Wednesday, February 15, 2006
Ferrigno joins departmentas a reserve deputy
LOS ANGELES -- The Incredible Hulk is now a reserve deputy in the county sheriff's department. Lou Ferrigno, 54, who played the green-skinned monster on the CBS TV show from 1977-82, was sworn in during a ceremony Monday night. "My father was a police officer with the New York Police Department; I've always had a high respect for officers," Ferrigno told The Associated Press. "I want to give back to the community, and I want to work with young kids, help them get off drugs." Ferrigno began training to become a reserve deputy last September after passing a background check. He completed training in firearms, first aid and high-speed driving techniques and was recognized as "an outstanding trainee" by Sheriff Lee Baca. Ferrigno will serve at least 20 hours a month, help recruit new deputies and work with the sheriff's Youth Activities League and the Special Victims Bureau, which assists abused children. Ferrigno was a bodybuilder before he starred on the TV show. The late actor Bill Bixby played mild-mannered scientist David Bruce Banner who, as Ferrigno, turned into a Herculean, green-skinned monster whenever he lost his temper. He switched back to Bixby's character as soon as he calmed down. In recent years, Ferrigno has appeared as himself on the CBS sitcom "The King of Queens."
Coroner: Enlarged hearthelped cause Penn's death
LOS ANGELES -- Actor Chris Penn died accidentally from an enlarged heart and the effects of a mix of multiple medications, the county coroner's office said Monday. "There is absolutely no indication that this is anything but an accident," chief coroner investigator Craig Harvey said. Penn, 40, the younger brother of Sean Penn, was found dead in his Santa Monica condominium Jan. 24, but the results of his autopsy and toxicology tests were not released until Monday. The primary cause of death was "nonspecific cardiomyopathy," an oversized heart, with the "effects of multiple medication intake," according to a statement issued by the coroner's office. "We know he had several prescriptions, including promethazine with codeine, which featured predominantly in his death," Harvey said. Promethazine with codeine is known as a highly addictive prescription medication. Promethazine is an antihistamine that prevents vomiting, while codeine suppresses coughing and relieves pain, Harvey said. A full coroner's report with further details will be available in a few weeks, Harvey said. Penn's heart weighed 700 grams, a few hundred grams more than an average heart. Harvey said Penn was not taking heart medication at the time of his death. Penn appeared in such films as "Reservoir Dogs," "Rush Hour," "Starsky & amp; Hutch" and "Corky Romano."
Notable death
an actor who played Luke Skywalker's loving but doomed Uncle Owen in "Star Wars," has died of pneumonia. He was 89. Brown died Thursday at the Motion Picture and Television Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, said his wife, Ginny.
Today's birthdays
Actor Kevin McCarthy is 92. Actor Allan Arbus is 88. Country singer Hank Locklin is 88. Former U.S. Rep. John Anderson, R-Ill. is 84. Comedian Harvey Korman is 79. Actress Claire Bloom is 75. Author Susan Brownmiller is 71. Songwriter Brian Holland is 65. Rock musician Mick Avory (The Kinks) is 62. Jazz musician Henry Threadgill is 62. Actress Jane Seymour is 55. Singer Melissa Manchester is 55. "Simpsons" creator Matt Groening is 52. Musician Mikey Craig (Culture Club) is 46. Country singer Michael Reynolds (Pinmonkey) is 42. Actor Michael Easton is 39. Actress Renee O'Connor is 35. Actress Sarah Wynter is 33. Rock singer Brandon Boyd (Incubus) is 30. Actress Ashley Lyn Cafagna-Tesoro is 23.