Former ‘Rhoda’ star has terminal cancer
Valerie Harper, who played Rhoda Morgenstern on television’s “The Mary Tyler Moore Show” and its spinoff, “Rhoda,” has been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.
People magazine reported on its website Wednesday that the 73-year-old actress received the news on Jan. 15. Tests revealed she has leptomeningeal carcinomatosis, a rare condition that occurs when cancer cells spread into the fluid-filled membrane surrounding the brain. The report said Harper’s doctors have said she has as little as three months to live.
“I don’t think of dying,” Harper told the magazine in a cover interview. “I think of being here now.”
Harper’s character, Rhoda, was one of television’s most beloved characters during the 1970s. She won three consecutive Emmys (1971-’73) as supporting actress on “Mary” plus another for outstanding lead actress for “Rhoda,” which ran from 1974-’78.
Judge issues protection for ‘Pie’ star
A judge has ordered a New Hampshire man to refrain from posting anything online about Alyson Hannigan or to try to meet the actress.
Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Carol Boas Goodson issued a three-year restraining order against John Hobbs on Wednesday.
Hannigan stated in court filings last month that Hobbs has posted a barrage of threatening messages about her and her family online.
The filings state the 43-year-old acknowledged to police that he wanted to meet the 38-year-old star of “How I Met Your Mother” and “American Pie.”
Lucas seeks venue for his art collection
“Star Wars” creator George Lucas wants to build a museum dedicated to visual storytelling in San Francisco’s Presidio that would house an art collection he amassed over more than four decades.
The filmmaker wants to showcase his collection of 150 years of populist art, which includes illustrations by Norman Rockwell and Maxfield Parrish, comics and digital technology.
‘Skyfall’ director passes on Bond film
Never say never again? Sam Mendes said he won’t be directing the next James Bond film, but may work on the series again in the future.
Mendes wants to focus on other projects, including upcoming London stage productions of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” and “King Lear.”
The birthday bunch
TV personality Willard Scott is 79. Auto racer Janet Guthrie is 75. Actor Daniel J. Travanti is 73. Entertainment executive Michael Eisner is 71. Pro Football Hall-of-Famer Franco Harris is 63. Pro and College Football Hall-of-Famer Lynn Swann is 61. International Tennis Hall-of-Famer Ivan Lendl is 53. Singer-actress Taylor Dayne is 51. Actor TJ Thyne (TV: “Bones”) is 38.