September 10, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Scott Eisen/Getty Images(NEW YORK) — Three years after accusing Kevin Spacey of sexual assault, Star Trek actor Anthony Rapp is finally taking Spacey to court, according to documents obtained by Deadline.

The complaint, filed Wednesday in New York state court, alleges Rapp “sustained psychological injuries,” causing him to suffer “mental anguish, emotional and psychological damage.”

Rapp filed the verified complaint with an unidentified fellow plaintiff.  Both teens at the time of the alleged assaults, Rapp and the other plaintiff, identified as “C.D.,” are seeking unspecified compensatory and punitive damages from the disgraced actor.

“Kevin Spacey sexually abused Mr. Rapp and another gentleman, who needs to remain anonymous, when they were 14 years old,” the plaintiffs’ lawyer Peter Saghir told Deadline on Wednesday. “Spacey’s conduct was not only improper and abusive, but it was a crime,” added Saghir, who is representing the duo, along with Ben Rubinowitz.

“In bringing this action under New York’s Child Victims Act, Mr. Rapp, who previously came forward to Buzzfeed about the abuse, and our client who needs to remain anonymous have taken the first step to hold Spacey accountable,” Saghir continued.  “This lawsuit sends a strong message that no matter how wealthy, powerful or famous you may be you are not above the law.  Our clients are looking forward to their day in Court and to obtaining justice for a crime that never should have happened.”

Spacey was terminated from his Netflix series House of Cards in 2017 after Rapp accused him of making sexual advances on him when the Rent star was just 14.  Since then, other young men have come forward — including at least 20 at London’s famed Old Vic Theatre alone — accusing Spacey of acting inappropriately and worse.

By George Costantino
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

September 10, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Steven Ferdman/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — If you needed further proof that 2020 is a year like no other, enter Rick Moranis.  The elusive actor, who largely withdrew from the public eye in the mid-90s, made a surprise appearance alongside Ryan Reynolds for a new phone commercial… of all things.

Reynolds had a major announcement Wednesday regarding Mint Mobile, of which he is the CEO, so he needed to go big.

The Honey, I Shrunk the Kids star assisted Reynolds in announcing Mint’s newest option, an unlimited data plan.  So, what’s the connection between the new cellular option and an elusive comedy legend?

As the Deadpool actor explained in the commercial, Mint Mobile had gone too long without an unlimited option, so he required “an actor we’ve all gone too long without” to help introduce it.

However, Moranis still seemed confused as to why he was there in the first place.

“So, what do you want me to do?  Say something about Mint?” The 67-year-old comedy legend inquired, only to have Reynolds admit through a sigh, “Ah…No.  That would have been smart.”

Following the Detective Pikachu star’s pitch regarding the new data plan, Moranis agreed that it “sounds good” but let it slip that he’s “really gotta get a phone.”

Upon pressing Reynolds to come clean as to why he’s really in a phone commercial, the embarrassing truth finally came out. 

Turns out, Reynolds a “massive” fan and used the commercial as an excuse to finally meet his idol face to face, which causes Moranis to wave goodbye and awkwardly sidestep off screen.

Thankfully, this won’t be the last time fans get to see the 90s movie icon.  Moranis is set to reprise his role in the upcoming Honey, I shrunk the Kids sequel, as reported by Deadline.

By Megan Stone
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

September 10, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

SGranitz/WireImage(LOS ANGELES) — When Halle Berry made history becoming the first Black woman to win Best Actress at the 2002 Academy Awards for Monster’s Ball, she truly believed that she was the first of many Black women to receive the honor.  

Nearly 20 years later, however, Berry is still the only Black actress to have won it, which she calls a “heartbreak.”

In an interview with Variety, the Bruised actress opened up about why it blows her mind that no other woman of color has won Best Actress to date.

“I thought Cynthia [Erivo] was going to do it last year. I thought Ruth [Negga] had a really good shot at it too” said Berry, referencing the 2019 film Harriet and 2016’s Loving, respectively.

Continued the 54-year-old Emmy winner, “I thought there were women that rightfully, arguably, could have, should have. I hoped they would have, but why it hasn’t gone that way, I don’t have the answer.”

Understandably, Berry struggles to process how she is still the only Black actress to win Best Actress.

“It’s one of my biggest heartbreaks,” she admitted. “The morning after, I thought, ‘Wow, I was chosen to open a door.’ And then, to have no one … I question, ‘Was that an important moment, or was it just an important moment for me?'”

“I wanted to believe it was so much bigger than me,” the Kidnap star furthered. “It felt so much bigger than me, mainly because I knew others should have been there before me and they weren’t.”

Still, she does “feel like there’s a turning point,” especially with more women sitting in the director’s chair and hopes that will lead to a more diverse cast of winners at next year’s Academy Awards.

The 2021 Oscars are set for Sunday, April 25.

By Megan Stone
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

September 10, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — Million Dollar Baby star Hilary Swank is taking legal action against SAG-AFTRA after claiming their health plan refused to cover treatment for her malignant ovarian cysts.

According to the court docs obtained by People, the 46-year-old actress alleges that their “antiquated, barbaric” health plan denied covering her treatment, which she says reflects a much larger problem in the health insurance industry as a whole.

Swank was first diagnosed with ovarian cysts in 2008 after her “left ovary was destroyed and removed during emergency surgery.”

According to the suit, SAG-AFTRA’s health insurance first “stopped allowing Swank’s claims for treatment of ovarian cysts” in 2015.

When speaking with People, the actress said her suit is just one of many examples of the many shortcomings when it comes to protecting women’s health.

In a statement, the two-time Academy Award winner said she’s “truly exhausted by the way women’s ovarian and cyclical health issues continue to be treated by healthcare insurance companies.”

“I have experienced it in my own life, and I continually read about it across social media and in the press,” she continued. “Their policies are antiquated, barbaric and primarily view the role of women’s organs solely as a means for procreation.”

By launching a suit, Swank hopes “to create change for all woman suffering from women’s health issues that have to battle with insurance companies who diminish the significance of their problems, don’t believe the patient (or their doctor’s) explanations surrounding their suffering, and severely preclude coverage to only incredibly limited services and procedures.”

Saying she wants to be a voice for women wronged by the health industry, Swank remarked, “It’s time we are treated fairly.”

The SAG-AFTRA Health Plan has not commented publicly on the suit.

September 9, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Rick Rowell (LOS ANGELES) — Kelly Ripa and her husband Mark Consuelos have found their next project. 

Through their media brand Milojo Productions, the couple has entered a new partnership with Lifetime to produce two films for the network’s Ripped From the Headlines series that portrays true-crime stories based on real-life events, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

The pair of films will debut in 2021, with specific details set to be announced at a later date.

“As longtime true crime fans, there is nothing more thrilling than tuning into a Lifetime original movie,” Kelly and Mark share in a statement. “We are so excited to be working with Paul [Buccieri], Tanya [Lopez], and their incredibly talented team to bring these ‘Ripped from the Headlines’ stories to the screen.”

Founded in 2009, Milojo Productions is behind several documentaries, including ESPN’s The Streak and Off the Rez on TLC, in addition to being connected to other docs such as Cheer and Masters of Reception. 

The company is currently producing the true-crime series Exhumed on Oxygen. 

Previous “Ripped From the Headlines” films include The Craigslist Killer, The College Admissions Scandal and I Am Elizabeth Smart.  

By Cillea Houghton
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.