Clik here to view.
‘Office Christmas Party’ takes T. J. Miller down memory lane
NEW YORK — When “Office Christmas Party” was partially filmed in Chicago in the spring of 2015, it brought back a lot of important career memories for the movie’s star, T.J. Miller. “It was crazy for...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Natalie Portman channels a first lady’s resolve in ‘Jackie’
NEW YORK — Had Natalie Portman had an opportunity to speak to Jacqueline Kennedy before the former first lady’s death in 1994, the conversation likely would have centered on very domestic matters. “The...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Making ‘La La Land’ brought back pre-fame memories for Emma Stone
LOS ANGELES — Now that she’s an established star who just earned her third Golden Globe nomination, Emma Stone is inundated with scripts from directors and producers eager to work with her. Her...
View ArticleClik here to view.
For ‘Collateral Beauty’s’ Will Smith, ‘love is elixir of life’
NEW YORK — One of the more intriguing plot points of “Collateral Beauty” (opening Friday) has Will Smith’s character writing personal letters to the concept of “Love,” “Death” and “Time” — during the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Well-known Chicago stars tapped for Theater Wit’s ’10 Out of 12′
A quartet of high-profile local theater personalities will voice pre-recorded roles in Theater Wit’s Midwest premiere of Anne Washburn’s “10 Out of 12.” Former longtime Steppenwolf artistic director...
View ArticleClik here to view.
When Taraji met ‘Hidden Figures’ heroine: ‘Talk about pressure!’
NEW YORK — Even though Taraji P. Henson is an award-winning actress and star of a hit TV series — Fox’s Chicago-made “Empire” — she was very nervous the first time she prepared to meet Katherine G....
View ArticleClik here to view.
New boss Arnold a big ‘Celebrity Apprentice’ draw for Laila Ali
While retired pro boxing champion Laila Ali said she had been “asked for multiple seasons before and turned it down,” the daughter of the late, great Muhammad Ali couldn’t say no when she was...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ryan Gosling upped his keyboard skills for ‘La La Land’
LOS ANGELES — Playing a skilled jazz pianist in the acclaimed “La La Land,” Ryan Gosling is seen actually working the keyboards, an aspect of the role that didn’t come easily. Though he was no stranger...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Adam Driver gets in touch with spiritual life in ‘Silence’
NEW YORK — Before playing the role of a mid-17th century Portuguese Jesuit priest in Martin Scorsese’s “Silence” (opening Friday), Adam Driver let go of some preconceptions about men of the cloth. “The...
View ArticleClik here to view.
A tree’s company for teen Lewis MacDougall in ‘A Monster Calls’
NEW YORK — In “A Monster Calls” (opening Friday), young Scottish newcomer Lewis MacDougall is cast as Conor, a boy who has to face a litany of tough problems. He has daily nightmares, he’s bullied at...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Greta Gerwig goes punk in ’20th Century Women’
From the wannabe mom in “Maggie’s Plan” to the wide-eyed veterinary assistant in “Wiener-Dog,” the past couple of years have presented Greta Gerwig with “such a diverse group of women I’ve been able to...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Billy Porter, Jessie Mueller headline two Goodman fundraisers
Two Tony Award winners — Grammy receipient Billy Porter and Evanston native Jessie Mueller — will be the star attractions at two upcoming fundraising events for the Goodman Theatre. On April 4, Mueller...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Star sightings include Dwyane Wade, John Reynolds, Aaron Rodgers
SEEN ON THE SCENE: Among the first among the celebrity crowd to check out the new Chicago restaurant Ronero was Bulls star Dwyane Wade — spied dining on the eatery’s pescado frito, a whole, fried red...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Michelle Monaghan recalls non-‘Sleepless’ times in Chicago
LOS ANGELES — Though Michelle Monaghan was born in Iowa and grew up there, the actress clearly remembers trips to nearby Chicago as a kid. “My first memory was my parents taking me to a Cubs game and...
View ArticleClik here to view.
TV Land’s ‘Teachers’ built a Naperville hallway in California
During tapings for her TV Land sitcom “Teachers,” it’s often impossible to keep a straight face, actress Kate Lambert admitted. “It often takes a couple of takes. Thank goodness for editing!” said the...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Michael Keaton intrigued by Ray Kroc’s drive to create McDonald’s
When Michael Keaton called to talk about playing fast-food visionary Ray Kroc in “The Founder,” he laughed ruefully about the fact that “this interview could so easily have taken place right there in...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Gina Rodriguez plays another virgin — the most famous of all
Chicago native Gina Rodriguez — who found fame playing the title role in “Jane the Virgin” and won herself a Golden Globe in the process — is now going to portray the most famous woman to give birth...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Celebs around town: Larenz Tate, Chance the Rapper, Jimmy Butler
Fans of Larenz Tate were delighted to see the actor and Chicago native pop into Sunda for dinner Friday night — before heading over to Rockit Bar & Grill . … Chance the Rapper partied with pals at...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Ali Larter enjoys ‘Resident Evil’ role — but isn’t a horror fan
LOS ANGELES — Not a fan of horror movies in general, Ali Larter said that while she loves acting in the “Resident Evil” films, but I do have a hard time watching them.” “Resident Evil: The Final...
View ArticleClik here to view.
Michael Shannon, Gigi Pritzker add local names to Oscar noms
Two people with extremely close ties to Chicago were among those celebrating after the Oscar nominations were announced Tuesday morning. Veteran local theater actor Michael Shannon was a somewhat...
View Article
