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| Frank Albanese |
Frank Albanese, Tony’s Uncle on The Sopranos, Dies at 84
Albanese, who played Tony Soprano’s uncle, retired mobster Pat Blundetto, in three episodes of
The Sopranos, died Monday in a Staten Island, N.Y. hospice. He was 84.
Albanese, who performed on stage, in films and on television, was a longshoreman and then a successful boxer before becoming an actor. He got a tiny speaking part in Martin Ritt’s 1968 Mafia film
The Brotherhood, which enabled him to join the Screen Actors Guild.
Albanese’s other credits included playing Paul Castellano in a reenactment on
America’s Most Wanted as well as appearances in two “Godfather” films and in Martin Scorsese’s
Goodfellas.
He also guested on the soaps
As the World Turns and
Loving and appeared in the 1969 film
Goodbye, Columbus, based on the Philip Roth novel.
Alison Sweeney: Why Nujeen Mustafa inspires us all
Sweeney wrote about her experience with Nujeen for CNN.
"Nujeen wanted to squeal about Sami and EJ, she wanted to tell me about her favorite scenes and how devastated she was when EJ died. She brushed aside the idea that she learned to read and write on her own because she wasn't allowed to go to school. She told me that I taught her to speak English. I apologized for all the curse words."
"I found out later she's been using her language skills to help others from her country communicate in the refugee camps. This incredibly bright girl, who had never been allowed a formal education in Syria, conquered the Internet in a matter of days upon arriving in Germany. She joined Twitter and posted a YouTube video in which she shared her reaction to our conversation and she used it as an opportunity to wish strength, courage and inspiration to others."
All My Children alum Cady McClain makes special birthday plans
McClain will spend her upcoming birthday in a meaningful way. "On October 13th at 9 a.m., I'm introducing the Los Angeles Mayor at City Hall in downtown LA for Domestic Violence Awareness Day, with a focus on elder abuse," she reports. "The police chief will also be present, as well as members of the Domestic Violence Task Force. The idea of the event is to honor those who work in the field and bring more awareness to the issue."
The Young and the Restless actress Kate Linder works on Garry Marshall's upcoming film, Mother's Day
Tweeted Linder: "So enjoyed working with #scottmarshall #garrymarshall #mothersdaymovie #atlanta #juliaroberts… https://instagram.com/p/8i4mEIHBW8/"
Jacob Young on trying to make an impact with the transgender story on The Bold and the Beautiful
"We are trying to make an impact and anything we can do to support it, would be great. Having Caitlyn Jenner or any other transgender model could help to enlighten people. When I started reading about transgender issues, the statistics were something like, three out of five transgender people commit suicide. I think the educational portion is so important. I’m so glad they [the writers] had the stones – as we call it daytime TV so often – to write something like this."
Robert Forster will play Twin Peaks sheriff, replacing Michael Ontkean
Ontkean opted not to reprise his role as Sheriff Harry S. Truman on the Showtime reboot, according to
TV Line. Replacing him as the town’s top lawman will be Forster. But it’s unclear if Forster will be playing Sheriff Truman, or a brand-new sheriff character.
John Stamos to be charged with driving under the influence of GHB
According to TMZ, the
General Hospital alum and
Grandfathered star, was using the so-called date rape drug as a fitness supplement when he was arrested while driving erratically in Beverly Hills in June.
FX renews Tyrant for Season 3
The 10-episode third season will run in 2016.
AMC on why the network renewed Halt and Catch Fire for Season 3, despite its low ratings
"We decided to stick with it primarily because we love the story, and we think it's a show that has a lot of life left in it,” says Joel Stillerman, AMC’s president of original programming and development. "These things are always complicated, and the ratings play a part, but they're far from the entire story. If we see something that we truly love, and we see the talent and the momentum behind it that give us the confidence to move forward, we're all in.”
Empire in a Winery? 5 Hot Trends of TV's Development Season
"Think
Empire …" That is how dozens of pitches for new TV shows have begun this development season. "You name it, we've probably heard it," jokes one network exec, who rattles off examples including a "Latina Empire" and "
Empire set at a winery." But the deluge of
Empire offshoots isn't the only theme to emerge this season, which is off to another late start as networks still are vying for several projects well into the fall.
Home Alone actor John Heard died on July 21 in Palo Alto, California, TMZ is reporting. The actor was found dead in his hotel room by the cleaning service, family sources said. The authorities came to the Palo Alto hotel after being called for a medical emergency, but Heard was pronounced dead on the scene. He was 72.
James Gandolfini has reportedly died while in Italy, according to Deadline.com.
The Writers Guild of America on Sunday unveiled its list of the 101 Best Written TV Series of All Time.
MILLIONAIRE MATCHMATER's Patti Stanger will appear on DAYS OF OUR LIVES in September. Too much television may shorten your life: Six hours of TV a day can cut life expectancy by nearly five years, research shows. MTV renews AWKWARD for second season. SMALLVILLE's Cassidy Freeman to recur on THE PLAYBOY CLUB. Morgan Fairchild to guest star on BONES. Dominic Chianese joins BOARDWALK EMPIRE. Taylor Momsen quits acting to become a full-time singer. Doug Hutchison's: 16-year-old bride dresses as Pamela Anderson.
Tom Aldredge, an Emmy-winning actor seen in everything from RYAN'S HOPE to THE SOPRANOS, died on Friday in Tampa, Fla. He was 83.