July 27, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Richard Cartwright(INDIANA) — Regis Philbin will reportedly be laid to rest at his alma mater, Notre Dame university, an institution he remained passionate about throughout his life. 

University spokesman Dennis Brown told Indiana’s South Bend Tribune that Philbin, who died Friday at 89 of natural causes, will have a funeral service at the Basilica of the Sacred Heart and be buried at Cedar Grove Cemetery on campus. 

No date has yet been given for the event.

Philbin was an enthusiastic Notre Dame supporter in the years since he graduated back in 1953, returning for football games and chairing fundraisers and other events.

In 2001, the paper reports the former Live! With Regis and Kathy Lee host gave $2.75 million to the university to create the Philbin Studio Theatre, which is used by performing arts students.

Upon hearing news of Philbin’s death, University President Rev. John I Jenkins said in part, “Regis regaled millions on air through the years, oftentimes sharing a passionate love for his alma mater with viewers. He will be remembered at Notre Dame for his unfailing support for the University and its mission, including the Philbin Studio Theater…He likewise was generous with his time and talent in support of South Bend’s Center for the Homeless and other worthy causes.”

By Stephen Iervolino
Copyright © 2020, ABC Audio. All rights reserved.

July 27, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

ABC/Rick Rowell(LOS ANGELES) — Greece can officially count actor Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson as their newest citizens.  The two were handed their brand new official Greek passports over the weekend.

The announcement came from Greece’s Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, who made the surprise revelation to Instagram on Sunday and even posed for a photo op with the celebrity couple.

“@ritawilson @tomhanks are now proud Greek citizens!,” The Greek PM happily celebrated in the caption.

The nighttime photo shows Wilson and Hanks flashing their shiny new crimson passports as they huddle close to Mitsotakis and his wife Mareva Grabowski.

It shouldn’t be all that surprising that the celebrity couple sprung for full Greek citizenship, given that Wilson is of Greek descent on her mother’s side.  Her familial roots were put on display during an episode of Who Do You Think You Are?

The two even own a home own the Grecian island Antiparos and vacation there from time to time — most recently for Hanks’ 64th birthday, as reported by People.

In addition, the Greyhound actor was made an honorary Greek Citizen last December.

Now that the two are full citizens, the country has since offered complete citizenship to their entire family.

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

July 27, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Warner Bros. — Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for WIRED(NEW YORK) — On this day 80 years ago, Bugs Bunny made his official screen debut in the Tex Avery short A Wild Hare. To mark this occasion, ABC Audio caught up with Eric Bauza, who not only voices Bugs, but also Daffy Duck, Marvin the Martian, and Tweety in HBO Max’s new Looney Tunes toons.

“You know, in Hollywood, to be that long in the industry is quite an accomplishment,” Bauza laughs, “And to be voicing him in my inaugural year, I mean, I’ve been voicing Bugs Bunny since I was nine. You know, in front of the TV…”

Bauza deconstructed the unmistakable voice for us, explaining he’s standing on the shoulders of its originator, Mel Blanc. “It’s such a weird voice because, yeah, you have that bassyness to this to it there, that great — and then there’s the nasaly quality together. And then you slap on the New York accent. And it’s like, oh, my gosh. Off to the races.”

Bauza explains he tries to bring out his favorite aspect of Blanc’s portrayal. “What I miss most about the performance that Mel Blanc left behind was the amount of energy that he had. There’s moments in cartoons [where] ‘He talks like this,'” the actor says, imitating the rabbit. “But then he’s like [shouting] ‘OOH I’M DYIN!!’ You know, like that weird stuff that doesn’t even sound like Bugs. That’s the stuff that as a kid, I’d be like, woah, where did that come from?!” 

Bauza explains, “Being a fan as a child and now being a father of a four year old…my son and I watch it together….So getting to not just be Bugs, but to be part of the exposure to a new generation…is something that I’ll never forget.”

July 27, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Greg Doherty/Getty Images(LOS ANGELES) — After taking time coming to grips with Naya Rivera’s July 8 accidental drowning, ex-husband Ryan Dorsey broke his silence on Saturday regarding her death.

Posting a tender photo of Naya and their four-year-old son Josey in the sunset, Dorsey called her passing “unfair.”

“There’s not enough words to express the hole left in everyone’s hearts,” The 37-year-old actor continued. “I can’t believe this is life now. I don’t know if I’ll ever believe it.”

Remarking how his last memory of her was of them “in the back swimming with Josey” the day before her disappearance, Dorsey admitted that he is still struggling to find the right words to honor Rivera.

“I’m thankful for our times and our journey that brought us together and gave us the sweetest and kindest smart little boy we could ever hope for,” the Ray Donovan alum expressed, adding how he is now glad he annoyed his ex-wife by taking incessant Snapchat videos of their times together.

“I have hundreds and probably thousands of snaps and videos that Josey will have forever and know his momma loved him more than life, and how much fun we had together as he was growing up,” Dorsey continued. “Life is all about good times and bad times but with Josey it makes the bad a little less so because a part of you will always be with us.”

He concluded with “We will always love you. Love you Meep,” before thanking those who have checked in on and supported his family. 

Dorsey imparted some wisdom in relation to Rivera’s death, like “be kind to yourself” and choose forgiveness over grudges. 

Overall, he implored, “Cherish the times you have with those you care about.”

Dorsey and Rivera were married for four years.  They divorced in 2018.

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

July 27, 2020 • No Comments • Entertainment News

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney(LOS ANGELES) — Natalie Portman may be small now but she plans on getting “jacked” for her upcoming role as Thor in Thor: Love and Thunder.

During an Instagram Live with tennis star Serena Williams, the 39-year-old actress shared a few tidbits about the Marvel character she’s gearing up to portray, starting with her name.

“She’s actually The Mighty Thor,” she clarified. “The comics had the female Thor when Jane becomes Thor, and she’s The Mighty Thor.”

Portman, who will be the first female to take on the role, added that she is “very excited” for Thor: Love and Thunder. She also revealed that, after being postponed due to the COVID-19 outbreak, it’s now set to begin shooting in Australia in early 2021, which she’s thankful for since it gives her more time to bulk up. 

“We haven’t started. More time to get jacked. Which I have not,” she admitted. “I’ve got the carbo-loading down, but not the exercise part.”

“I’m interested to see if I can gain muscle,” she added. 

While on the topic of Marvel, Portman confessed that Valkyrie, played by Tessa Thompson, will also appear in Thor: Love and Thunder and it just so happens to be her favorite Marvel character. 

“Major love for that woman,” she gushed.