| "You Don't Know Me"....by A.M. One too many probing questions... |
Please note! All news about Gangs of New York will be redirected to Gangs of New York
L.D. was just one of the sweltering studs at
Maxim magazine's Hot 100 bash. Looking
newly lean, the hottie sauntered through the
crowds at hot, hot, hot Moomba with a particularly
well-toned specimen. Think killer abs. Think clingy bodysuit.
Gisele or one of her model mates? Nope.
If you guessed Spider-Man's sinewy Tobey Maguire, slap
yourself where it pleases, why doncha? Both casually clad,
the very good chums circulated about the scene, awing
onlookers in their wowza wake. Leo and Gisele make a flying visit to London
Titanic star evades the paparazzi
Leo DiCaprio and his supermodel girlfriend Gisele Bundchen
spent the last four days holed up in the Berkeley Hotel making
whoopee. They slipped into town on Saturday without being
spotted - they are believed to have devised a clever way of
evading the paparazzi - and booked into a £2,500 suite. They
hardly left the hotel, spending most of the weekend frollicking
in the hotel's sumptuous spa; in the evenings they larked
around drinking champagne in the hotel's Blue Bar. 'They
must have come to the Berkeley because it's far more discreet
than the Metropolitan Hotel,' says a source. The couple
checked out today, also unnoticed. This can only stoke up the
engagement stories that have been flying around – the couple
were first rumoured to have become engaged in October, and
friends of the couple have hinted that there will be a summer
wedding. This is, of course, the theme of Leofest, accepting, for now, only films 15 minutes in length or shorter, but who IS that in those shorts???? From Leo's Official Site...a fantastic place to be!!!
HOLLYWOOD (Variety) - Nearly 40 years after the studio mounted its first adaptation of the work, 20th Century Fox is set to return to F. Scott Fitzgerald's romantic epic ``Tender Is the Night.''
Fox owned half of the novel's film rights but the other half had reverted to the Fitzgerald estate, with which the studio had to negotiate a deal for the outstanding rights. With the rights now under control, Fox is understood to be going straight to directors who can then develop it with a writer.
While Fox's 1962 version of the novel (which starred Jennifer Jones and Jason Robards under Henry King's direction) was viewed as a watered-down version of Fitzgerald's semi-autobiographical novel, Fox hopes to pull out all the stops with this remake.
First published in 1934 (nine years after Fitzgerald began writing it), ``Tender'' is the story of the psychological disintegration of a young, wealthy American couple on the French Riviera in the 1920s.
The studio is eyeing the picture as a sweeping romantic saga that will attract A-list stars for the roles of Dick (think Leonardo DiCaprio) and Nicole Diver, the American expatriates.
Leo's lair ... DiCaprio has fallen in love with the pop queen Madonna's luxury former home..
LEO BUYS MADONNA MANSION
From VICTORIA NEWTON in Los Angeles
The movie heart-throb spent months hunting for his ideal des res before falling in love with the pop queen's former home.
It is perched high in the Hollywood Hills and boasts spectacular views over Los Angeles. But that is just the tip of the iceberg.
Leo, 24, and model girlfriend Kristen Zang were wowed by the massive master bedroom with its titanic en-suite bathtub.
There is also a luxury spa, an outdoor pool, a gym ... and an impressive wine cellar.
The house, reached by a winding private drive, is close to L.A's famous Sunset Strip.
That means Leo - whose latest film The Beach is due out in February - can easily pop down to his favourite nightspot the Viper Room.
The Standard Hotel, which he co-owns, is also a stone's throw away - as is the Malibu home the star bought for his Mum.
Even though Leo's new house only has three bedrooms, each of them is huge.
A source said yesterday: "Leo has been looking for a place in Hollywood for ages.From the Hollywood Reporter, July 2, 2001: Some bad news for those of us who were anticipating Lasse Hallstrom directing this film.
Hallstrom drops 'Catch' - July 2, 2001
DreamWorks Pictures' "Catch Me If You Can" has hit another snag. Director Lasse Hallstrom has dropped out of the Leonardo DiCaprio-James Gandolfini starrer, a studio spokesman confirmed. Hallstrom's reps at UTA would not comment. DreamWorks had to delay the start of "Catch" last fall after DiCaprio's shooting schedule ran over on "Gangs of New York" (HR 11/6). At that time, Gore Verbinski was set to direct the project, but he later dropped out as well. A replacement for Hallstrom has not yet been named. (Chris Gardner)
I was sent some photos Thursday of Leonardo DiCaprio as he appears in Martin Scorsese's Gangs of New York, a violent melodrama set in the 1850s. As you can see, he isn't as heavy as Robert De Niro became when he porked up for the last third of Raging Bull, but he's in the general vicinity.
Scorsese wanted him bulked up so he'd be convincing as a scrappy, two-fisted gang leader. He's definitely got the 19th-century bruiser look down. Those suspenders look right, and that facial hair under his chin makes him look like one of those working-class roughnecks Matthew Brady used to photograph. An intriguing transformation, all in all.
I was also sent photos of Leo's current appearance, and he appears to have lost most of his Gangs weight since the film wrapped in early April. The budget has been reported as somewhere between $90 and $100 million. Miramax will be releasing the film, which co-stars Cameron Diaz, Liam Neeson, and Daniel Day Lewis, in late December.
By: Jonathan Moffat
June 13, 2001
Sexy Angelina largely celebrated She laughs quite relaxed by the red carpet: Angelina Jolie (26) became with the world premiere of " Lara Croft: Tomb Raider " in Hollywood inspires celebrated. Famous colleagues such as Leonardo DiCaprio and James Woods umschwaermten them, the crush were so enormous that all honour guests workstation in a cinema did not find at all. The film over the once virtual computer game figure Lara Croft had to be demonstrated in two halls at the same time! Angelina, the embodiment sexy of the Kaempferin, came solo to the celebration, without husband Billie Bob Thornton. And betrayed: It assured already for two further " Lara Croft" consequences.
Our first shoveling will be a development in
the endless Leo DiCaprio & Gisele
Bündchen guessing game. (Are they
married? Betrothed? Together at all?)
News about THE ART OF SZUKALSKI..thanks to Leo!
DiCaprio gets engaged to supermodel (tabloid rumors)
Women across the world may shed a tear or
two following the announcement that heart-throb
Leonardo DiCaprio has become engaged.
The star of Titanic is reported to have popped
the question to Brazillian supermodel Gisele
Bundchen - no doubt breaking the hearts of one
of two men.
The news, which ended months of speculation,
was confirmed by Gisele herself at a press
conference in Sao Paulo, Brazil.
But rather confusingly she claimed they had no
plans to wed.
"For sure, I am not getting married. Not for now.
I am only 20 years old, and I have a great deal
of time ahead of me," she said.
The pair were first thought to be engaged in
October, when Leo splashed out thousands of
dollars on a diamond ring for his girlfriend.
However, since then reports of an engagement
have been denied and resurfaced on a fairly
regular basis.
Both sets of parents joined the couple in their
Malibu beachfront home over the new year,
prompting speculation that marriage was
imminent.
Leonardo Offered Cement Mixing Job
A Los Angeles concrete company has offered TITANIC actor LEONARDO DiCAPRIO
a new job - as a cement mixer.
The multi-millionaire actor has taken to advertising a Los Angeles cement company
by wearing one of their promotional sweatshirts - after taking a shine to a builders' top
when the firm installed a new swimming pool in his Hollywood Hills home. And the
firm, SOUTHDOWN CONCRETE, is so delighted with the free publicity, they've
offered to employ him if his movie career ever goes sour.
Human Resources chief SUE BEAVER says, "We're so delighted Leo's wearing our
shirts round town. What an amazing free advert for us. "If he ever wants to come
work for us, shovelling cement, there's a job for him. I don't know why he liked the
shirt so much, but he must have persuaded one of his workers to give one to him."
TITANIC star LEONARDO DiCAPRIO is set to make waves in a new movie called
THE HEART OF THE SEA.
The film, based on NATHANIEL PHILBRICK's book THE HEART OF THE SEA: THE
TRAGEDY OF THE WHALESHIP ESSEX, which inspired HERMAN MELVILLE's
MOBY DICK, tells the true story of a 19th century disaster in which a sperm whale
sank a ship.
Also expressing interest in the project is DiCaprio's GANGS OF NEW YORK co-star
DANIEL DAY LEWIS, who is currently shooting the MARTIN SCORCESE movie with
the Titanic hunk in Rome, Italy. (LE/US/NFA)
Source: WENN
Martin Scorsese and Leonardo DiCaprio, along with an Italian actress have been
awarded with the Rodolfo Valentino award, which is a prize given to those who contributed to cinema with their charisma and ability, in the way Valentino
himself did. The Valentino Awards pictures, clip and speech are all on this page
Virna Lisi, DiCaprio and Scorsese for Telethon in the Hilton dedicated in Rome on 27 January the
celebration of the appreciation, the star of the cinema ANNA MARIA FERRETTI Virna Lisi, Leonardo
DiCaprio and Martin Scorsese. That is the victorious Trio of the international prize of the cinema "
Rodolfo Valentino ", which will be assigned on next 27 January in Rome at the play and the solidarity
dedicated evening. A very much meaning public of thousand guests becomes those of star of the cinema,
the personalities from the world of the science, the art, finances and the culture, still this XXVII.
Assignment of the price with a collection of funds more importantly to make will contribute for Telethon,
the humanitarian institution, which financed from 1990 to today 1165 research projects and created three
research labs. Basic targets, differently unattainably, of which one will speak in detail in the
Galavorstellung of the international cinema, dedicated the myth Rodolfo Valentino, and that it will be
especially Susanna Agnelli, chairman von Telethon, those will illustrate for Paola Saluzzi, landlady for the
opportunity (?) and the chief of the television transmission, which transmitted we will see on Raiuno in
next spring. The " price Rodolfo Valentino " is now an institution for the region Apulien, and it carries
the names of Apulien and of one of its most famous births since the year 1972, when it became to assign
for the first time, world-wide. Los Angeles, Berlin, Paris, London, Madrid, and this year Rome, in order
to celebrate the cinema, its international talents and their admittingness. An acknowledgment, intends for
the artist and its activity...
Hello (UK) - 09.01.01
Ever since free-spirited teen idol Leonardo DiCaprio first spotted statuesque Brazilian Gisele Bundchen on the catwalk in 1998, the pair have teased fans with their on-and-off relationship. Only last July, Leo was said to be devastated after the supermodel dropped him for her ex. But recent sightings of the pair suggest they’re more of an item than ever, and even that a wedding is on the cards. The lovebirds have been pictured often enough enjoying outings together – but this time they brought their families along. Over the festive season, Gisele’s parents and five sisters, including twin Patricia, joined her for the first time as she visited the screen heart-throb at his Malibu Beach mansion. And Leo’s mother, Irmelin, who was introduced to Gisele over lunch at a Brazilian restaurant last year, reportedly prepared a New Year’s Eve dinner for the whole clan. The DiCaprios and Bundchens got together not only to feast but also to work off the season’s surplus calories, with a game of volley ball on the beach. Amid all the family fun, Leo and Gisele did once slip away by themselves, and made for one of Leo’s favourite eateries on Sunset Boulevard. There, as he tucked into some favourite Mexican fare, the Titanic star displayed an appetite to match the blockbuster movie that made him a household name.
Pictures are here
The British "Sky One" also picked The Beach, American Beauty, Gladiator and Sleepy Hollow as the most watchable movies of the year 2000 in the UK.
A civil complaint alleging assault and other assorted causes of action has been filed by an individual named Roger Wilson against Leonardo Dicaprio, the Asia De Cuba Restaurant and others with the New York County Clerks's office. The document in question which is self characterized as a "Verified Complaint" could be more accurately described as a press release promoting the career of Roger Wilson. It is a collection of false claims, lies and defamatory misrepresentations regarding an incident provoked by the irresponsible behavior of Mr. Wilson himself at the Asia De Cuba Restaurant on March 4, 1998. Mr. DiCaprio emphatically denies ever ordering or participating in any assault on Roger Wilson. Mr. DiCaprio did not employ or direct the actions of "...a bodyguard/ assistant..." as alleged in the complaint. These allegations are absolutely false. It is readily apparent that Mr. DiCaprio has been named in this lawsuit for the sole purpose of generating publicity for Roger Wilson. Mr. DiCaprio will vigorously defend these false charges and fully expects to be vindicated in court
For more information, please feel free to contact: Ken Sunshine, Media Consultant to Leonardo Dicaprio (New York City) phone (212) 754-6750 kensunshine@hotmail.com
Leonardo DiCaprio is determined to use
some of his "Titanic" tenacity to fight a
$45 million lawsuit.
The bar-hopping heartthrob got some bad news
last week when a panel of New York State
appellate judges refused to throw out a suit filed by screenwriter
Roger Wilson.
Wilson claims the star goaded his buddies to attack him during a
dispute over the writer's girlfriend, "Showgirls" star Elizabeth
Berkley.
The 1998 brawl over Berkley took place after
DiCaprio's pals allegedly urged the blond
actress to meet them at the Asia de Cuba
restaurant on Madison Ave. Wilson claims
that when he confronted the group outside the
place, they attacked him.
A Manhattan judge last year dismissed a claim
that DiCaprio took part in the assault, but
refused to throw out a claim that the actor
aided and abetted it. A five-judge panel in the
Appellate Division issued a ruling on Thursday
upholding the lower court.
Wilson's lawyer, Richard Zuckerman, told The News' Helen
Peterson he expects depositions in the case to start soon after the
new year.
Wilson alleges that his singing career was ended when an
unidentified friend of DiCaprio hit him in the throat.
DiCaprio's lawyer, Paul Callan, said the claims about his client
were "fabricated" and that he was looking forward to presenting a
"vigorous defense" at trial.
Callan praised the panel for agreeing with the dismissal of the
assault claim, and said "the remaining claim of aiding and abetting
an assault is utterly false."
Mon, Nov 27, 2000
LOS ANGELES (Zap2it.com) - Overnight Ratings For Sunday, Nov. 26, 2000
NBC secured a win in the last Sunday of sweeps behind the blockbuster hit "Titanic." In the overnight metered market ratings (Nov. 26), the Peacock dominated the night, taking a 12.6 rating / 18 share (last week, 7.2/11). ABC still managed to be a close second, 11.4/16 (11.7/17), followed by CBS, 10.7/15 (10.6/16). FOX, with "The X-Files," was fourth, 7.8/11 (8.6/13), followed by The WB with a 2.7/4 (2.8/4).
"Titanic" was the only programming on the night for NBC, averaging a 12.6/18 from 7-11 p.m. The Leonardo DiCaprio/Kate Winslet movie peaked at 10:30 p.m. with a 14.7/23 and won virtually every half-hour on the night. (Last week, "Dateline NBC," 6.3/10. "Ed," 6.8/11. "Lethal Weapon 4," 7.8/12)
Could the details of Catch Me If You Can change any more? First, Leonardo DiCaprio was in, with Gore Verbinski (The Mexican) directing. Then DiCaprio's involvement was threatened by his work on Martin Scorsese's Gangs of New York running over schedule. Now, Catch Me's producers are trying to work around DiCaprio's schedule, even if that means losing Verbinski to another film and costar James Gandolfini back to The Sopranos. "We're meeting with Leo to make sure this will be his first movie after Gangs, whether it's before the strike or after," says producer Barry Kemp. "No matter what, we want to go with him."
Press statement from Leo through his publicist Ken Sunshine.
Nov. 5, 2000-- It is incumbent on all Americans to vote their conscience next Tuesday. For me, there is just one choice -- Vice President Al Gore. As an environmentalist and chairman of Earth Day 2000, I met him several times, and after reading his book ``Earth in the Balance,'' I became convinced that he is deeply committed to improving the earth's total environment. Al Gore's encompassing over-view makes him the best candidate to deal with the complex global challenges of the future. The theme of Earth Day 2000 addressed the problem of global warming, which I believe to be the greatest threat to the future of our planet.
George W. Bush, as Governor of Texas, has given environmental concerns the lowest priority. Although leading scientists throughout the world agree that global warming is caused by the accumulation of greenhouse gases emitted by automobiles, refineries, and manufacturing plants, Bush maintained during the debates that ``the jury is still out'' on the causes of global warming. He is relying on the advice of people who are using big industry-funded ``junk science'' to form his opinions rather than using the worldwide consensus of respected scientific study. If Texas is Bush's example of having an environmental conscience, it is an extremely poor model for the rest of the country.
Please, I urge everyone, especially the first time voters, to think about the environment of our future and vote for the Gore/Lieberman team on Tuesday. Thank you.
and an interesting viewpoint on those rumors from Fox News
See also the GONY News page for some statements from Harvey Weinstein regarding the on the set rumors
Twins pique the interest of DiCaprio
By Michael Fleming
NEW YORK (Variety) - Leonardo DiCaprio, who played identical twins in the Randall Wallace-directed ``Man in the Iron Mask,'' has signed on to go the that route again, but in a far more daring manner.
He'll star in ``Johnny Eck,'' a film that is being put together by producer Mark Gordon and Pelagius Entertainment principal Joe Fries, based on the story of Robert and Johnny Eckhardt.
The latter of that duo was born without the lower half of his body, and is somewhat famous for playing the half-boy hero of Tod Browning's 1932 cult film classic ``Freaks.'' His brother was completely normal. The story focuses on the brothers and their triumph over the exploitation of one of them, with DiCaprio in both roles.
DiCaprio, who last starred in ``The Beach'' and who is just starting work for director Martin Scorsese in ``Gangs of New York,'' signed on after he and his Artists Management Group manager Rick Yorn heard a pitch meeting with Gordon and Fries.
``Johnny Eck'' marks the second alliance between Gordon and Fries with a star-attached true story. The pair recently set up ``Petey Greene's Washington,'' a film to star Martin Lawrence."
9/22/00
Leonardo DiCaprio will be the new spokesman of Telecom Italia for the institutional campaign 'What would you like for the future'? After Woody Allen's fears for what will come, the desire of a world without barriers for Marlon Brando, and the social engagement of Nelson Mandela, the actor will be the star of the ad 'Not now', a call for the importance of the meeting between new technologies and the environment.
Allen, Brando, and Mandela were the stars of the first three ads directed by Tony Scott, Spike Lee, and Woody Allen, and the young actor will be the center of the latest filmed ad entitled "Not now" directed by Chris Cunningham (known for directing Madonna's video "Frozen".) "The technology is important, but also all the rest" is the line that closes the commercial, 60 seconds during which communication and the ability to always communicate anywhere through new technologies tries to co-exist with love and respect for nature.
It was not just by chance, explains those responsible at Telecom Italia, that their choice was Leonardo DiCaprio, even though they originally intended to conclude the ad campaign with a female character. The actor, in addition to being one of the biggest young celebrities today, is also well-known for being sensitive to problems of the environment and is directly involved in the field of helping the environment. Leonardo DiCaprio is spread out on the grass, on a lawn at a high altitude, where all around nothing is seen nothing but nature--he has closed eyes, the long beard, is heavily dressed and relaxed, while he is playing with small insects (?). Suddenly, the vibration of his personal communicator shakes him to tell him he has received an e-mail. "When will you return?" asks someone who needs him. "Not now" answers the actor, in his only spoken line in the ad. This commercial, on which they have spent over 120 billion liras, will be broadcast on all the principal national television networks for three weeks beginning September 24.
From Talk magazine:
Leonardo's got an economobile
Leonardo DiCaprio can have pretty much anything he wants: three picture deals, private jets, Gisele Bundchen. But what DiCaprio wants is the new Toyota Prius hybrid, a remarably stylish $19, 995 full-size sedan that combines a gasoline fueled interbal combustion engine with a clean, quiet electric motor for minimum environmental impact. In other words, it's that rarity: an economobile that doesn't sacrifice efficiency or convenience.
"We told them he wanted one as soon as they were available" says DiCarpio's publicist Ken Sunshine who notes that his client has recently gotten his Prius. "He's committed to environmental issues".
From www.abagnale.com and www.4filmmakers.com..
DreamWorks Entertainment is developing the movie, "Catch Me If You Can", based on the autobiography of Frank W. Abagnale. The executive-in-charge at DreamWorks is Glen Williamson. The producers are Michael Shane, Tony Romano and Barry Kemp. Barry Kemp was creator and producer of the TV series "Coach" and the recent movies "Patch Adams" and "Romy and Michele's High School Reunion". The screenplay was written by Jeff Nathanson, who wrote "Twister", "Speed 2", and " Rush Hour". The movie will be directed by Gore Verbinski, who just completed filming "The Mexican" starring Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts. "Catch Me If You Can" will star Leonardo DiCaprio as Frank W. Abagnale.
The movie is scheduled to be filmed in early 2001. To follow the movie's progress, log on to 4filmmakers.com and click to 'Films in Development'.
It wasn't even close to the multi-millions that a businessman reportedly offered to get into Britney Spears' pants, but a bidder did pony up $7,000 for a pair of the pop princess' jeans in the "Undress for MS -- Yahoo Celebrity Jeans Auction." Top sellers included jeans from Leonardo DiCaprio ($22,700) and Hugh Jackman's Wolverine costume from X-Men ($19,240). Britney's britches trounced fellow popster Faith Hills' 501s, which pulled in $1,510. All told, the auction pocked more than $114,000 for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
NOTE...all articles and news about Leo in Rome are located on the Gangs of New York Rome News Page
August 7th
Over the past few months members of the Screen Actors Guild
have been striking against the advertising industry. The dispute
between the two sides stems from advertisers wanting to cut
actor's residuals from network television while actors are
seeking residuals from cable. It's a fact that the actor's
commercial contract has not been updated since 1988, while
during that same time cable revenues have risen more than
2,000%. Further, advertisers want to decrease the actor's rates
to an average of 38 dollars a day, which is less than what
someone on un-employment would earn.
The reality is that actors receive less than 1.4% of the total
expenditure on television advertising, a business that generates
billions of dollars in profits annually. Fortunately some big time
names, such as Gwyneth Paltrow, have gone public in support
of the strike and recently, Leonardo DiCaprio went on record by
saying, "I support my union and my fellow actors in the strike
against the advertising industry." Hopefully there will be resolve
in the not too distant future, as the ad industry needs skilled
actors and at the same time, the actors need to make a living.
As of now, there are no scheduled meetings between the two
sides.
DreamWorks tries to 'Catch' DiCaprio
Leonardo DiCaprio is in ongoing discussions to star in DreamWorks'
"Catch Me If You Can" from screenwriter Jeff Nathanson ("Rush Hour").
DiCaprio is seriously considering playing real-life criminal Frank Abagnale, the
youngest man to make the FBI's most-wanted list for forgery who later became
a consultant to the bureau. Gore Verbinski, who directed DreamWorks'
"Mousehunt" and just completed helming the studio's "The Mexican" starring
Julia Roberts and Brad Pitt, is being eyed to step behind the camera again.
DreamWorks executive Glenn Williamson is overseeing the project.
The entire speech given by Leonardo for Earth Day 2000 on the Mall in Washington DC can be seen atThe Leonardo DiCaprio Sound Pages thanks to Blue Skies! On her site you can also see the ABC edited version of his chat with Mr Clinton about global warming. The transcript of Leo's Earth Day speech can be read here!
News of the interview sent the egos at ABC's Washington Bureau bursting through their dams. An actor, they howled, for God's sake! We are professional journalists!
To quell the controversy, ABC News President David Westin sent an e-mail to his staff explaining that DiCaprio had not been assigned to interview the president but had gone the White House for a look at its environment-friendly features.
Clinton, Westin explained, had spontaneously sprung the interview idea on DiCaprio, and he expressed doubts that ABC would air it. A serious news gathering agency like ABC News would never stoop to the level of sending an actor to obtain news, Westin wrote. ``No one would be that stupid,''
No one? Is he kidding?
First, Westin's statement was flat- out wrong. In fact, ABC had not only sought the interview, it sent the White House a list of DiCaprio's potential questions the night before the interview.
``Don't you news people ever learn?'' Clinton later joked with reporters. ``It isn't the mistake that kills you. It's the cover-up.''
Even giving Westin the benefit of the doubt (ABC staffers say their boss was ``misinformed''), it is hard to take seriously his protest that entertainment has no place in his news division.
Take a look at the ABC News Web site. The lead story last Tuesday was about the 3-year-old murder of JonBenet Ramsey. A link to ABC's cerebral ``Nightline'' features Kermit the Frog on Ted Koppel's set. An interactive link allows readers to pose questions to ABC's celebrity policy wonk-turned-reporter George Stephanopoulos.
And all of a sudden the man who endured the frigid Atlantic in ``Titanic'' and spoonfuls of heroin in ``Basketball Diaries'' can't talk Earth Day to the president?
Face it, entertainment has long ago overrun Washington news, especially at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
A White House press conference is a made-for-TV political drama, complete with cues, klieg lights and dramatic backdrops. The North Lawn has a permanent encampment of television cameras to allow the networks to show off their proximity on the nightly news. Across Lafayette Square, top floor rooms are rented by networks so their anchors can deliver the news from time to time with the White House in the background.
Why the fuss? Was Westin worried that news hounds confronted with DiCaprio's face would be so appalled they would flip the channel in search of a real journalist, say Geraldo Rivera or Ally McBeal? Were the egos in the Washington Bureau threatened by the possibility that some viewers might rub their eyes and think they were watching a youthful Sam Donaldson with a full head of hair?
In his e-mail, Westin apologetically wrote that ``a sincere, informed celebrity can play a role in that sort of news special. But the role must be that of a sincere, informed celebrity
--not journalist.
``All roles of journalists,'' he concluded, ``must be played by journalists.''
Perhaps next time the network needs a White House interview they will send over a real journalist. How about Murphy Brown?
The Associated Press
Friday, March 31, 2000; 4:55 p.m. EST
WASHINGTON –– Friday was no day at "The Beach" for Leonardo DiCaprio – it was a day at the White House, interviewing the president.
The 25-year-old actor, whose latest role was that of an amoral backpacker in search of the perfect beach, assumed the role of journalist for ABC to interview President Clinton about the environment. The interview is to air April 22 on for an Earth Day special.
Clinton talked about his policy on global warming and efforts to make the White House more environmentally friendly, said White House spokesman Jake Siewert.
Afterward, DiCaprio walked out of the Oval Office with the president and waved goodbye as Clinton climbed into his limousine and headed for a local golf course.
"The Beach" created a stir among environmentalists while being filmed in Thailand. The moviemakers stripped away native grasses, cleared out garbage and bulldozed Maya Bay beach to make it look a little more "perfect." They also promised to restore the beach to its original condition.
The Associated Press
Wave of Support
For Leo's Bro
Good news for Leonardo DiCaprio's stepbrother. Adam Farrar, arrested Wednesday on charges of trying to kill his girlfriend, was released Friday from the Twin Towers Correctional Facility in downtown L.A.
The 28-year-old actor is also accused of making terroristic threats during an attack on a residence in the chic Marina del Rey. Sandi Gibbons, a spokeswoman for the L.A. County prosecutor's office, told us: "We have the case under review. He was released because charges weren't filed within 48 hours, the statutory time period for people in custody.
"He's still a suspect," Gibbons added. "He's not out of the woods."
As Farrar sat in jail, friends and family rallied around him. "Adam is one of the most nonviolent people I know," says Peggy DiCaprio, wife of the star's father, George. "All the charges will be proved false. I can promise you that."
Farrar's attorney did not return calls for comment. But a source close to DiCaprio told us that prosecutors are looking hard at the truth of his accuser's story.
DiCaprio was in New York meeting with film execs when his stepbrother was arrested. "Leonardo is in a state of complete shock," his stepmother said. "He can't believe any of this is happening. But he did warn Adam to be careful. Leo knows there are a lot of unscrupulous people in this world who want to cash in on his fame, and he's always tried to shield Adam from this."
Police are reportedly protecting the woman and won't divulge her name, Peggy DiCaprio added. "But she's certainly no long-term girlfriend. Apparently she was taken out of town as soon they discovered who Adam was. I think she might be in Vegas."
The "Titanic" star sought relief from the crisis Wednesday night here at Saci. On Thursday night, at Chaos, the teen heartthrob was wearing a goatee, glasses and baseball cap, and shuttling between dueling bashes — Queen Latifah's 30th birthday and producer Carey Woods' celebration for his movie, "Buddy Boy."
Also on hand were Joaquin Phoenix, Casey Affleck, director Brett Rattner, Carmen Kass and Mary J. Blige. And director John Singleton,who left the party with the phone number of American soccer champ Saskia Webber.
"Talk for February now features a dramatic one-photo VIP on its cover. It is Leonardo DiCaprio in an amazing Aaron Latham article about Leo's relationship with his father! The beautiful pictures can be found here! The full interview as well as the Premiere and J-17 interviews/articles are now here!
The January issue of the French magazine Cine-Live has a 7 page spread on Leonardo and his new movie, The Beach. There are many never seen before pictures, and a very enlightening article which can be found on Innocence Lost's Articles page The pictures are here.!
From Raygun Magazine, who IS that in the "shorts"??
By Chris Petrikin
TITANIC star Leonardo DiCaprio has splashed out £2million - to buy Madonna's old Hollywood mansion.
"He wanted to make sure whatever he bought would be a secure property so that he could maintain a level of privacy."
"That was one of the reasons he chose this place with its big iron gate. The fact Madonna lived there makes it a very cool pad."