All stories by Pat Saperstein on BroadwayStars

Monday, May 11, 2026

Mark Smythe, Composer and Professor, Dies on Hiking Trail at 53 by Pat Saperstein

Mark Smythe, a New Zealand-born and L.A.-based composer, died Saturday after a medical emergency on the Mount Wilson hiking trail near Los Angeles. He was 53. The L.A. Coroner’s office rep…

SOURCE: Variety at 06:00PM[SHARE]
Monday, May 4, 2026

Met Gala 2026 Red Carpet Photos: The Best Celebrity Looks by Pat Saperstein

It’s one of fashion’s biggest nights as stars arrive for the 2026 Met Gala. This year’s theme is “Fashion is Art,” tied to the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Art exhibition…

SOURCE: Variety at 05:17PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, April 28, 2026

‘Leaving Neverland’ Director Torches ‘Michael’ and ‘Nasty’ Antoine Fuqua for Whitewashing Michael Jackson’s Alleged Abuse by Pat Saperstein

It is, to this day, the only film screening I’ve attended that was inspected by bomb-sniffing dogs. The premiere of “Leaving Neverland,” a documentary exploring Wade Robson and James S…

SOURCE: Variety at 06:40PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, April 22, 2026

How EcoSet Keeps Production Materials Out of the Landfill, While Letting Non-Profits Shop Its Warehouse for Free by Pat Saperstein

It’s been 15 years since the Producers Guild introduced its Green Production Guide, and yet convincing film and television productions to think about the life cycle of their sets and props…

SOURCE: Variety at 01:45PM[SHARE]
Monday, April 13, 2026

Nicole Kidman Says She's Learning to Be a Death Doula by Pat Saperstein

Nicole Kidman is ready to branch out beyond acting for her next chapter. During a talk at the University of San Francisco on Saturday, she revealed that she is training to be a death doula. …

SOURCE: Variety at 08:50PM[SHARE]

Sid Krofft, Producer and Creator of 'H.R. Pufnstuf,' 'Land of the Lost,' Dies at 96 by Pat Saperstein

Sid Krofft, who with his late brother Marty created and produced memorable kids shows "H.R. Pufnstuf" and "Land of the Lost" " as well as the 2009 feature based on the latter " died Friday i…

SOURCE: Variety at 12:13PM[SHARE]
Monday, April 6, 2026

'And Just Like That' Auction: Carrie's Furniture, Charlotte's Costumes, Che Diaz Script and Hot Fellas Onesies by Pat Saperstein

If you ever wanted a chance to snag some of the antique furniture Carrie Bradshaw bought for her Gramercy mansion or maybe Charlotte's adorable swimsuit, Julien's Auctions will be selling of…

SOURCE: Variety at 03:35PM[SHARE]
Friday, April 3, 2026

Blake Lively Rallies Support From WME After Justin Baldoni Suit Ravaged by Judge; Settlement Conferences Set for Monday by Pat Saperstein

Blake Lively is still preparing for a trial after a judge threw out her sexual harassment claims against Justin Baldoni on Thursday. Her agency, WME, which parted ways with Baldoni after the…

SOURCE: Variety at 08:07PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, March 31, 2026

Jessie Jones, Actress and Playwright, Dies at 75 by Pat Saperstein

Jessie Jones, a TV actress who became a succesful playwright with "Dearly Departed" and the Jones Hope Wooten Comedies, died March 20 in Washington, D.C. after a long illness. Her friend and…

SOURCE: Variety at 08:38PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, March 25, 2026

Fathom Entertainment CEO Ray Nutt to Retire; Search for Replacement Underway (EXCLUSIVE) by Pat Saperstein

Specialty distributor Fathom Entertainment announced Wednesday that CEO Ray Nutt plans to step down from the company and retire later this year. Nutt, an exhibition vet who has served as chi…

SOURCE: Variety at 05:09PM[SHARE]
Monday, March 23, 2026

Valerie Perrine, 'Superman' and Oscar-Nommed 'Lenny' Star, Dies at 82 by Pat Saperstein

Valerie Perrine, who was Oscar nominated for best actress for her performance in Bob Fosse's 1974 Lenny Bruce biopic "Lenny" and appeared prominently in Richard Donner's "Superman" films as …

SOURCE: Variety at 12:21PM[SHARE]
Sunday, March 22, 2026

Donald Trump Reposts 'SNL U.K.' Sketch in Which Keir Starmer Breaks Up With U.S. President Over Voice Note by Pat Saperstein

President Trump didn't seem to care that "Saturday Night Live U.K.'s" first-ever opening sketch was spoofing him, since he posted the segment on his Truth Social account Sunday morning with …

SOURCE: Variety at 01:34PM[SHARE]
Saturday, March 21, 2026

Director of Nicholas Brendon's Last Film Remembers 'Buffy' Star: 'This Loss Is a Gut Punch' by Pat Saperstein

The writer and director of the movie that was likely Nicholas Brendon's final starring film role is speaking out after the "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" star's death on Friday. Joston Ramon The…

SOURCE: Variety at 12:59PM[SHARE]
Thursday, March 19, 2026

Natasha Lyonne Posts Health Update Two Months After Relapse: 'Doing a Whole Lot Better and Back on Her Feet' by Pat Saperstein

Natasha Lyonne is thanking fans for their support after she revealed in January that she had relapsed and was no longer sober. "Proud to report this kid is doing a whole lot better and back …

SOURCE: Variety at 07:10PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, March 11, 2026

Celebrities Who Have Died in 2026 by Pat Saperstein

One a few months into the year, Hollywood has already said goodbye to numerous beloved names in film, television and music. "Schitt's Creek" star Catherine O'Hara died in January, and Februa…

SOURCE: Variety at 08:11PM[SHARE]
Saturday, March 7, 2026

Harry Styles Crashes Ryan Gosling's Alien-Filled 'Saturday Night Live' Opening Monologue by Pat Saperstein

Ryan Gosling became a "Saturday Night Live" four-timer on Saturday, joining the show as host ahead of the release of his upcoming sci-fi movie "Project Hail Mary." But just as his monologue …

SOURCE: Variety at 11:59PM[SHARE]
Monday, March 2, 2026

'Evil Dead' Actor Bruce Campbell Says He Has Cancer That's 'Treatable' but Not 'Curable': But 'I'm a Tough Old Son of a Bitch' by Pat Saperstein

"Evil Dead" star Bruce Campbell revealed Monday that he has been diagnosed with cancer, but he says that it is "treatable," if not curable. Campbell said work will have to take a back seat w…

SOURCE: Variety at 08:33PM[SHARE]
Thursday, February 26, 2026

CNN's Jake Tapper Breaks News of Paramount Buying Network's Parent Company WBD Live on Air: 'It Affects Everybody I'm Looking at Right Now in by Pat Saperstein

CNN's Jake Tapper wound up having to break some news on Thursday's "The Lead" that affects his own network. After a commercial break, the anchor came back on air and announced to viewers " a…

SOURCE: Variety at 09:21PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Martin Short's Daughter Katherine Short Dies at 42 by Pat Saperstein

Martin Short's daughter Katherine died Monday in Los Angeles. She was 42. She died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, law enforcement sources told TMZ. Police responded to her home in the Ho…

SOURCE: Variety at 03:57PM[SHARE]
Thursday, February 19, 2026

Eric Dane Remembered by 'Euphoria' Creator Sam Levinson: 'Being His Friend Was a Gift' by Pat Saperstein

"Euphoria" creator Sam Levinson is paying tribute to Eric Dane, who played Cal Jacobs on the HBO Max show. Dane died Thursday. "I'm heartbroken by the loss of our dear friend Eric. Working w…

SOURCE: Variety at 10:06PM[SHARE]
Thursday, February 12, 2026

Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Garner Pay Tribute to James Van Der Beek: 'Such a Generous Person' by Pat Saperstein

On the red carpet for AppleTV+ series "The Last Thing He Told Me" Thursday evening, Reese Witherspoon and Jennifer Garner both had memories of James Van Der Beek to share. Van Der Beek, who …

SOURCE: Variety at 11:59PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, February 11, 2026

Bud Cort, 'Harold and Maude' Star, Dies at 77 by Pat Saperstein

Bud Cort, who personified the role of Harold in the 1971 Hal Ashby classic "Harold and Maude," died Wednesday in Connecticut after a long illness. He was 77. Cort also starred in Robert Altm…

SOURCE: Variety at 02:15PM[SHARE]
Thursday, January 29, 2026

'Paralyzed by Hope: The Maria Bamford Story' Shares the Tears, Fears, Insights of a Unique Clown by Pat Saperstein

Stand-up comedy is best live " and often lived. Judd Apatow and comedy appreciator Neil Berkeley know this. In their admiring, at times achingly funny documentary "Paralyzed by Hope: The Mar…

SOURCE: Variety at 11:01PM[SHARE]

John Leguizamo, Eva Longoria and More Latino Creatives Call for 'Accountability and Equity in Casting' After Odessa A'zion 'Deep Cuts' Contr by Pat Saperstein

More than 100 Latino creatives have signed an open letter to Hollywood after widespread controversy broke out over Odessa A'zion's casting in the A24 adaptation "Deep Cuts" as the character …

SOURCE: Variety at 09:24PM[SHARE]

Nancy Seltzer, Veteran Publicist for Garth Brooks, Sean Connery and More, Dies at 79 by Pat Saperstein

Longtime public relations expert Nancy Seltzer, who worked with celebrity clients including Garth Brooks, the late Sean Connery and many more, died Wednesday in Los Angeles. She was 79. "Pub…

SOURCE: Variety at 06:31PM[SHARE]
Monday, January 26, 2026

Billie Eilish Concert Doc Release Pushed to May; James Cameron Says 'We're Dialing in Cool, New 3D Tech' by Pat Saperstein

James Cameron revealed on Monday that the release of the Billie Eilish 3D concert documentary "Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft," which he co-directed with Eilish, has been pushed two mor…

SOURCE: Variety at 01:10PM[SHARE]
Saturday, January 24, 2026

Olivia Wilde Wears 'ICE Out' Pin at Sundance and Says 'This Country Is Hurting. I'm Appalled and Sickened…People Are Being Murdered' by Pat Saperstein

Olivia Wilde is at the Sundance Film Festival with two movies, but like most everyone else this weekend, she's concerned with the devastating news that Alex Pretti, a 37-year old nurse, was …

SOURCE: Variety at 09:03PM[SHARE]
Friday, January 9, 2026

Timothy Busfield Faces Arrest Warrant for Child Sex Abuse Charges Involving Boy Actor by Pat Saperstein

Actor and director Timothy Busfield is facing two counts of sexual abuse involving a minor in New Mexico after an arrest warrant was issued on Friday. The investigation involves twin boys wh…

SOURCE: Variety at 08:46PM[SHARE]
Thursday, January 8, 2026

John Mulaney Postpones Minneapolis Shows After ICE Shooting: 'The Situation Is So Unsafe' by Pat Saperstein

Comedian John Mulaney has decided to postpone his shows in Minneapolis scheduled for this weekend in the light of Wednesday's shooting by an ICE officer. The city has seen large demonstratio…

SOURCE: Variety at 09:57PM[SHARE]
Monday, December 29, 2025

'Father Mother Sister Brother' Costume Designer on Jim Jarmusch's Red Theme and Why Saint Laurent Insisted on Making Everything " Even Tom Wai by Pat Saperstein

Jim Jarmusch's "Father Mother Sister Brother," now in theaters, is made up of three very different segments, each with a notable cast discussing the nature of their family relationships. One…

SOURCE: Variety at 01:24PM[SHARE]
Thursday, December 25, 2025

'Bridgerton' Season 4 Trailer Adds a Dash of 'Cinderella' to a Forbidden Romance by Pat Saperstein

"You simply must marry. You just haven't met the right young lady," Benedict Bridgerton's mother Violet admonishes him in the trailer for season 4 of Netflix's "Bridgerton." That situation m…

SOURCE: Variety at 03:24PM[SHARE]

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