‘Big Bang Theory’ cast earns big bucks
The studio that produces “The Big Bang Theory” said it has reached contract deals with the sitcom’s cast.
With negotiations concluded, the comedy will begin production today for the 2014-15 season, Warner Bros. Television said in a statement Tuesday.
Work on the eighth season reportedly had been delayed as the cast of TV’s top-rated sitcom held out for raises. Agreements have been reached with stars Jim Parsons, Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco for lucrative three-year contracts that trade reports put at about $1 million per episode for each actor. Deals are in place with the entire cast, which includes Simon Helberg and Kunal Nayyar, the studio said.
The CBS series returns Sept. 22.
Bullock top earner among actresses
Sandra Bullock’s stratospheric paycheck for the Oscar-winning sci-fi thriller “Gravity” has launched her to the top of Forbes’ list of top-earning actresses.
The 50-year-old actress made an estimated $51 million between June 2013 and June 2014, mostly from the Alfonso Cuaron-directed film, Forbes said. Bullock claimed the No. 7 spot last year.
“Gravity,” of course, was one of the biggest movies of 2013, grossing more than $716 million at the global box office and winning seven Oscars (on 10 nominations). Bullock, who was nominated for best actress but lost to Cate Blanchett (“Blue Jasmine”), had a lucrative profit-participation deal on the blockbuster hit.
Bullock’s impressive payday notwithstanding, she and her fellow actresses still trail Hollywood’s top-paid male actors: Robert Downey Jr. raked in $75 million in the same period, and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson earned $52 million.
Bullock is followed on the Forbes actress list by “Hunger Games” star Jennifer Lawrence ($34 million), “We’re the Millers” star Jennifer Aniston ($31 million), “Iron Man 3” star Gwyneth Paltrow ($19 million), “Maleficent” star Angelina Jolie ($18 million) and “The Other Woman” star Cameron Diaz ($18 million).
Miami judge postpones Bieber hearing
A Miami-Dade County judge has postponed a hearing to determine whether Justin Bieber will be tried on charges of driving under the influence and resisting arrest.
The judge on Tuesday postponed the hearing until Aug. 13 at the request of prosecutors and Bieber’s attorney.
Bieber was arrested Jan. 23 in Miami Beach after what police described as an illegal street race between Bieber and a friend.
Alcohol breath tests found Bieber’s level below the 0.02 limit for underage drivers, but urine tests showed the presence of marijuana and an anti-anxiety drug. Bieber also was charged with driving on an expired license.
The birthday bunch
Actor-director Peter Bonerz is 76. Actress Louise Sorel is 74. Actor Dorian Harewood is 64. Actress Catherine Hicks is 63. Actress Faith Prince is 57. Actor Leland Orser is 54. Country singers Patsy and Peggy Lynn are 50. Movie writer-director M. Night Shyamalan is 44. Actress Vera Farmiga is 41.