Actress Close to join cast of 'Shield,' report says

Actress Close to join castof 'Shield,' report says
Looks like Glenn Close has developed a fatal attraction for cable.
The Oscar-nominated actress is joining the cast of FX's "The Shield" as the new captain of the Farmington precinct, reports TV Guide Online. Close will appear in all 13 episodes of the show's fourth season, which kicks off in March.
"Glenn is flat-out, hands-down one of the very best actresses on the planet," raves series creator Shawn Ryan. "We think this is an extremely unique, dynamic character that shakes our Shield world upside down over the course of the entire season."
In other TV news, ABC has given full-season orders to its two breakout rookie hits -- the twisted suburban soap "Desperate Housewives" and the survival drama "Lost," reports E!Online. The freshman series have helped boost ABC to its first strong showing in the ratings in at least four years.
Also benefiting from ABC's generosity is "Jimmy Kimmel Live," which has been reupped for a third season, keeping the comic gabbing on-air through 2005.
Performing for troops,Newton brings guests
BAGHDAD, Iraq -- Las Vegas mainstay Wayne Newton, belting out his trademark version of "Danke Schoen," entertained troops during a recent trip to a U.S. base in Baghdad, the U.S. military said.
Newton, along with special guests that included actor Rob Schneider and country singer Neal McCoy, spent nearly three hours at a 1st Cavalry division camp in the capital Tuesday.
They talked with troops, signed autographs, posed for pictures and shared a meal at the base camp's dining facility, a statement said.
Newton took over for entertainer Bob Hope two years ago as a celebrity figurehead on United Service Organizations tours, traveling around the world to headline entertainment shows for U.S. troops.
"Our purpose for the USO is to bring, obviously, a touch of home to our military men and women," Newton said. "And, to let them know they are not going to be disrespected when they get home."
Schneider echoed Newton's comments, saying, "This is a small thing that I could do, to make them laugh and just say, 'Hi,' and let them know America is behind them and we love them and hurry up and get home."
DNA tests confirm girlis Rossdale's daughter
Gwen Stefani has made no secret of her desire to have kids, but this probably isn't what she had in mind. The No Doubt frontwoman's British husband, Gavin Rossdale, has just learned he has a daughter, reports MSN.com.
DNA tests have reportedly confirmed that the Bush front man, 37, is the father of 15-year-old model Daisy Lowe (mom is London-based designer and singer Pearl Lowe).
"Yes, it's true, but out of respect to all parties concerned, I've no further comment," Rossdale said.
Stefani, who wed Rossdale in 2002, is said to be "devastated" by the news.
"Pearl has always had slight suspicions, but it only really occurred to her in the last six months that Gavin could actually be Daisy's dad," a source told London's Daily Mirror. "They only had a very brief fling way back when."
The insider adds, "It was never about getting Gavin's money or anything like that. It was about finding Daisy's real dad."
New Superman is cast,Variety magazine reports
DES MOINES, Iowa -- A little-known actor has been cast as Superman in a big-budget film slated for 2006, according to Variety magazine.
Brandon Routh, 25, of Norwalk, has appeared in the soap opera "One Life to Live" and just finished his first feature film, "Deadly."
He attended the University of Iowa and has had guest appearances on the television shows "Cold Case," "Gilmore Girls" and "Will and Grace." He also appeared on the third season of MTV's "Undressed."
Routh's father, Ron Routh, confirmed the Variety report but declined to further comment because his son has not signed a contract.
He said he's been told publicity about the movie won't happen until after it's shot. "Their motive is to keep the mystique up," he said.
Today's birthdays
Actress Joan Fontaine is 87. Actor Christopher Lloyd is 66. Actor Derek Jacobi is 66. Actor Tony Roberts is 65. Actress Annette Funicello is 62. Movie director Jan de Bont is 61. Actress Catherine Deneuve is 61. Rock musician Leslie West (Mountain) is 59. Mississippi Gov. Haley Barbour is 57. Actor Jeff Goldblum is 52. Actor Luis Guzman is 47. Country singer Shelby Lynne is 36. Reggae rapper Shaggy is 36. Rapper Tracey Lee is 34. Rock musician Zachary Hanson (Hanson) is 19. Actor Jonathan Lipnicki is 14.