information. Banff and Banff National Park and beautiful Lake Louise are in Alberta. Write: Michael D. Laibson, executive producer, Another World, NBC-TV, 30 Rockefller Plaza, New York, N.Y 10112.
Q. What has become of Sergio Franchi, the singer? I have records and tapes of his delightful voice and would like to hear more. - V.C., Freehold, N.J.
A. Franchi died in 1990 of a brain tumor. He was 57.
Q. We have seen reruns of many John Wayne movies. But why is it that we are not able to see "McLintock!," can't even rent it? - J.E.S., Tucson, Ariz.
A. Now you can, in two versions. The 1963 western is one of four Wayne movies - "The High and the Mighty," "Island in the Sky" and "Hondo" are the others - withheld from the home video market by the Wayne estate. The actor owned the rights to the films and left them, and any financial returns from them, to his children. In the years they've been withheld, the movies, especially "McLintock!," have been among the most requested by the public. But now, MPI Home Video has issued one version; GoodTimes Home Video Co. has issued another. MPI has sued GoodTimes, claiming MPI's is the only version authorized by the copyright owner, Batjac Prods., Wayne's company, now run by his oldest son Michael. According to Wayne, quoted by Knight-Ridder's Ron Miller, the MPI version, done from the original negative, is of "superior quality." Wayne is planning to let MPI issue videos of the other three movies still in the vaults within the next 18 months.
Q. After watching the movie "The Untouchables," my husband claims Sean Connery is from Ireland. I say he's from Scotland. - JJ & TJ, Saint Clair Shores, Mich.
A. Connery, who's real name is Thomas Connery, is very Scottish. He was born in Edinburgh, Scotland, and is a supporter of the Scottish National Party, which advocates separation from England.
Q. I really like Elijah Wood as the new Huck Finn. Tell me about him, his age, his real name. - L.N., Southhampton, Pa.
A. Elijah Wood is 12 years old. He's from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where he started in TV commercials. In 1988, his mom took him to Los Angeles where an agent signed him up. He did more commercials and made his movie debut in "Back to the Future II" in 1989. Since then, he's done "Internal Affairs," "Avalon," "Radio Flyer" and "Forever Young." He is currently at work with another young star, Macaulay Culkin, in "The Good Son" to be seen later this year.
- Send your questions to Celebrity Questions, Detroit Free Press, 321 W. Lafayette Blvd, Detroit, MI 48231.