68º

INSIDER

GLENN CLOSE

Shooter at Kansas Jewish centers appeals death sentence

Attorney Reid Nelson also argued before the Kansas Supreme Court that Frazier Glenn Miller Jr.'s sentence should be overturned because the state's death penalty law is unconstitutionally vague. Attorneys also argued in an afternoon session over whether the state's death penalty law itself is unconstitutional. Nelson also argued that the state’s death penalty law is so broad that any first-degree, premeditated murder could be subject to the death penalty. Carver-Allmond said she was not arguing the death penalty should be banned forever in Kansas. Brant Laue, solicitor general of Kansas, argued for the state that the 2019 ruling has no effect on death penalty being constitutional in Kansas under the Bill of Rights.

A by-the-numbers look at a year of Oscar diversity, firsts

10 — Nominations for “Mank," the most of any film this year, with nods for best picture, best director for Fincher, best actor for Gary Oldman and best supporting actress for Seyfried. In the best supporting actor category, Heath Ledger and Ralph Richardson were nominated, with Ledger winning for “The Dark Knight” in 2009. 5 — African nations that have received nominations for best international feature, now that Tunisia has its first nominee, “The Man Who Sold His Skin." 4 — Nominations received by “Nomadland” director Chloé Zhao, a record for a woman in a record year for women. 1 — Man nominated for both best actor and best original song.

Oscars surprises, snubs include Glenn Close, ‘Da 5 Bloods’

It’s a rare year when most of the Oscar nomination surprises are good ones, but 2020 was also a rare year for moviegoing and awards campaigns. Here’s our rundown of the snubs and surprises in the 93rd Academy Award nominations. FEMALE DIRECTORS GET THEIR SHOTFor 92 Academy Awards, only 5 women had ever been nominated for best director and never more than one in the same year. This year, the dubious honor goes to Glenn Close for her portrayal of Mamaw in Ron Howard’s adaptation of J.D. Starring Mads Mikkelsen, the film was well received, but seemed like a long shot for the major Oscars categories.

Fonda says Hollywood needs more diversity after Globes honor

In this video grab issued Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021, by NBC, Jane Fonda accepts the Cecil B. deMille Award at the Golden Globe Awards. (NBC via AP)LOS ANGELES – Just like in her career, Jane Fonda used the Golden Globes’ platform to speak on deeper issues calling for greater diversity in Hollywood while praising the “community of storytellers” as she accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award. While wearing an all-white suit, Fonda raised the Globes’ highest honor above her head Sunday before commending storytellers for their vital role in troubled times. She is the daughter of Oscar winner Henry Fonda, who died in 1982, and sister of Peter Fonda, who died in 2019. She launched IndieCollect’s Jane Fonda Fund for Women Directors, an organization aimed to support the restoration of films helmed by women from around the world.

Good dogs! 20 years of covering Westminster Kennel Club show

FILE - In this Feb. 12, 2008, file photo, Uno, a 15-inch beagle, poses with his trophy after winning Best in Show at the 132nd Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show at Madison Square Garden in New York. That’s when they normally cuddle up on the couch with their precious pooch to watch the Super Bowl of Dogs -- the Westminster Kennel Club show. For now, AP Baseball Writer Ben Walker and wife Ginger Tidwell share their fondest memories from the green carpet over 20 paws-itively wonderful years covering Westminster:___HE’S NUMERO UNO! A dog just being a dog ... and the crowd went crazy, hollering with every step and every bite. He’s won best in show three times at Westminster.

Tony Award-winning choreographer Bob Avian dies at 83

FILE - In this Sept. 29, 2006 file photo, Tony Award-winning choreographer Bob Avian poses in front of the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, home of the revival of " A Chorus Line," in New York. Avian died Thursday, Jan. 21, 2021 of cardiac arrest at Holy Cross Hospital in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, He was 83. (AP Photo/Shiho Fukada, File)NEW YORK – Bob Avian, a Tony Award-winning choreographer who had a role in some of the most beloved and influential shows on Broadway, including “Dreamgirls,” “A Chorus Line,” “Follies” and “Miss Saigon,” has died. Avian earned six Tony nominations and won twice, for choreographing “Ballroom” and co-choreographing “A Chorus Line.” He won an Oliver Award for choreographing Boublil and Schonberg's musical “Martin Guerre” in London. Avian's association with “A Chorus Line” continued when he directed the 2006 revival on Broadway and the London revival at the Palladium in 2013.

Roger Berlind, Tony-winning Broadway producer, dies at 90

Berlind, a producer of more than 100 Broadway plays and musicals and the winner of 25 Tony Awards, has died. His family said cardiopulmonary arrest was to blame, The New York Times reported. (AP Photo/Suzanne Plunkett, File)NEW YORK – Roger Berlind, a producer of more than 100 Broadway plays and musicals and the winner of 25 Tony Awards, has died. His family said cardiopulmonary arrest was to blame, The New York Times reported. It was updated on December 27, 2020, to correct the location of his death to his home in New York City, not his home in Montana.

Glenn Close to receive honorary AARP Purpose Prize award

LOS ANGELES – Glenn Close will receive an honorary AARP award for her work with a charity that brings awareness to mental illness. AARP announced Tuesday that Close will be the first to receive an honorary Purpose Prize Award during a virtual ceremony on Dec. 3. Five individuals will awarded the AARP Purpose Prize, which honors people ages 50 and older who “tap into the power of life." Each prize winner will receive a $50,000 award for their organization. AARP said 10 Purpose Prize fellows will also be honored.

Emma Stone Dishes on Playing Cruella de Vil in New Disney Prequel (Exclusive)

In Zombieland: Double Tap, Stone is reunited with her former co-stars Woody Harrelson, Jesse Eisenberg, and Abigail Breslin, as they continue to try to survive in post-zombie-apocalypse America as a small family unit. Meanwhile, Stone is also in production on another big project, taking on the role of the iconic Disney villain Cruella de Vil in the upcoming live-action prequel, Cruella. 'Zombieland: Double Tap' Trailer No. Embed Code RestartRELATED CONTENT:Emma Stone Has 'Punk Rock' Edge in First Look at 'Cruella' -- Pic! Emma Stone Injures Shoulder After Slipping on the FloorEmma Stone Meets Emma Bunton During Spice Girls Reunion Tour