Berry, Martinez divorcing after two years
Halle Berry and actor Olivier Martinez are ending their two-year marriage and say they want to proceed with the best interests of their young son in mind.
The actors released a joint statement announcing the divorce on Tuesday, a day after Berry filed a divorce petition under a pseudonym. Martinez filed his own petition on Tuesday, and both cited irreconcilable differences for the breakup.
Both actors are open to joint custody, and Berry’s filing repeatedly requests that a judge enter orders that are “in the best interest” of their 2-year-old son.
Berry and Martinez met while making the 2012 film “Dark Tide.” They married in July 2013.
Berry won a best actress Academy Award in 2002 for “Monster’s Ball.” She has been married twice previously and has a 7-year-old daughter from her relationship with model Gabriel Aubry.
Lucas gives to USC scholarship fund
The Force must be strong with USC.
The school announced Tuesday that the George Lucas Family Foundation is donating $10 million to its film school to provide financial support to black and Hispanic students.
The money will be used to establish the George Lucas Foundation Endowed Student Support Fund for Diversity.
Students will receive the first awards next fall.
The endowment is the largest single donation for student support in school history.
Lucas, a USC graduate, donated some $175 million to the school in 2006, including millions to rebuild its film school.
Queen of Soul sued over condo fees
Aretha Franklin is being sued over unpaid homeowner fees at a condominium in suburban Detroit.
Hills of Lone Pine Association says it’s owed more than $11,500. The Detroit News reported that the association has filed a lawsuit to try to foreclose on the Queen of Soul’s property in the gated community in Bloomfield Hills. The lawsuit names Franklin and two companies that hold mortgages on the $700,000 condo.
Franklin told the newspaper that she owns the condo but doesn’t live there. She said believes she’s been “overcharged for years” and has paid only what’s “credible and legitimate.” She said her attorney is working on the dispute.
The birthday bunch
Jazz singer Cleo Laine is 88. Musician-songwriter Charlie Daniels is 79. Actress Jane Alexander is 76. Actor Dennis Franz is 71. Olympic track and field gold medalist Caitlyn Jenner is 66. Actress Annie Potts is 63. Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates is 60. Actress Lauren Holly is 52. Actor-comedian Andy Richter is 49. Actress Julia Roberts is 48. Singer Ben Harper is 46. Country singer Brad Paisley is 43. Actor Joaquin Phoenix is 41. Pop singer Brett Dennen is 36. Singer/rapper Frank Ocean is 28.