hGeorge Lucas donates to build MLK memorial

hGeorge Lucas donatesto build MLK memorial
WASHINGTON -- George Lucas has donated $1 million to build a memorial to civil-rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. on the National Mall, backers of the project announced.
"The ideals and principles for which Dr. King fought have never been forgotten and are as relevant today as they were 40 years ago," Lucas said Thursday, adding that a memorial ensures King's message will endure for future generations.
Other notable supporters of the project include former Secretary of State Colin Powell and Jack Valenti, former president of the Motion Picture Association of America.
More than $40 million has been raised for the memorial, with $100 million needed to finish the project, organizers said.
Congress authorized the memorial in 1996, and groundbreaking is scheduled for late next year on a four-acre site near the Lincoln Memorial, where King delivered his "I Have a Dream" speech Aug. 28, 1963.
Pardon the interruption:Diaz helps lead lecture
STANFORD, Calif. -- Cameron Diaz surprised a class at Stanford University when the "Charlie's Angels" star helped lead a lecture on environmentally friendly design.
Diaz's appearance Thursday came as part of taping for an mtvU program called "Stand-In" in which celebrities teach a class. On Tuesday, Madonna lectured students at New York's Hunter College.
A champion of environmental causes, Diaz served as a sidekick for friend and renowned environmental architect William McDonough, a consulting professor at Stanford.
"He's very charismatic, captivating," Diaz said of McDonough, who Time magazine once called "Hero for the Planet." "Bill is one of those people who is thinking big, but is also producing."
Students gasped and giggled when Diaz interrupted the class during McDonough's lecture, and later lined up to snap pictures with the actress on their cell phones.
Diaz, 33, stars in the recently released "In Her Shoes."
Who tops list of icons?Fab 4 -- yeah, yeah, yeah
NEW YORK -- Sorry Johnny, Oprah and Madonna -- you just missed the cut.
Variety ranks the top 10 entertainment icons of the century in a new commemorative issue marking the trade publication's 100th anniversary. The Beatles were dubbed the No. 1 icon in the issue, which is on newsstands.
Following the Fab Four, the top 10 is rounded out by Louis Armstrong, Lucille Ball, Humphrey Bogart, Marlon Brando, Charlie Chaplin, James Dean, Marilyn Monroe, Mickey Mouse and Elvis Presley.
Variety also lists 90 more icons, though not ranked. It includes Frank Sinatra, Cary Grant, Bob Dylan, the Marx Brothers, Johnny Carson, Oprah Winfrey, Madonna and others.
Bugs Bunny did not make Variety's list, but Pac Man did. The most contemporary choices were Kurt Cobain, Tupac Shakur and Quentin Tarantino.
The lone animal named an icon? Lassie, much to Alf's dismay.
Singer Taylor to receivePerson of the Year award
SANTA MONICA, Calif. -- James Taylor will be honored as the 2006 MusiCares Person of the Year for a career that spans nearly four decades and for his efforts to promote children's health and the environment.
Taylor will be honored Feb. 6 at the group's annual dinner, held by The Recording Academy in the week leading up to the Grammys, it was announced Thursday.
"MusiCares and The Recording Academy take great pride in honoring James Taylor as an extraordinary human being, musician and humanitarian who has made a global impact on music and culture," Neil Portnow, president of the MusiCares Foundation and the academy, said in a statement.
Taylor, 57, has earned 40 gold, platinum and multiplatinum awards for songs ranging from 1970s' "Sweet Baby James" to the 2002 Grammy-nominated "October Road."
He has served as a board member of the Natural Resources Defense Council and supported research on issues such as juvenile diabetes.
The MusiCares Foundation was founded by the Academy in 1989 to help musicians in need. This year, the Academy and MusiCares have pledged $1 million for musicians and others in the music industry affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
Notable death
Steven Peck, a choreographer, dancer and actor who performed in more than 100 television shows and movies, died Oct. 9. He was 76.
Peck died of cancer at his home, said his wife, Cynthia.
He was a choreographer for singer-actor Tommy Sands when he was chosen to play Shirley MacLaine's boyfriend in the 1958 film "Some Came Running." He played Sylvester Stallone's father in "Rhinestone" and danced the tango in "The Godfather: Part II."
Today's birthdays
Movie director Philip Kaufman is 69. Soccer great Pele is 65. Author Michael Crichton is 63. Rhythm-and-blues singer Barbara Ann Hawkins (The Dixie Cups) is 62. Actor Michael Rupert is 54. Movie director Ang Lee is 51. Jazz singer Dianne Reeves is 49. Country singer Dwight Yoakam is 49. Movie director Sam Raimi is 46. Parodist "Weird Al" Yankovic is 46. Rock musician Robert Trujillo (Metallica) is 41. Rhythm-and-blues singer David Thomas (Take 6) is 39. Rock musician Brian Nevin (Big Head Todd and the Monsters) is 39. Country singer-musician Junior Bryant is 37. Country singer Jimmy Wayne is 33. Actor Ryan Reynolds is 29. Actress Masiela Lusha ("George Lopez") is 20.