Angus T. Jones Won't Be Regular on Two and a Half Men, Wants to Focus on Music Instead

When CBS's hit sitcom Two and a Half Men returns this fall, the show will be half a man down. CBS announced Friday, Apr. 26, that though the show -- and actors Jon Cryer and Ashton Kutcher -- will be returning for an 11th season, child star Angus T. Jones will not be signing on as a regular cast member.

Jones, 19, could reportedly return to the series periodically as a recurring character, however, Deadline.com reports. Both Kutcher and Cryer have signed on for one-year contracts for the series.

Angus T. Jones will not be returning to Two and a Half Men as a regular cast member this fall.
Credit: Courtesy CBS /Landov

A source tells Us that one of the reasons Jones will not be returning is because his interests now lie elsewhere: Music.

"They tried really hard to keep him, but he was just done done," the source said, adding that the young actor is interested in "Skrillex style" tracks specifically.

Jones made headlines in November 2012 when he released a YouTube video slamming Men and calling the show "filth," asking viewers to "please stop watching." Shortly after the video went viral on the Internet, Jones came forward to apologize for his harsh words, offering a mea culpa to the cast and crew.

The actor apologized for "showing indifference and disrespect of my colleagues and a lack of appreciation of the extraordinary opportunity of which I have been blessed."

In January 2013, CBS entertainment chief Nina Tassler told reporters that she accepted the apology and was looking forward to having Jones back on the show. "The kid is 19 years old. I've got a 24-year-old," she said. "Between the ages of 19 and 24, there's been plenty of things my kid has said that I wish he hadn't. The bottom line is that cooler heads prevailed."

Ryan Seacrest, Julianne Hough Split: "It Just Got to Be Too Much"

Ryan Seacrest and Julianne Hough have decided to pull the plug on their relationship after more than two years of dating, sources confirm to Us .

And the notoriously busy Hollywood pair, who began dating in 2010, may have their packed schedules to blame.

Julianne Hough and Ryan Seacrest attend the "Rock Of Ages" Los Angeles premiere after party held at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on June 8, 2012 in Hollywood, California.
Credit: Lester Cohen/WireImage.com

"Honestly, their schedules were too hectic," a source tells Us. "It just got to be too much. I think they both just sort of knew they couldn't do it anymore. The travel and lifestyle got to be too much. Who knows if this is just for now, but I think this is for good."

In addition to hosting American Idol, Seacrest, 38, is also a radio host for his own show, On Air With Ryan Seacrest, as well as a red carpet host.

His 24-year-old love is similarly busy, promoting her latest flick Safe Haven, opposite Josh Duhamel, out in theaters just last month. She and brother Derek Hough, 27, are also currently collaborating on a Starz scripted drama about ballroom dance, titled Blackpool.

Last month, the former Dancing With the Stars pro dancer revealed that her Valentine's Day plans with Seacrest were going to be last-minute.

"I know there are plans, but I don't know what they are yet," she told Us in February. "I think I might be traveling. I'm not sure where. That's up to my boyfriend!"

Lil Wayne in Critical Condition After More Seizures: "Everyone Is Praying For Him"

Lil Wayne is currently in critical condition at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles following a series of seizures earlier this week, a source tells Us.

Conflicting reports about the status of the rapper's shaky health surfaced on Friday, March 15.

Lil Wayne arrives at the Macy's Beverly Center to celebrate the launch of his contemporary streetwear line Trukfit on June 1, 2012 in Los Angeles, California.
Credit: Araya Diaz/WireImage.com

TMZ earlier reported that the "Tap Out" rapper was put into an induced coma after his condition was determined to be unstable. According to the site, the seizures were so severe this time that the rapper reportedly had to be put in restraints because he was shaking uncontrollably.

A source tells Us that Lil Wayne's condition is being wildly exaggerated, however. A tweet from the "Got Money" rapper's Twitter account Friday evening seemed to support that fact.

"I'm good everybody," the message read. "Thx for the prayers and love."

"Wayne is doing well," a rep for the rapper tells Us. "We appreciate your concern."

According to TMZ, Lil Wayne's mother is currently on a plane on her way to her son's bedside, and all further decisions about his health will be held until her arrival.

"His family is there," another source confirmed to Us. "Everyone is praying for him."

Cash Money president Mack Maine, meanwhile, took to Twitter himself to reassure concerned fans that Weezy was okay.



"Wayne is alive and well!" he wrote. "We watching the Syracuse game … thanks for the prayers and concern."

Lil Wayne, real name Dwayne Michael Carter, Jr., was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday, March 13 after one of his bodyguards found him unconscious on the floor of his room the same day he was released from the hospital following multiple seizures on Tuesday, March 12.

Steven Tyler Calls Taylor Swift "Hot," Says He Wants to "Write a Song With Her"

Taylor Swift, meet your next rock star beau: Steven Tyler! The Aerosmith frontman told Us on March 10 at the John Varvatos 10th Annual Stuart House Benefit in West Hollywood that he thought the "We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together" singer was "hot."

The former American Idol judge also talked about missing working on the FOX show. "I always wanted to see what the other mountains looked like…. TV is a whole other animal, and it was good. I miss J.Lo a lot and Randy [Jackson] on and off." Three celebrity judges have since replaced Tyler and Jennifer Lopez: Keith Urban and dueling divas Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj.

Tyler served as a judge on the show for Seasons 10 and 11 but decided to leave to return to his first love — music. "It feels good to be back with my band again. It feels really good," he told Us.

Joe Francis' Luxurious Mexican Resort Casa Aramara Available to Rent

Two tickets to paradise, please! Joe Francis' super-exclusive Mexican resort has been the vacation destination of choice for Hollywood's rich-and-famous -- and now Francis is opening the doors of Casa Aramara to other clientele, too.

Joe Francis attends the Beekman Beer Garden Beach Club grand opening party on June 7, 2011 in New York City.
Credit: Dave Kotinsky/Getty

On Friday, March 8, the Girls Gone Wild entrepreneur announced that he had decided to make his Punta Mita estate available to rent. Previously, the 40,000-square-foot property was accessible only to those who had been personally invited by Francis himself.


"Casa Aramara is one of the most luxurious private resort properties in the world, and I'm thrilled to announce that this incredible, one-of-a-kind destination is now available for the few discriminating people who only want the finest life has to offer," Francis tells Us Weekly exclusively.

Casa Aramara
Credit: Courtesy of Casa Aramara

Guests at the resort will have access to a wide variety of activities and amenities, including private spa treatments, whale watching, scuba diving, 24-hour butler service, and personal training. There are also two five-star chefs on the premises to prepare meals.

Casa Aramara
Credit: Courtesy of Casa Aramara

In the past, the sprawling seaside retreat has been a getaway for stars including Jennifer Aniston, Eva Longoria, Demi Moore, and the Kardashian family. Earlier this year, Kourtney Kardashian took boyfriend Scott Disick and their two kids to Casa Aramara, where she was photographed showing off her post-baby bikini body on the beach and by the pool. And last December, Extra host Mario Lopez used the property as the site for his wedding to Courtney Mazza.

Justin Bieber Thanks Fans for Support, Inspiration After Club Confrontation Leads to His "Worst Birthday"

Justin Bieber gets by with a little help from his friends -- and his fans. After the "Nothing Like Us" singer posted on Twitter about what he called his "worst birthday," Beliebers all over the globe rallied to turn things around. And it looks like it worked.

Justin Bieber is seen leaving his hotel in Central London on Saturday March 2nd.
Credit: PA Photos/Landov

On Saturday, March 2, the 19-year-old heartthrob returned to the micro-blogging site to express his appreciation for all the sweet messages from fans. "I see and saw all the posts from around the world," he wrote. "U got me smiling. Love u. Thank u."

Bieber then proceeded to retweet several of the kind shout-outs, along with a quote from his manager, Scooter Braun: "Life is a roller coaster. Just know when u dip low it is only to build excitement as u will fly high again. Enjoy the journey."



March 1 was certainly a low for the pop star. He and some of his pals -- including Will Smith's son Jaden Smith -- were celebrating his birthday in London when the party was cut short by security at Cirque du Soir, who told Bieber's team that Smith, 14, wasn't old enough to be at the club.

"There was never any mention of Jaden being there, so when he showed up, it caused problems," a source told Us of the confrontation. "They could have stayed if Jaden left, but Justin wanted to be loyal to his good friend."

Jesse Tyler Ferguson Reveals Wedding Details With Justin Mikita

Jesse Tyler Ferguson is no groom-zilla, but the Modern Family star admits plotting his nuptials with husband-to-be Justin Mikita is a daunting task. "It's been a little stressful," the redheaded actor, 37, told Us Weekly Wednesday at the Tie the Knot Spring Collection bash, held at Avenue in NYC. After dating for nearly two years, Ferguson proposed to fellow actor Mikita, 27, in Mexico back in September.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Justin Mikita
Credit: Desiree Navarro/WireImage.com

Working with a wedding planner, the twosome are looking ahead to a summertime wedding, Ferguson told Us -- based in the Big Apple. "We wanted to get married in New York, because that's where it's legal, so we want to support the state that's in support of us," the Emmy nominee explained.

The vows and bash will take place in a "beautiful loft space," he added. "It's so nice -- I can't wait to see it all done." The guest list is "around the 200 mark -- which to me seems big -- but people are telling me it's not that bad."

One wedding tradition the couple aren't partaking in: A wedding party. "We aren't doing that," he said at the TieTheKnot bash. (The future spouses co-designed a "TieTheKnot" bowtie collection, with all proceeds going towards groups focused on LGBT rights.)

"He means a lot to me," Ferguson said of his man. "So it's really special."

Mary O'Connor, Hugh Hefner's Longtime Playboy Secretary, Dies

Heavy hearts are aplenty at the Playboy Mansion today. Hugh Hefner's longtime secretary Mary O'Connor has died, the Playboy boss announced via Twitter on Sunday, Jan. 27.

"Mary passed away today. We loved her more than words can say," the Hef tweeted to his nearly 1,300,000 followers. O'Connor, who worked with Hefner for more than 40 years, was a familiar face to fans of E!'s hit show The Girls Next Door.

Hugh Hefner; Mary O'Connor (inset)
Credit: Michael Buckner/Getty; E! (inset)

The three former stars -- and Hefner's then-girlfriends -- all similarly took to Twitter to share their condolences for the Playboy mansion's loss.

"RIP Mary O'Connor. She was an amazing person who helped me through so much," Kendra Wilkinson-Baskett posted. "But I know she's happy with her boo Captain Bob. :)"

"Thank you for all the sweet messages," Bridget Marquardt wrote. "Mary O'Connor will be missed. #RIPMary."

Holly Madison kept her sentiments succinct: "Rest In Peace Mary."

Hefner, 86, has previously credited O'Connor with helping to orchestrate his reunion with wife Crystal Harris, 26, after the two famously called off their engagement in June 2011. The couple married in a private ceremony this past New Year's Eve.

"It's Mary O'Conner that brought Crystal Harris back," Hefner tweeted on June 1, 2012, after the pair reconciled. "Crystal was miserable & said so. Mary told Crystal to write & tell me, which she did."

Harris also expressed her sadness over O'Connor's death Sunday.

"Hef's long time secretary & my dear friend Mary O'Connor has passed away," she wrote. "It's a very sad day here at the Playboy Mansion. We love you Mary."

Ashton Kutcher Was Hospitalized After Adopting "Fruitarian Diet" for Steve Jobs Movie

Ashton Kutcher definitely suffered for his art. To realistically channel the late Apple Inc. founder Steve Jobs in biopic jOBS, the actor, 34, went to extreme lengths: Watching "hundreds of hours" of footage, scouring the visionary's speeches, interviewing Jobs' friends . . . and even copying his "fruitarian diet," Kutcher told the Associated Press at the Sundance Film Festival premiere of the film in Park City, Utah on Friday Jan. 25.

Ashton Kutcher during the CBS portion of the 2012 Television Critics Association Press Tour.
Credit: Frederick M. Brown/Getty Images

The choice to go "fruitarian" -- consuming only fruits, nuts and seeds and no animal products, vegetables or grains -- "can lead to some serious problems," Kutcher revealed. Indeed, as a result, Kutcher "ended up in the hospital two days before we started shooting the movie," he said.

"I was like doubled over in pain, and my pancreas levels were completely out of whack, which was completely terrifying, considering everything," said the That 70s Show alum. (Jobs died in October 2011 at age 56 of pancreatic cancer.)

The pain was worth it, Kutcher (a tech entrepreneur himself) insisted to Us Weekly at Friday's red carpet, which he attended without love Mila Kunis. Not that he isn't a little nervous about the reception to the film: "It's portraying a guy who just passed away that is really fresh in people's minds ,that people are really passionate about, and care about, and have an opinion about -- that's really scary," he confessed. "Especially portraying a guy that I really admire . . . it's terrifying, it's terrifying!"

Kim Kardashian Gets $65,000 in Jewelry from Kanye West, Reveals Stunning Pregnancy Curves on Cartier Shopping Trip

Just imagine what her push present might be! Kanye West indulged pregnant girlfriend Kim Kardashian with some considerable bling during a recent shopping spree at the Cartier store in Paris. "The Don strikes again!!!" the reality starlet, 32, wrote beside an Instagram snapshot, in which her wrist is adorned with five eye-popping gold bracelets from the luxe, iconic jeweler.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West are shopping at the stores 'Hermes', 'Cartier', 'Lanvin' and 'Ermmano Scervino', in Paris, France, on January 25 2013.
Credit: RAMEY PHOTO

ETOnline reports that the baubles include the Cartier Panthere Bracelet (embedded with diamonds), a yellow gold Cartier Love Bracelet with diamonds ($9,400), and the Cartier Juste un Clou, said to cost $34,650, plus two animal print bracelets -- with an estimated total of $65,000.

Credit: Kim Kardashian/Instagram

Kardashian and the rapper, 35, were photographed during their extravagant trip outside the famed boutique -- sweetly holding hands and smiling outside the store. "So sex & the city!" Kardashian wrote of the pic, in which she looks more radiant than ever, showcasing her evolving pregnancy curves in a dramatic white dress (embellished with feathers) and a white blazer.

Kim Kardashian and Kanye West went shopping together at Cartier in Paris, France on January 25, 2013.
Credit: FameFlynet

The only thing cramping this pregnant star's style? Wicked insomnia! "Why can't I ever sleep?" the frequently jet-lagged star Tweeted Friday. "Honestly can't believe I still haven't been to sleep since I woke up at 2am, and now its 2pm. I'm going to bed!"

Michelle Obama's Inaugural Ball Dress: All the Details

Wu for the win! For her second-term inaugural ball, First Lady Michelle Obama went back to an old favorite: Jason Wu, the designer whose one-shouldered white gown she wore to the first inauguration celebration back in 2009. This time around, the 49-year-old wore a stunning new creation by Wu, a custom ruby chiffon and velvet gown, as she danced with her husband, President Barack Obama, sworn in earlier on Monday, Jan. 21, in front of the U.S. Capitol.

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama wave after dancing during the Commander-In-Chief's Inaugural Ball January 21, 2013 in Washington, DC.
Credit: Joe Raedle/Getty

The FLOTUS -- who debuted her new bangs last week -- accessorized her bold gown with a handmade diamond embellished ring by Kimberly McDonald, and shoes designed by Jimmy Choo.

Michelle joined the President, clad in a tux, for their first dance: This time, it was Al Green's classic "Let's Stay Together," as sung by Jennifer Hudson. Ahead of Monday's very special dance, the President told a crowd he most definitely approves of his wife's talked-about hair switchup."First of all, I love Michelle Obama," he began. "And to address the most significant event of this weekend, I love her bangs. . . She looks good. She always looks good."

Tell Us: What do you think of Michelle's inauguration gown?

The Bachelor Episode 3 Recap: Lesley M. Breaks World Record For Longest On-Screen Kiss While Tierra Nearly Breaks Her Neck

Houston native Robyn said it best -- and most bluntly -- at the beginning of this week's drama-filled episode of The Bachelor when she joked that she couldn't wait for "the note that reads 'Robyn, let's ditch these b-tches and fall in love for real.'"

Lesley M. kisses Sean Lowe on ABC's The Bachelor.
Credit: ABC/RICK ROWELL

Because judging by the increasingly aggressive behavior of the remaining 16 ladies on this season, she's not the only one who feels that way.

It's only three weeks into this drama-filled, tear-ridden "journey," and poor Shirtless Sean is already feeling the pressures of "diggin' a lot of women" at once. The earnest entrepreneur -- who kicks off the episode with a few sweaty bicep curls and some gratuitous treadmill jogging for the cameras -- will tackle three dates this week: two one-on-one dates and a group date.

First up is political consultant Lesley M., whose sexy cowboy getup and subtle smooching from last week clearly left Sean wanting more. So much more, in fact, that the 29-year-old bachelor manages to finagle some more lip-locking time with her -- 3 minutes and 16 seconds of it, to be exact.

But before the pair can get do the (kissing) deed, Sean first takes Lesley to the dismal-looking Guinness World Records museum on Hollywood Boulevard, where she pretends to ooh and ahh at displays like the "world's smallest woman" and "dude eating a bike wheel."

Not exactly the most romantic of locales, but Lesley seems game enough, and actually genuinely impressed when Sean points out a photo of his dad setting the world record for shortest amount of time spent driving continuously through 48 states (97 hours and 47 minutes, for those keeping track at home).

But tour time comes to a close when Chris Harrison gleefully emerges and announces the real point of the date: the two lovers will lock lips for 3 minutes and 16 seconds to break the world record for world’s longest on-screen kiss.

And with the timer ticking away painfully slowly on the screen and a crowd of gawkers crowding around on Hollywood Boulevard, they kiss … and kiss … and giggle … and kiss some more until they finally best the record and confetti explodes around them. Romance, indeed!

That night, the pair sit down to chat about their lives and families -- an easier feat now that their faces aren’t glued to one another anymore.

"You just make me nervous," she tells the red-faced bachelor, filling in awkward pauses with random banter. Finally, though, girl finally takes the hint, goes silent and leans in for the kiss. And, naturally, gets the rose.

The Bachelor, airing January 21, 2013.
Credit: ABC/MATT BROWN

Meanwhile, back at the Bachelor mansion, the remaining 15 girls are anxiously awaiting their date cards. Ding dong! AshLee dashes to grab the card and read off the names for the group date: Kacie, Robyn, Leslie H., Kristy, Catherine, Desiree, Taryn, Amanda, Lindsay, Daniella, Jackie and Tierra are summoned.

The next day, the 12 gals pile into cars to head to the beach, where they strip down to their bikinis and toss a football around self-consciously until Chris Harrison once again makes his big bad appearance (sans champagne flute) and lays out the day's challenge. The girls will be split into two teams, he says, and will play a round of beach volleyball to vie for Sean's time -- and ultimately, his heart.

"I'm so bad at volleyball!" Daniella whines as the teams are created. She, Taryn, Leslie, Catherine, Kristy and Tierra form the red team, while Lindsay, Jackie, Robyn, Amanda, Kacie and Desiree comprise the blue team.

What follows is a whole lot of girls and abs and sand and surf and bikinis -- and Shirtless Sean standing by helplessly feeling nervous for the losing team but secretly enjoying the role reversal of the ladies vying for his attention.

After what looks to be several hours of emotional, angry volleyball-playing, the blue team wins, and the red team is forced to hang their collective heads and tromp home to the mansion. There may have even be a few tears and a fair amount of pouting. The ladies on the winning team, however, are ecstatic to spend more time with Sean and each snatches him away to say her piece with the bachelor later that evening.

But it's returning contestant Kacie B. who makes the strongest impression on Sean that night -- and not necessarily in a good way. After the tension between Desiree and Amanda starts to heat up, Kacie decides to use their friction to her advantage -- by tattling to Sean. The only problem is, however, that Sean seems to be more turned off by her chatter than he is sympathetic.

"Why are you involving yourself in that?" he asks incredulously as Kacie tries to tell him how the girls' conflict is making her "not herself." "I want you to act like Kacie, not like this crazy person I'm seeing."

No rose for Kacie, then. Substitute teacher Lindsay instead gets the flower for the night.

Unfortunately for Sean, however, the drama is far from over. The following day, Shirtless Sean arrives (covered, in a pink shirt this time) at the mansion to pick up AshLee for their one-on-one date and instead finds Tierra sprawled on the stairs. Having had "several concussions" himself before, he does what any self-respecting gentleman would do and calls the ambulance -- only problem being that Tierra, hungry for attention but dubiously hurt, refuses to be taken to the hospital.

In the end, the "accident" draws nothing but angry murmurs among the girls and a delayed first date for poor AshLee, who waits patiently inside the house as Tierra snags some more alone time with Sean. Eventually, though AshLee and Sean get on their way, driving out to Six Flags Magic Mountain, where the entire theme park has been shut down for the two of them -- and two very special young guests.

Sean introduces AshLee to Emily and Brianna, two best friends who suffer from mitochondrial diseases, and who are meeting for the first time through the Starlight Children's Foundation. The foursome spend the day together riding roller coasters and dressing up for a western-inspired photo shoot (Sean clearly had a hand in the plans for this date), and AshLee is won over by Sean's "caring heart."

The pair dance to Sean's favorite band, the Eli Young Band, and seal the night on a more serious note, talking about AshLee's difficult childhood. Even big bad Sean gets teary-eyed at her heartfelt story.

"It felt good to tell somebody I'm falling in love with all my insecurities," the personal organizer says during her confessional. "I never thought I'd believe in this." Sean's making believers out of non-believers! He's just that good.

At the cocktail party the next night, the mood is a little different, a bit tenser. Aside from Sarah, who gets a surprise chance to catch up with her French bulldog Leo, the other women take to lurking around Sean and stealing him away for conversations throughout the evening like a maddening game of reverse hot potato.

Kacie in particular tries to get a little bit of time with the bachelor to apologize for her gossipy behavior and to right their relationship once more, but even she and her spray-tanned legs can't keep Sean away from the other women, resulting in one of the more awkward/human moments in Bachelor history, depending upon how you look at it.

At the rose ceremony, Sean looks a bit preoccupied before he asks to speak to Kacie alone. Ultimately, he tells her, he respects her too much to put her through an entire rose ceremony. And so, with a hug and a gentle push, he sends her home before returning to the rose ceremony.

Tierra, Leslie H., Catherine, Daniella, Robyn, Selma, Sarah, Jackie, Amanda and Desiree get roses, while model Kristy and fitness coordinator Taryn get the boot. Both Leslie M. and AshLee are safe through next week as well. The more of the story? Don't tattle on the other women.

"I really wanted this to work," Kacie tells the cameras as her car peels away from the mansion. "Last time I left here with no regrets. This time, there are regrets that I have and that's something I'll have to live with."

"I have a great life," she continues tearfully. "And hopefully I can find somebody who can join me in that. It's just not Sean right now."

Jennifer Lopez, Casper Smart Adopt Puppy Together

Jennifer Lopez is expanding her family with boyfriend Casper Smart! The couple of more than a year recently adopted a puppy together -- a little brown boxer they named "Bear."

Casper Smart and Jennifer Lopez attend the 2012 Vanity Fair Oscar Party.
Credit: Jeff Vespa/VF12/WireImage

Smart, 25, tweeted the news on Thursday, Jan. 17. "Introducing the new addition to the family..." he wrote alongside a picture of the pooch. "Welcome home."

Lopez, already a mom to 4-year-old twins Max and Emme, her kids with ex-husband Marc Anthony, retweeted her beau's announcement, with an added note about the pup's name. "So happy!" she wrote. "LilBabyBear. Could get confusing!"

"Bear" isn't just the couple's pet's name; it's also their pet name for each other. Both Lopez and Smart have used it in the past as a term of endearment on Twitter.

"BEAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Today is OURS!!" the "Dance Again" singer, 43, wrote on the micro-blogging site for her one-year anniversary with Smart in October. "Thank you for sharing your beautiful smile with me everyday!"

Her man responded in kind. "Happy 1 year anniversary to the most gorgeous, kind, sweet, funny, beautiful lil Bear in the world..." he said on Oct. 25.

Adopting a puppy together is a big step, but Lopez and her love seem stronger than ever these days. "[Casper's] fantastic; he's like my best friend," the former American Idol judge told Harper's Bazaar in a recent interview. "I can tell him everything, when I'm feeling down, when I'm feeling good. He gives moral support, endless love and support."

Robert F. Chew, Prop Joe on The Wire, Dies at 52

Robert F. Chew, known to fans of HBO's acclaimed series The Wire as drug kingpin Proposition Joe, has died, The Baltimore Sun reports. He was 52.

Robert F. Chew at Proposition Joe on HBO's The Wire.
Credit: HBO

Chew's sister Clarice told the paper that her brother passed away in his sleep at his home in Northeast Baltimore, Md., on Thursday, Jan. 17. The cause of death appeared to be heart failure.

As both an actor and a teacher in Maryland, Chew mentored younger artists at Baltimore's Arena Players, even after he rose to fame on David Simon's HBO drama. Some of his proteges played students in season four of the show, which focused on Baltimore's city schools.

"Robert was not only an exceptional actor, he was an essential part of the film and theater community in Baltimore," Simon told the Baltimore Sun in an email. "He could have gone to New York or Los Angeles and commanded a lot more work, but he loved the city as his home and chose to remain here working."

"Robert's depiction of Proposition Joe was so fixed and complete -- from the very earliest scenes -- that the writers took for granted that anything we sent him would be finely executed," he continued, adding that Chew was also a "fine and generous man" offscreen.

Others in the Wire family expressed their condolences via Twitter. "I didn't want to believe this. RIP Robert F Chew," Marlo Stanfield-portrayer Jamie Hector tweeted. "Prop Joe will always be remembered. Robert Chew will always be loved and missed."

"To the beloved Robert Chew, a man who was real Bawlmore, and created the iconic character of 'Prop Joe,' may you RIP," Wendell Pierce (Detective Bunk Moreland) wrote. "A teacher & friend."

Added Jermaine Crawford, who played Duquan "Dukie" Weems: "RIP to Mr. Robert F. Chew, a.k.a. Proposition Joe. You impacted our lives more than you'll ever know...love you."

Daniel Radcliffe Flirts With Costar Erin Darke at Sundance Film Festival

Harry Potter's Daniel Radcliffe has cast a spell on actress Erin Darke, his costar in the upcoming film Kill Your Darlings. The two were seen packing on the PDA at Grey Goose Blue Door in Park City, Utah, on Friday, Jan. 18, sources confirm to Us.

Daniel Radcliffe and Erin Drake attends the "Kill Your Darlings" premiere during the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.
Credit: Jonathan Leibson/Getty Images

"They were affectionate most of the night," says a source, who notes that Darke "was touching his knee" at their VIP table. "They were a little more obvious outside the venue after they were leaving."

The stars have yet to comment on the nature of their relationship, though a second insider says "they've been seeing each other" quietly in New York, where they both live. (Radcliffe's ex-girlfriends include production assistant Rosie Coker and actress Laura O'Toole.)

When Us caught up with Radcliffe, 23, at the Kill Your Darlings premiere Jan. 19, the English actor was strictly business. The film centers around a 1944 murder that brings together the Beat Generation's greatest poets: Allen Ginsberg (Radcliffe), Jack Kerouac (Jack Huston) and William Burroughs (Ben Foster). "It's an incredible story," Radcliffe said. "It's a pleasure to finally be able to tell it."

The role required Radcliffe to film his first gay sex scene -- a big departure for the man who played the world's most famous child wizard. Even so, Radcliffe still remains close with his Harry Potter costars Emma Watson and Rupert Grint.

"I think we're all kind of looking out for each other, and kind of eagerly waiting for each other's films to come out. We're definitely looking out for each other with a very positive eye," Radcliffe told Us. "I think so far we're all doing really well."

Justin Bieber Pulls Down Pants, Moons the Camera

Justin Bieber is full of surprises. On the heels of his recent breakup with Selena Gomez and a headline-making marijuana controversy, the 18-year-old singer showed off his bare butt in an Instagram picture Saturday, Jan. 19.

Credit: justinbieber/Instagram

Wear a black tank top, a baseball hat and aviator sunglasses, the "Beauty and the Beat" singer peers over his shoulder in the image. Bieber deleted the image shortly after it was posted to his official account, though it had already been liked more than 15,000 times and received more than 2,700 comments.

Bieber's manager, Scooter Braun, joked about the picture via Twitter. "As a prankster you have to respect another good prank," he wrote. "Only makes sense. #crackdealer." Bieber's succinct reply: "Haha."

The Canadian pop star is currently on tour to support his latest album, Believe. He next performs at the Greensboro Coliseum Complex in Greensboro, North Carolina, on Jan. 19. He'll travel to Georgia and Florida throughout the month before taking his act to Dublin, Ireland, Feb. 17.

Charlie Sheen to Become a Grandpa!

The Sheen genes live on! Charlie Sheen will become a first-time grandfather later this year when his oldest daughter, Cassandra Estevez, 28, gives birth to her first child.

Charlie Sheen on June 26, 2012 in Hollywood, California.
Credit: Jason LaVeris/FilmMagic

The Anger Management star, 47, confirmed the happy news himself during an appearance on The Late Show With David Letterman Monday, Jan. 14. He told Letterman he was excited about the new addition to his family, but he also admitted to being a little nervous.

"Me as a grandfather, Dave...I don't know. It's like the world's going to crack in half," he joked. "It's fabulous. It's just not a title I'm ready to adopt."

Asked whether he thought he'd be a good grandpa, the actor quipped, "Well, yeah, because you can leave the kid!"

Shortly after the interview, Sheen's ex-wife Denise Richards posted the news on Twitter. "I guess some of you have heard...Charlie Sheen is going to be a Grampa...yes, GRAMPA!" she wrote. "His beautiful daughter Cassandra is gonna be a mama."

Cassandra is Sheen's daughter with his high school sweetheart Paula Speert. The actor also has two younger daughters, Sam, 8, and Lola, 7, with second wife Richards, and 3-year-old twin sons, Bob and Max, with third wife Brooke Mueller.

Victor Garber Reveals He's Gay and Dating Artist Rainer Andreesen

While Jodie Foster made her sexual orientation a public spectacle at the 70th Annual Golden Globe Awards in Beverly Hills Jan. 13, Titanic actor Victor Garber quietly confirmed that he's gay in an interview with Greg in Hollywood blogger Greg Hernandez.

Victor Garber and Rainer Andreesen attend The American Fertility Association's Illuminations NYC 2012 on December 3, 2012 in New York City.
Credit: Jason Kempin/Getty Images

Garber -- best known for his roles in the movies Argo, Legally Blonde, Milk, The First Wives Club and Sleepless in Seattle -- addressed his homosexuality during the TV Critics Association Press Tour in Pasadena, Calif. in early January.

Hernandez asked Garber about a Wikipedia entry that claimed he lives in New York City with artist and model Rainer Andreesen. "I don't really talk about it but everybody knows," the 63-year-old actor said of his relationship with Andreesen, a fellow Canadian. "He's going to be out here with me for the SAG Awards."

Garber -- who has been nominated for six Emmy Awards since entering show business -- first spoke about his longtime love in an April 2012 interview with Canada's Forever Young.

"My companion Rainer Andreesen and I have been together almost 13 years in Greenwich Village," he said. "We both love New York."


In addition to his film career, Garber has also appeared on the small screen in Alias, 30 Rock, Frasier, Ugly Betty, Web Therapy, The Big C, Damages, Deception, Eli Stone, Nurse Jackie and Glee.

Lance Armstrong Admits to Doping in Oprah Winfrey Interview: Report

Months after swearing in testimony that he was innocent of doping charges leveled against him by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency and the World Anti-Doping Agency, Lance Armstrong has reportedly confessed to Oprah Winfrey that he used performance-enhancing drugs to win the Tour de France, a source familiar with the situation told the Associated Press. The Oprah's Next Chapter interview is scheduled to be broadcast on Thursday, Jan. 17, on OWN.

Lance Armstrong and Oprah Winfrey
Credit: George Burns/Harpo, Inc.

According to the AP, the famed cyclist issued an "emotional" apology to his staff prior to the sit-down with Winfrey on Monday, Jan. 14. Among those present were around 100 staffers for Livestrong, the cancer support charity Armstrong founded after his battle with testicular cancer.

Last fall, officials released a massive file of doping charges and detailed evidence against the 41-year-old athlete. As a result, he was stripped of his seven Tour de France titles and barred for life from competing in all sports sanctioned by the U.S. and World Anti-Doping Agencies.

Armstrong swore at the time that he was innocent, but rumors surfaced earlier this month that he wanted to come clean, reportedly because he hoped to appeal his lifetime ban and resume his athletic career. According to the World Anti-Doping Code, a punishment may be reduced if the offending party makes a full confession about the extent and details of his use of performance-enhancing drugs.

Another big part of Armstrong's motivation for confessing, a source told USA Today, was the reputation of Livestrong, which has suffered under the weight of the controversy surrounding its founder's cycling career.

Appearing on CBS This Morning Jan. 15, Winfrey, 58, called her chat with Armstrong "the biggest interview I've ever done."

"I would say he didn't come clean in the manner I expected," she added. The TV mogul -- who prepared 112 questions for her interview with Armstrong -- said she was "riveted by some of his answers" but shared no specific details from the interview.

Said Winfrey, "He was just ready. . . He had certainly prepared himself for this moment."

Jennifer Lawrence and Sam Claflin Prepare for Battle in New Hunger Games: Catching Fire Pictures

Happy Hunger Games! The highly-anticipated Hunger Games sequel, Catching Fire, is still a little less than a year away from hitting theaters, but the first batch of movie stills have already been released.

One new photo introduces Sam Claflin's character, Finnick Odair, a former Hunger Games champion from District 4, who flirts with Jennifer Lawrence's character Katniss Everdeen. In the two other shots, Josh Hutcherson reprises his role as Peeta Mellark and Liam Hemsworth returns as Gale Hawthorne.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Credit: Murray Close

Entertainment Weekly recently caught up with the cast during their final days of production in Waikiki, Hawaii. Clafin, 26, has the pressure of being the newcomer and admitted he's been feeling the heat. The scene where Finnick has to tease Katniss while only wearing a piece of netting was "the scariest moment of my life," Claflin said. "I'm on Twitter and so many people have been like 'Don't mess this up, or we will kill you.'"

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire
Credit: Murray Close

But the cast managed to enjoy a few laughs and Lawrence, 22, even hosted a wild party for the cast and crew. "When Sam walked in I was chasing Woody [Harrelson] and we'd flipped over my couch and Woody had a sock all the way down my throat . . ." she said of the night.

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, directed by Francis Lawrence, is set to hit theaters Nov. 21, 2013.

PHOTOS: The Hunger Games premiere -- what the stars wore

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