ACTOR-DIRECTOR CEMENTS RELATIONSHIP WITH INDUSTRY
Ron Howard has left a lasting imprint on Hollywood with such films as "Backdraft," "Apollo 13," and "Splash." On Tuesday, the actor and director made a permanent impression.Howard, known to a generation of fans as Opie on "The Andy Griffith Show," stuck his feet and hands in wet concrete at Mann's Chinese Theatre.
Howard, 45, told the crowd of about 1,000: "One small step in Hollywood, one great leap for Mayberry."
A few screaming fans yelled "Opie!" and others "Richie!" in reference to his "Happy Days" character. Howard's latest film is "EDtv," scheduled for release Friday.
SEPTUPLETS' FATHER GOES ON THE LECTURE CIRCUIT
Kenny McCaughey, father of the world's first living set of septuplets, is finally getting out of his Iowa house and hitting the lecture circuit.
McCaughey quit his job as a billing clerk at a Chevrolet dealership three weeks ago and plans to counsel women to keep their babies, his Nashville-based agent Wes Yoder said. His speaking fee was not disclosed, but Yoder said McCaughey will do about 15 lectures a year.
Bobbi and Kenny McCaughey decided to carry the seven babies to term after fertility doctors warned them of the risks. "He's basically telling the story about what happened to his family," Yoder said.
MADONNA LENDS HER FACE TO TV AD FOR MAX FACTOR
The Material Girl has gone commercial. Madonna has finished shooting a commercial as spokeswoman for cosmetics-maker Max Factor.
The 30-second spot was directed by Alek Keshishian, the man who brought a slice of her real life to the big screen in "Truth or Dare."
The pop star signed a two-year contract to be the face of Max Factor's Gold Premium makeup line, available in Europe and Asia. The ads are to debut in the United Kingdom in May but will not be shown in the United States.
A spokesman for Max Factor said that Madonna is perfect for the role because she's "renowned for always changing her appearance and for using makeup to do so."
STEWART PREFERS PARTY IN L.A. TO SONGS IN OHIO
There was a bit of mystery last week when Rod Stewart canceled his only concert in Ohio because of an unknown scheduling conflict. The mystery may have been solved. Stewart was seen at an Academy Awards party in Los Angeles on Sunday, the night he was to have performed at the University of Toledo.