Douglas: Being a celebrity can help spread new ideas

Douglas: Being a celebritycan help spread new ideas
DAVOS, Switzerland -- Michael Douglas knows that those who attend the World Economic Forum can move mountains and make mounds of money. But a little star power -- be it Bono, Angelina Jolie or Peter Gabriel -- never hurts. "It's an impressive group, to say the least, that covers a broad spectrum," said the 61-year-old actor-producer, adding that the free-flow nature of the event promotes dialogue in a friendly environment. "People seem to let their hair down a little bit and loosen their ties. And there is a lot of give and share that's going on both in front on the panels and behind," Douglas told The Associated Press. "So it's a learning experience for me and, I guess my from end, I hope they will recognize as they have from Bono's efforts and others, that many of us on the entertainment side can talk about the issues," he said. Douglas won a best-actor Oscar for his role in 1987's "Wall Street." He also has starred in "Fatal Attraction," "Traffic" and "Wonder Boys," among other films. As for using celebrity to advance causes, Douglas said that can be a double-edged sword. "We obviously help fund raising a whole lot, and as spokespersons you bring the issue on the table as a message of peace from the United Nations talking about disarmament, in particular areas [like] weapons of mass destruction, nuclear disarmament," he said. "People tend to get an audience from television when celebrities are involved. That helps. The danger is when you get in over your head and then you lose your credibility."
Wilsons of The Supremeswarns copycat groups
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- A former member of Motown group The Supremes has a warning for copycat musical groups: Stop, in the name of fraud. Mary Wilson has urged Illinois lawmakers to make it illegal for impostors to perform as original artists. Wilson's visit was part of a national campaign to get bills passed in several states that would ban knockoff groups. The goal is to eventually make it a federal law, she said. "They've crossed the line between imitation and flattery to becoming almost like identity theft," Wilson told a House committee recently. The committee later unanimously endorsed a bill that will be sent to the House for a full vote. South Carolina and North Dakota have passed similar laws. Wilson, who sang with Diana Ross in the 1960s trio, said she has filed several civil lawsuits against groups claiming to be The Supremes. But she lost all the cases, she said, "because there were no laws to protect me." Many early performers no longer have rights to their work or famous names because of the language in contracts they signed, said Bob Crosby, president of the Vocal Group Hall of Fame in Sharon, Pa., one of the groups behind the campaign.
Once again, Cruise topslist of moneymakers
LOS ANGELES -- Tom Cruise led a poll of movie exhibitors aimed at determining the top 10 moneymaking stars of 2005. Cruise, who appeared in last year's "War of the Worlds," has won the annual survey by Quigley Publishing Co. seven times, Arnold Robinson, the actor's publicist, said late las week. Tom Hanks, Clint Eastwood, Burt Reynolds and Bing Crosby have all snatched the No. 1 spot five times. The Quigley Poll, conducted every year since 1932, asks motion picture exhibitors to vote for the 10 stars who generated the most box-office revenue for their theaters. Johnny Depp finished second in the 2005 poll. Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt tied for third, followed by Vince Vaughn, George Clooney, Will Smith, Reese Witherspoon, Adam Sandler and last year's winner, Tom Hanks.
It's Super Bowl No. 5for Hank Williams Jr.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Hank Williams Jr., whose rendition of "Are You Ready for Some Football?" has greeted "Monday Night Football" viewers for 16 years, will make his fifth Super Bowl appearance. Williams was in Los Angeles last week filming the opening introduction to the 2006 Super Bowl between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Seattle Seahawks. "Not many people can say they have performed during five Super Bowl openings," Williams said in a statement. "I am so happy to have been part of the ABC family since 1989, and with my love for football, this was a win-win partnership." Williams said he'll attend the Super Bowl in Detroit next Sunday with one of his rowdy friends and root for the Steelers. "My rowdy rebel son Kid Rock and I will be making some noise in Michigan ... everyone should be listening," he said. "Monday Night Football" is moving to the ABC-owned ESPN cable network next season. The move falls on a year when Williams' contract is up for negotiation, and it is still uncertain whether he will continue as the show's musical host, Williams spokesman Kirt Webster said.
Today's birthdays
Actor John Forsythe is 88. Actor Noel Harrison is 72. Author Germaine Greer is 67. Actress Katharine Ross is 66. Actor Tom Selleck is 61. Actor Marc Singer is 58. Actress Ann Jillian is 56. Rock musician Tommy Ramone (Ramones) is 54. Rock musician Louie Perez (Los Lobos) is 53. Talk-show host Oprah Winfrey is 52. Actress Diane Delano is 49. Actress Judy Norton Taylor ("The Waltons") is 48. Rock musician Johnny Spampinato (NRBQ) is 47. Olympic gold-medal diver Greg Louganis is 46. Rock musician David Baynton-Power (James) is 45. Rock musician Eddie Jackson (Queensryche) is 45. Actor Nicholas Turturro is 44. Rock singer-musician Roddy Frame (Aztec Camera) is 42. Actor-director Edward Burns is 38. Actress Heather Graham is 36. Actor Sharif Atkins is 31. Actress Sara Gilbert is 31. Actor Andrew Keegan is 27. Actor Jason James Richter is 26. Blues musician Jonny Lang is 25.