J-Lo to finish ‘Unfinished Life’ later this year
Q: As a longtime Jennifer Lopez fan, I would like to know whatever happened to that movie she was supposed to make with Robert Redford? Also, is she joining “Will & Grace” as a regular? — Sharon S.
A: Representatives for Robert Redford say the film, “An Unfinished Life,” starring him, Lopez and Morgan Freeman, will begin shooting later this year. Also, she’ll star in two other new films, “Shall We Dance?” with Richard Gere, and “Monster-In-Law” with Jane Fonda.
Lopez is not joining “Will & Grace” as a regular. However, she will guest on the Sept. 16 season opener, reprising the role she played once before — namely, herself — as she returns from a summer tour with her backup dancer pal, Jack (Sean Hayes).
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Q: I was told by someone who has a contact at HBO that Bill Maher is planning to go into politics. I watch Maher’s show occasionally, but I’ve never heard him mention that. What have you heard?
Also, I know we’ve had actors in political office. (Evelyn’s note: the late President Ronald Reagan, of course, and more recently, former Senator Fred Thompson.) But have any of them been comedians? — R. McL.
A: Bill Maher told Larry King that he, too, had heard those rumors, but he has no such plans. He says he feels he can be more effective in calling peoples’ attention to their politicians rather than becoming one himself.
As for your second question, three that come to mind include Fred Grandy, who went from a berth on “The Love Boat” to a seat in the House of Representatives. Ditto the late Sonny Bono, who turned his fame as a comic actor into a successful run as a local politician before being elected to Congress. The third is the late George Murphy, who had a long run in comedy films (some of them with his longtime pal, Ronald Reagan) and later became a U.S. senator from California.
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Q: Has Calista Flockhart given up on films? If not, what’s happened to her? — J.L.
A: Calista Flockhart (“Ally McBeal” and “The Birdcage”) has been waiting for the right film to come along and, apparently, has found it: It’s called “Fragile.” Her role is that of a nurse in a children’s hospital. Her longtime interest in the welfare of children undoubtedly influenced her decision to make this movie.
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Q: Just wondering what Oprah Winfrey’s man does for a living? Thank you. — Opal W. (If I had a magazine I could also call it O as Oprah does hers.)
A: The man in Oprah’s life is Stedman Graham, a successful author and speaker.
Among his many books are “Build Your Own Life Brand!: A Powerful Strategy to Maximize Your Potential and Enhance Your Value for Ultimate Achievement” and “Move Without the Ball: Put Your Skills and Your Magic to Work for You.”
P.S. Sorry, Opal. You could have only called your magazine O if you had gotten to the copyright office before Oprah did.