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Courtney B. Vance received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles on Dec. 16
During his speech at the ceremony, the 65-year-old actor shouted out a long list of actors, industry members and loved ones who "paved the way" for him in his career
Vance was joined at the ceremony by his wife, Angela Bassett, and 19-year-old twins, Bronwyn and Slater, all three of whom shared some words about the actor

It takes a village.

Courtney B. Vancewas honored witha star on the Hollywood Walk of Famethis week — and he had a long list of people to thank who "paved the way" for him in his career.

During his speech at the Dec. 16 ceremony on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles, the 65-year-old actor took some time to shout out a number of actors, industry members and loved ones who have supported him on his decades-long journey in the entertainment business.

"I have learned that I'm not rich in money or things. I'm rich in the people who surround myself and our family," Vance said. "I'm most grateful for all the people who held my hand and paved the way."

"People likeMeryl Streep… Lloyd Richards and Earle Gister. Henry Woronicz," he added. "My uncles Lloyd and Lee Daniels. My aunt Lois Anne."

Stephen Lovekin/Getty

Continuing his long list of shout-outs, Vance mentioned several other mentors and friends, includingJames Earl Jones,Mary Aliceand "the entire cast" of the Broadway production ofFences, as well asStockard Channing, Swoosie Kurtz and the rest of the original stars ofSix Degrees of Separation. He also thanked his team, his parents, histwo children— daughter Bronwyn and son Slater, both 19 — and "finally, the person who has made me the man I am today, my wifeAngela Bassett."

Earlier in his speech, Vance had recalled being by Bassett's side when she received her own star back in 2008.

"I saw this honor bestowed upon my wife March 20, 2008, when our children were almost 2, and I remember how huge a day it was for both our families and to return to this hallowed place directly across the street from where she was honored and have that same honor bestowed upon me, is really more happiness than I emotionally can bear, but I must shoulder on," he said, eliciting some laughs from the crowd.

Frazer Harrison/Getty

Bassett, 67, also gave a little speech on behalf of her husband at the ceremony on Dec. 16, calling Vance a "committed, relatable and deeply reliable" actor. "He shows up fully every time, onstage, on-screen, and on television, drowning each performance in emotional truth and the human complexity," she said.

"Today's honor is deeply deserved. This star recognizes not only his artistry, but his integrity, his generosity and his grace with which he moves through the world," she continued, before addressing Vance directly: "I'm proud of you. I love you, and I'm grateful that the world now has a star that bears your name."

Frazer Harrison/Getty

Bronwyn and Slater also each took to the podium to share a tribute for their dad. The latter described Vance as "the most altruistic public servant that I've ever encountered."

"Empathy and taking care of people are one thing, but consistently bearing witness to others' existences is entirely another. I've never seen someone cherish people like my father, expecting and wanting no award," Slater said. "This man goes out of his way to make sure that people around him are at ease, helping in any way conducive to that goal."

In her speech, Bronwyn noted that while the "world knows [Vance] as an award-winning actor on stage and screen," he is "an award-winning father at home" to her and her twin brother.

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After sharing some of the ways he doted on his daughter and the important life lessons he taught his kids, Bronwyn said, "Dad, you spend your life serving others today as we celebrate you. I hope you'll allow yourself to be fully celebrated. There's no one more deserving of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, not just for the greatness you've given this industry, but for the greatness of who you are."

"I love you, Dad," she added.

Read the original article onPeople

byManuel Mongo

in

December 21, 2025

Courtney B. Vance Shouts Out the Actors Who ‘Paved the Way’ for Him in His Career: ‘I’m Rich in People’

Jesse Grant/Variety via Getty NEED TO KNOW Courtney B. Vance received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles on Dec. 16 Duri...

Rob Reiner's friends and colleagues share fond and funny memories

Rob Reiner's circle was wide and eclectic, spanning comedians honing punchlines and Oscar-winning actors and filmmakers shaping Hollywood itself.

As the son of comedy legend Carl Reiner, he entered the world of entertainment early, but went on to make a name for himself as a director, filmmaker, and actor in his own right.

He's perhaps best known for hisbreakout roleat age 23 as Archie Bunker's liberal son-in-law, Michael "Meathead" Stivic in the hit 1970s sitcom "All in the Family," though others may know him more recently as Bob Day, the father of the quirky Jess Day in "New Girl." Reiner also directed iconic films such as "The Princess Bride," "When Harry Met Sally…," "This is Spinal Tap," "Stand By Me" and "A Few Good Men."

Friends and colleagues who worked with Reiner through the years sat down with CBS News to share their personal anecdotes and fond memories of him following the news of his tragic death. Reiner and his wife, Michele, werefound deadin their Los Angeles home on Dec. 14 and their son, Nick, wascharged in their murders.

Here's a look at some tributes from those who knew Reiner best, featured in "CBS News: Rob Reiner - Scenes from a Life,"a one-hour specialthat will be broadcast Sunday after "60 Minutes" on CBS andstreaming on Paramount+.

Albert Brooks

Albert Brookssaid he's still in disbelief over the death of his good friend, who he's known since the pair attended drama class together at Beverly Hills High School more than 60 years ago. He said he was heartbroken, but he loves to talk about his friendship with Reiner because it's "genuine and it's rare."

"Rob was my oldest friend. It's that simple. He's the person that I've known the longest. I met him when I was 14 years old. So I'm still in that not believing it stage," he told CBS News.

Brooks said he still finds himself dialing his pal's number to chat, and then freezes when he realizes what he's done.

"I know it happened, but, you know, I'm driving around and all of a sudden — I actually two days ago, I called his number," he recalled.

Kathy Bates

Oscar-winning actressKathy Bateshas credited Reiner with changing "the course of [her] life" by directing her unforgettable performance as Annie Wilkes in "Misery" in 1990.

"If I hadn't done 'Misery,' it would be like George Bailey going back and seeing what his life would have been like if he had never been there," she said. "I wouldn't have had some of the friends that I have now. I wouldn't have had the richness in my life. I quite frankly probably would have stayed in the theater and I doubt I would have had a movie career. I might have dropped out altogether."

Kiefer Sutherland

Kiefer Sutherlandwho played Lt. Jonathan Kendrick in the 1992 legal drama "A Few Good Men" said Reiner had an unforgettable presence on set as director. He recalled the tense courtroom scene where Jack Nicholson – Colonel Nathan Jessup – had to deliver his now famous line, "You can't handle the truth!"

After the first moving take, Sutherland recalled Reiner asking Nicholson if he wanted to go again.

"No one said a word, and Rob went up to Jack Nicholson and whispered in his ear, 'Do you want to do another one?' And Jack Nicholson said, 'Well, we're here,'" Sutherland recalled. "So they did another one, and it was just as extraordinary."

The actors planned a marathon filming day, but Sutherland said Reiner was so blown away by Nicholson's performance that day that he sent everyone home early.

"They had planned to shoot the whole day, and Rob looked at everybody and said, 'I couldn't ask for anything more, so you guys all have the rest of the day off," Sutherland said.

Annette Bening

Annette Bening recalled that while filming the 1995 romantic comedy, "The American President," Reiner made it a priority as the movie's director to ensure the cast and crew could spend quality time with their families.

"He would insist that the day ended at a sane time, which in show business is kind of unusual," Bening said. "But, he said, 'No, we want everyone to be able to have dinner with their kids.'"

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byManuel Mongo

in

December 21, 2025

Rob Reiner's friends and colleagues share fond and funny memories

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Titanicremains one ofKate Winslet's most celebrated films — but it also marked the start of a tumultuous period in her life.

Her role as Rose DeWitt Bukater, oppositeLeonardo DiCaprio's Jack Dawson, launched Winslet into stardom, forcing her to quickly adjust to life in the public eye.

"It was horrific," Winslet, 50, told BBC Radio 4'sDesert Island Discsin a Dec. 21 interview. "There were people tapping my phone. They were just everywhere. And I was just on my own. I was terrified to go to sleep."

Winslet said she was particularly disturbed by the lengths that people went to when invading her privacy, which included searching through her trash cans to "try and figure out what diet I was on or wasn't on."

Paramount Pictures/Twentieth Century Fox

She added that in the aftermath ofTitanic's release and immense popularity, she began seeing her face on the cover of newspapers and magazines, often accompanied by "awful, terrible, actually abusive names."

Winslet was just 22 whenJames Cameron's romantic tragedy arrived in theaters, instantly becoming a worldwide sensation. After opening to No. 1 on Dec. 19, 1997, the film remained at the top for a whopping 15 weeks. While she spoke highly of her experience making the movie and was grateful for its success, Winslet noted that her world was "totally turned upside down" once it hit theaters. As fervor for the film grew, she and DiCaprio became objects of tabloid fascination, with paparazzi constantly at their heels.

"I wasn't ready for that world," she admitted.

Winslet said the only way to cope was "a good meal, a shared conversation, a nice cup of coffee, a bit of Radiohead and a good poo." She added, "Life's all the better for those things."

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Elsewhere in the conversation, Winslet noted that the intrusion intensified again, a decade later, when she divorced her second husband, directorSam Mendesin 2010.

"I was being followed by paparazzi in New York City with my two small kids, who wanted to, of course, know the reason why Sam and I had split up," she shared.

Jim Smeal/Ron Galella Collection via Getty

How did she cope that time around? "You just keep your mouth closed, you put your head down, and you keep walking," she said. "And you try and put your hands over your children's ears. You lean on your friends, you just keep going."

Winslet credited her friends for lending their support, shouting out a neighboring couple who would leave her a "bowl of steaming pasta and a little glass of red wine" on the garden wall between their homes.

Over the years, Winslet has not shied away from unpackingthe dark side of her success,from the general media intrusions to the frustration of being body-shamed by tabloids. Last year, during a visit to60 Minutes, Winslet reacted to old footage of commentators discussing her dress size, voicing her lasting disgust for the way she was treated.

"It was absolutely appalling," she said. "What kind of a person must they be to do something like that to a young actress who's just trying to figure it out?"

Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byManuel Mongo

in

December 21, 2025

Kate Winslet was 'terrified to go to sleep' after 'horrific' phone tapping, trash rummaging following “Titanic”

John Nacion/FilmMagic Titanicremains one ofKate Winslet's most celebrated films — but it also marked the start of a tumultuous period ...

Amy Sussman/Getty

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Bob the Drag Queen revealed how he's preparing for his Broadway debut in Moulin Rouge! The Musical
The comedian and actor is set to play Harold Zidler in an upcoming eight-week run of the live show
Bob, 39, also shared his favorite pop culture moment of 2025 while speaking exclusively to PEOPLE

Bob the Drag Queenshared how he is preparing for his Broadway debut inMoulin Rouge! The Musical.

The comedian, actor, podcast host andNew York Timesbest-selling author caught up with PEOPLE at the 2025 TikTok Awards in Los Angeles on Thursday, Dec. 18. During the conversation, he shared the specific way he is getting ready to play Harold Zidler, the larger-than-life master of ceremonies and owner of the Moulin Rouge, during his eight-week run of the show.

"I've been taking vocal lessons," Bob, 39, revealed. "And also, you know, I've seen the Broadway show a few times, but I've actually never seen the movie, so I'm waiting right before I go [on to see it]. Me and my friends are all gonna get together and finally watch theMoulin Rougemovie, like, together."

He continued, "I'm doing all my vocal lessons. I'm studying my script, and then I'm gonna finally sit down and watch the original movie. Shout out, shout out, shout out to[Nicole] Kidman, you know?"

20th Century Fox/THA/Shutterstock

The character of Harold Zidler was first played by actor Jim Broadbent in the 2001 movieMoulin Rouge.The role has since been played by stars likeDanny Burstein,Tituss Burgess,Boy GeorgeandWayne Bradyin the stage version.

While speaking with PEOPLE at the TikTok event, Bob went on to share one of his favorite pop culture moments of 2025.

"I gotta give it to theLabubu," he said. "It was such a fun moment, you know?"

"I've always been behind every trend, and I was right on time for the first time ever. I was right on time. I was. I wasn't an unc," he continued, referring to the slang term "uncle," which affectionately refers to an older man.

"I was young, honey. I was fresh, honey," he added.

And as for his "favorite TikTok sound" of the year?

"Honestly, I'm always behind the trend, so I'm still a big fan of, you know, 'She's an icon, she's a legend, and she's the moment.' … That was not new, but I'm still in love with that sound," he revealed.

Kevin Winter/Getty

The formerRuPaul's Drag Racewinner went on to reflect on the current chapter of his life, calling it his "producer era."

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"I'm in my producer era. I just opened up Perch First Studios, where we do a lot of podcasts and long-form content. My show,The Big Question,over there on the [studio'sYouTube page]. So check it out."

The PEOPLE Puzzler crossword is here! How quickly can you solve it? Play now!

Bob can be seen inMoulin Rouge! The Musicalfor an eight-week run at Broadway's Al Hirschfeld Theatre starting Jan. 27.

Read the original article onPeople

byManuel Mongo

in

December 21, 2025

Bob the Drag Queen Reveals the Unexpected Way He’s Preparing for His Broadway Debut in “Moulin Rouge! The Musical” (Exclusive)

Amy Sussman/Getty NEED TO KNOW Bob the Drag Queen revealed how he's preparing for his Broadway debut in Moulin Rouge! The Musical The...

Sky News Kamali Melbourne; Katie Spencer

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Sky News' Kamali Melbourne had a hilarious reaction to arts and entertainment correspondent Katie Spencer accidentally saying an expletive on live television
After she began to stumble over her words during an early morning segment, Spencer unexpectedly cursed
After a few moments of silence with a priceless expression on his face, Melbourne said, "Apologies if you heard any bad language there, we'll check that out"

A Sky News anchor accidentally dropped an expletive on live television.

On Dec. 20, arts and entertainment correspondent Katie Spencer was discussing author David Walliams when she accidentally let an expletive slip without realizing she was on the air.

"He published his very first book with Harper Collins back in 2008,The Boy in the Dress," Spencer said before going on to stumble over her words, as seen in a video obtained byThe Independent. "He's gone on to publish a further … more than 14 ... Oh f— it, I'm going to start again."

Seeming unaware she was live at the time, Spencer shifted in her seat and looked at the camera to add, "Sorry, do not ever air me saying the F-word."

SkyNews/Instagram

As she went on to restart her story, the camera cut back to the newsroom, where Kamali Melbourne, Anna Jones and sports presenter Jacquie Beltrao all seemed a bit shocked.

"Apologies if you heard any bad language there, we'll check that out" Melbourne said after a few moments of awkward silence, furrowing his brows with the most priceless expression as he looked back and forth between Jones and Beltrao.

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He then switched gears and turned to Beltrao before quipping, "But Jacquie's joined us — no bad language, Jacs." She replied with a laugh, "No bad language from me!"

Despite the accidental expletive, many viewers found humor in Spencer's unexpected moment, joking that it was "too late" to fulfill Spencer's request to never air her saying the F-word.

"The face on the bloke at the desk .... PRICELESS," one user wrote on X. "The perils of live TV."

Another user shared a GIF of someone excitedly covering their mouth in shock alongside the caption, "Swearing doesn't bother me, but when you hear a reporter on #SkyNews drop the F-bomb before 8am…"

Read the original article onPeople

byManuel Mongo

in

December 21, 2025

Journalist Has Hilarious Reaction as Co-Anchor Drops the F-Bomb During Live Broadcast

NEED TO KNOW Sky News' Kamali Melbourne had a hilarious reaction to arts and entertainment correspondent Katie Spencer accidentally sa...

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Lily Collins was born into the entertainment world. She made her film debut inThe Blind Sidein 2009 and later earned a Golden Globe nomination for Warren Beatty'sRules Don't Applyin 2016. She went on to take on a wide range of roles, including Snow White inMirror Mirroropposite Julia Roberts, the lead in the romantic comedyLove, Rosie, and a young woman in deep recovery in the harrowing Netflix dramaTo the Bone.

But it was her family ties that kept her close to the arts from the start. Lily is the daughter of musician Phil Collins and architect Jill Tavelman. Their marriage ended when Lily was five, and she lived full time with her mother, an arrangement that shaped much of her upbringing.

Here, get to know Lily's parents, Phil and Jill.

Meet Lily's mom, Jill Tavelman:

AFI FEST 2016 - Opening Night Premiere Of

Tavelmanreportedlymet Phil at Hollywood's legendary Rainbow Bar on the Sunset Strip in 1980, and they married in 1984. Lily was born on March 18, 1989, and she is their only child. (Phil has five children total from three different marriages; Tavelman was his second marriage.)

Previously a teacher and an architect, Tavelman now owns an antique store in West Hollywood, California that she opened in 2014. OnInstagram, she describes herself as a "purveyor of resurrected oddities" and also still goes by her married name. Lily and her mother remain quite close.

"Happy Mother's Day to my first role model and partner in crime. Little did I know back then just how many adventures we'd go on together and the never-ending beautiful experiences we'd share," Lily wrote onInstagramin 2021. "Thank you for always encouraging me to be a kind-hearted, driven, passionate and adventurous spirit. I respect and admire you more than I can properly express in words."

Meet Lily's dad, Phil Collins:

With Phil touring around the world, he was away often during her childhood. When Lily was older, the two later repaired their relationship. But in 2012, Lily shrugged off any suggestions of childhood conflicts as just rumors. "I've only ever known growing up across different countries–to me it's just fun," she toldThe Guardianat the time.

But Lily opened up much more a few years later. Among other deeply personal issues, she reflected on her relationship with her father in her 2017 autobiography,Unfiltered: No Shame, No Regrets, Just Me. "Because my dad was often gone, I never wanted to do anything that would make him stay away even longer," she wrote in the book. "I became extra careful about what I said and how I said it, afraid he'd think I was angry or didn't love him. And the truth is, I was angry. I missed him and wanted him there. I've realized that many of my deepest insecurities stem from these issues with my dad. It's taken me over a decade to resolve some of them (others I'm still resolving) and to finally build up the courage to speak my mind to him."

Furthermore, Lilyshared about her experiencewith an eating disorder and linked some of those feelings to her parents' split. "Not only did I start viewing myself differently physically, but I began limiting my happiness by controlling my eating habits," she wrote.

The pair appear to have mended fences in the years since. In 2022, Lily dedicateda loving birthday post to Phil on Instagram. "I may no longer fit in your arms or sit comfortably on your shoulders but you continue to hug me tightly when I need it most. We may not get to spend time together that often but when we are face to face, you really do see me," Lily wrote. "You may not always believe it but please trust me when I say, no matter how old I get or what life may bring, I will always need you."

Meet Lily's parents in-law:

Charlie McDowell, Lily Collins, Mary Steenburgen and Ted Danson at the Los Angeles screening of Windfall in 2022. Charley Gallay - Getty Images" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

You can't pick your blood relatives and you can't pick your in-laws, but sometimes you luck out. Lily, indeed, lucked out in the in-laws department. In September 2021, Lily married Charlie McDowell, also the offspring of two very famous actors: Malcolm McDowell and Mary Steenburgen. The couple divorced in 1990, and Steenburgen later married Ted Danson in 1995. But everyone seems to love Lily.

"Charlie, my son, and Lily, my daughter-in-law!!! Thank you for letting us all bask in the transparent beauty of your love for each other," Steenburgenwroteon Instagram in 2021. "My heart is overflowing and it almost feels like the last few days were some sort of beautiful dream. But it is all real, and I feel like the luckiest mother in the world." (She alsotook it upon herself to educateSteenburgen and Danson aboutThe Real Housewives of Orange County.)

In an interview withPeoplein August, Malcolm was asked what he thought about Netflix'sEmily in Paris. He candidly admitted it wasn't for him, but that he supported Lily's career anyway. "But I'm the biggest fan of my daughter-in-law," he told the magazine. "I think she's absolutely one of the great actresses."

byManuel Mongo

in

December 21, 2025

Lily Collins Had a Complicated Relationship With Her Famous Father While Growing Up

"Hearst Magazines and Yahoo may earn commission or revenue on some items through these links." Lily Collins was born into the en...

'I Love LA' star Jordan Firstman speaks his mind about Hollywood, 'Heated Rivalry'

NEW YORK –Jordan Firstmanneeds a vacation.

The irreverent multihyphenate is struggling to come down after a prolific 2025: releasing comedy album "Secrets"; directing his first feature film, "Club Kid;" and appearing in Season 2 of FX's since-canceled "The English Teacher." Most notably, he's broken through as part of HBO's hustle culture comedy "I Love LA," which wraps its inaugural season Sunday (10:30 pm ET/PT).

"I'm in my work era. I feel very stimulated," Firstman, 34, says brightly during a sit-down early this month. "I definitely want to take a week off, and I need to figure out what the best use of my time is. Half of me wants to go to Korea and get a new face, and then the other half is like, 'I should sleep.' Two very 'I Love LA' problems!"

Jordan Firstman says 'I Love LA' is both 'modern' and 'confronting'

Created by Rachel Sennott, "I Love LA" follows an aspiring talent manager named Maia (Sennott) as she tries to wrangle her chaotic influencer bestie, Tallulah (Odessa A'zion). Firstman plays millennial stylist Charlie, who pals around with the girls when he's not contending with New Age pop stars or an ex-boyfriend's sex tapes.

Throughout his career, Firstman has been sent his share of scripts with "offensive, poorly written gay characters." But he's grateful that Sennott, a close friend, entrusted him with someone "complicated" like Charlie, who's forced to confront himself and what his priorities are.

"He has a major shield around him through his ability to be cutting and sarcastic and judgmental, and throughout the season, he sheds a bunch of layers," Firstman says. "His journey feels very spiritual to me."

Charlie (Jordan Firstman, left), Alani (True Whitaker) and Tallulah (Odessa A'zion) attend an influencer's funeral in the darkly satirical

Some critics have dismissed "I Love LA" as "vapid," "exhausting" and "self-indulgent" in its depiction of terminally online social climbers. Firstman notes there have been countless film and TV characters obsessed with money and status, many of whom didn't receive similar levels of vitriol.

"It's interesting the way people perceive ambition when it's filtered through women and gays (working) in what a lot of people think is this superficial industry," Firstman says. "But then they can watch shows like 'Succession,' which is about objectively way worse people. You see so many tales of ambition – like Timmy (Chalamet) playing ping-pong – and that's somehow more valid to them than getting a brand deal.

"Younger people are resonating with this show because they understand how hamster wheel the world feels right now," Firstman continues. "This is what we have to do to stay alive, whereas 10 years ago when 'Girls' came out, you could flounder more. We're fighting to pay rent, and everyone is just trying to chase something. That is why the show feels so modern to me, and there is going to be a knee-jerk reaction when something is so confronting."

He understands firsthand the pitfalls of internet stardom. During the 2020 COVID lockdown, he went viral with his hyper-specific impression videos that caught the attention of Ariana Grande and Katy Perry.

"It definitely felt a bit lonely, because it feels so big in the moment and then it's forgotten about so fast," Firstman recalls. "People are there like, 'We love you! You're our favorite person!' And then they're not there anymore."

Looking for something good to watch? Amid the deluge of television in 2025, here are the very best, starting with number 20: "Star Trek: Strange New Worlds" (Paramount+)