It's official: Daniel Craig to step in as new 007

It's official: Daniel Craigto step in as new 007
LONDON -- Blond. James Blond.
Daniel Craig, a 37-year-old, sandy-haired Englishman was introduced Friday as the new James Bond, ending months of speculation. He'll star in "Casino Royale," directed by Martin Campbell, due out next year.
"I had a couple of martinis when I found out," said Craig, who replaces Pierce Brosnan in the role of the suave spy.
Craig is the first blond actor and only the second Englishman to star as Agent 007 in the movie series. His selection was revealed as he was whisked down the Thames River on Friday aboard a military boat to a waterside news conference.
Producer Michael G. Wilson said 200 actors had been considered for the role, but Craig was the only one who had been offered it. Craig said he only found out Monday that he definitely had the part.
Speculation about the new Bond had also included Clive Owen, Ioan Gruffudd, Colin Firth, Hugh Grant, Gerard Butler, Ewan McGregor, Colin Farrell, Hugh Jackman, Heath Ledger and Eric Bana.
Relatively unknown outside Britain, Craig appeared in the landmark 1990s British TV drama "Our Friends in the North" and in films including "The Mother," "Enduring Love" and "Layer Cake."
His screen credits also include "Road to Perdition," "Sylvia" and this year's thriller "The Jacket" with Adrien Brody. He is now filming another thriller, "The Visiting," with Nicole Kidman.
A boy for 'Blossom' star
LOS ANGELES -- Mayim Bialik, star of the 1990s' sitcom "Blossom," and her husband are parents of a baby boy, her manager said Thursday.
Bialik's manager, Judy Coppage, confirmed Tuesday's birth. It's the first child for the 29-year-old actress and her husband, Michael Stone, People magazine reported.
No additional details were immediately available.
Bialik starred as Blossom Russo on the hit NBC show, which debuted in 1991. More recently, she has done voiceover work on "Kim Possible: The Secret Files" and "X2: Wolverine's Revenge."
Ex-manager testifies
LOS ANGELES -- Ronald Isley's former tour manager testified Thursday at his tax evasion trial that the singer asked that a portion of his performance fees be paid in "cash money."
Prosecutors have alleged the Isley Brothers lead singer evaded income taxes by cashing his dead brother's royalty checks, buying cars for his personal use with money from a business account and making under-the-table cash payments to his band members.
If convicted, the 64-year-old singer could face up to 26 years in prison. The trial began Wednesday.
Today's birthdays
Economist John Kenneth Galbraith is 97. Historian Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. is 88. Singer Barry McGuire is 70. Actress Linda Lavin is 68. Actress-director Penny Marshall is 63. Rock musician Don Stevenson (Moby Grape) is 63. Singer-musician Richard Carpenter is 59. Actor Victor Banerjee is 59. Tennis player Roscoe Tanner is 54. Singer Tito Jackson is 52. Actor Jere Burns is 51. Actress Tanya Roberts is 50. Britain's Duchess of York, Sarah Ferguson, is 46. Chef Emeril Lagasse is 46. Rock musician Mark Reznicek (Toadies) is 43. Singer Eric Benet is 35. Actor Vincent Martella ("Everybody Hates Chris") is 13.