Jac Venza Dies: Producer Who Transformed Public Television Was 97

Quebec filmmaker Érik Canuel, best known for the cult black comedy Bon Cop, Bad Cop, has died. He was 63 years old.

Willie Mays, “The Say Hey Kid,” who was among the greatest baseball players of all time, won two MVPs, was a 24-time All-Star and made one of the greatest catches in the game’s history, died Tuesday afternoon at 93, the San Francisco Giants announced.

Jonathan Axelrod, prolific studio and network executive, television producer and writer (Dave’s World, Can’t Hurry Love, Garage Sale Mysteries…), and son of the late George Axelrod (Breakfast at Tiffany’s, The Manchurian Candidate, The Seven Year Itch…), died in his sleep on June 13 in Los Angeles. His death was confirmed to Deadline by his ex-wife, television director/producer Katy Garretson. He was 74. 

Angelique Jackson Denzel Washington is one of the most prolific Black actors of all time. But the two-time Oscar-winning actor, director, producer and humanitarian is also a proud husband and father — a point that was well made during his career retrospective conversation at the American Black Film Festival (ABFF) on June 15.Denzel Washington’s latest producorial effort, the Netflix film adaptation of August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson,” sees him working with members of his family, including his sons Malcolm Washington, who co-wrote and directed the film, and John David Washington, who stars.“After about two weeks [on set], I went home. I was like, there’s really nothing for me to do here, I’m just in the way,” Denzel Washington said of watching his son Malcolm Washington work.

EXCLUSIVE: “This is purely strategic,” exclaims Why Not Me? host and La La Land executive producer Mike Jackson of having John Legend as the first guest on his new podcast series. “There’s a method to the madness.”

Jack Black has received abuse from Donald Trump supporters after endorsing Joe Biden for the 2024 presidential election.The actor shared his support for the incumbent president during a Hollywood fundraiser over the weekend, the star speaking on stage after being asked by hosts Julia Roberts and George Clooney to take part.“A few days ago, my manager called me and said George Clooney and Julia Roberts wanted me to help out the president and speak here tonight,” he explained to the audience. “And I said, ‘I am in – when and where?’“And then they said, ‘Jack, we know how busy you are, you don’t have time! Look at all the other events that are happening tonight that you already turned down,'” he joked.

cleared to descend on the infamous property north of Santa Ynez, Calif., for the shoot in April, according to film permit activity reviewed by SF Gate. “Dialogue, petting zoom, stunt” and the use of helicopters were given the green light.Jackson’s nephew Jaafar Jackson plays the late King of Pop in Antoine Fuqua’s “Michael,” slated for release in April 2025.The property has been associated with lurid claims against Jackson, who died at age 50 in 2009 from an acute drug overdose.Jackson faced 14 charges including seven counts of child molestation and two counts of giving alcohol to a minor in a child sex abuse probe, but was acquitted of all charges in June 2005.

Leo Barraclough International Features Editor Prince Albert II of Monaco opened the 63rd Monte-Carlo Television Festival Friday, accompanied by a panoply of stars led by Morgan Freeman, “SEAL Team’s” David Boreanaz and “Bridgerton’s” Simone Ashley. The opening ceremony took place under stormy skies at the Grimaldi Forum, where the world premiere of limited series “The Gray House” opened the event.

Ron Simons, who had a busy if low-key TV acting career before making his greatest impact producing such acclaimed Broadway plays as Thoughts of a Colored Man (2021) and the 2022 revival of for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf, died Wednesday. The four-time Tony Award winner was 63.

Tony Lo Bianco, who played the key role of Sal Boca in Best Picture Oscar winner The French Connection and appeared in more than 100 films and TV shows during a 60-year screen career, died Tuesday of prostate cancer at his home in Maryland. He was 87.

Bridgerton.The actor plays Penelope Featherington on the Netflix period romantic drama, and in a new interview with People, she has responded to certain social media speculation about her appearance on the show.“I think if you wear corsetry for long enough, your body really moulds to it,” she said about the costumes that she wears on the show’s sets. “Sometimes they come in a fitting for a fashion designer and they put a corset on me and I’m like, ‘Oh, you can go tight,’ and they go, ‘What do you mean?’ I’m like, ‘My body now will go whew.’”“I saw some trolls,” she continued.

Japanese animator and director Kenji Kamiyama made his Annecy debut in the company of Andy Serkis on Tuesday with a 20-minute preview of upcoming anime feature The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.

Trigger warning: this article contains mention of suicide and other disturbing topics.

Chanel brought together a star-studded crowd from the annual luncheon to celebrate Through Her Lens: The Tribeca CHANEL Women’s Filmmaker Program.

interview with People published Thursday, the former “Today” host said she was told she wasn’t pretty enough to star in the TV series “Charlie’s Angels,” which aired for five seasons on ABC from 1976 to 1981. “She goes, ‘Let me tell you right now, you’re not right for Charlie’s Angels,'” Gifford recalled about her meeting with the casting agent. When Gifford asked why, the agent replied, “Because we’re looking for a pretty girl.

EXCLUSIVE: Amazon MGM Studios has begun development on a Untitled Kenny Washington film about the triumphs and hardships of the first Black NFL player leading up to his professional debut with the Los Angeles Rams. La Monte Edwards is penning the script. Adam Scott Epstein  will produce through his Comet Company banner, Cottrell B. Guidry producing through his Stay Cool Productions Banner and Evan Silverberg, Darin Friedman and Guymon Casady producing through Entertainment 360. Ryan Rottman, Nate Raabe and New York Jets quarterback Aaron Rodgers exec producing through their Awkward Handshake production company.

William Russell, one of the earliest companions in BBC sci-fi series Doctor Who, has died aged 99. He passed away on June 3.

If anyone is going to profit from the Gypsy Rose Blanchard, it’s going to be her! That’s why she’s slammed a true crime influencer with a HEFTY lawsuit!

Martin Starger, a producer for such films as Robert Altman’s Nashville and Peter Bogdanovich’s Mask, died Friday at 92 in his Los Angeles home of natural causes. His death was confirmed by his niece, casting director Ilene Starger.

Robert Pattinson became a household name for his portrayal of Edward Cullen in the Twilight movies. However, he almost wasn’t cast over concerns he wasn’t attractive enough for the part.