'Pretty easy for me to be naked,' Sharon Stone says

'Pretty easy for me to benaked,' Sharon Stone says
BERLIN -- Sharon Stone, who returns as the seductive Catherine Tramell in "Basic Instinct 2," says she has no problem doing a nude scene -- if it's right for the role. "It's pretty easy for me to be naked," the 48-year-old actress said Wednesday. "I'm a person who feels that if it's appropriate for the character I'm playing or the mood of the piece, then it's no big thing." Stone is famously known for her "leg crossing" scene in 1992's "Basic Instinct," which also starred Michael Douglas. The actress said she wouldn't object to her children seeing the movies -- but added that it's not going to be anytime soon. "When they're old enough to see that kind of material, then they're old enough to see that kind of material," said Stone, who has two young sons. Stone, who was nominated for a best actress Oscar for 1995's "Casino," said she was happy that she didn't try to lie about her age to get roles after she turned 40.
Julianne Moore to starin 'Vertical Hour' on stage
NEW YORK -- Julianne Moore will return to the New York stage in the world premiere of "The Vertical Hour" by British playwright David Hare. Moore will portray a former American war correspondent turned college professor who meets an older man while on vacation in Wales. The play will open Nov. 30 at a Broadway theater to be announced. It will be directed by Sam Mendes, whose stage work includes the long-running Broadway revival of "Cabaret," "The Blue Room" starring Nicole Kidman, and the Bernadette Peters revival of "Gypsy." The announcement was made Wednesday. Moore's screen credits include roles in "Far From Heaven," "The End of the Affair," "Boogie Nights" and "The Hours," which has a screenplay by Hare. Her last New York stage appearance was in "Vanya on 42nd Street" in 1992. Mendes won the best-director Oscar for "American Beauty." "The Vertical Hour" will be the first time Hare, who also wrote "Plenty," "Amy's View," "The Blue Room," "Skylight" and "The Judas Kiss," has premiered a play in the United States. "Stuff Happens," Hare's Iraq-war drama, is now in previews at off-Broadway's Public Theater. It opens April 13.
Hometown post officeto be renamed for actress
SMITHFIELD, N.C. -- The Smithfield Post Office is now the Ava Gardner Post Office. President Bush signed legislation Monday to rename the post office in honor of the Oscar-nominated actress, who grew up in Johnston County. "Ava Gardner was a small-town girl who became a big-time celebrity," said Rep. Bob Etheridge, D-N.C., who sponsored the bill to rename the post office. Gardner was nominated for a best-actress Oscar for 1953's "Mogambo." Her films also include "The Night of the Iguana" and "On the Beach." She had a series of high-profile marriages, to Mickey Rooney, Artie Shaw and Frank Sinatra. The actress died in 1990, at age 67.
Camilla is 'thrilled' bysatire magazine's award
LONDON -- The wife of Britain's Prince Charles said she was "lost for words" at being named "Spouse of the Year" by a satirical magazine for older readers. The former Camilla Parker Bowles said Tuesday she regretted being unable to attend the awards ceremony organized by The Oldie magazine because she was on "spousing duties" in "some far-flung corner of the globe." Her speech was read by friend and author Jilly Cooper. The royal couple began a tour of the Middle East on Monday. Cooper said Camilla, who became the Duchess of Cornwall when she married Charles last year, was "absolutely knocked out, thrilled to bits" to receive the award.
Today's birthdays
Comedian Marty Allen is 84. Singer-producer Ric Ocasek is 57. Singer Chaka Khan is 53. Actress Amanda Plummer is 49. Actress Hope Davis is 42. Actor Richard Grieco is 41. Country musician Kevin Griffin (Yankee Grey) is 41. Rock singer-musician Damon Albarn (Blur) is 38. Actress-singer Melissa Errico is 36. Rock musician John Humphrey (The Nixons) is 36. Actress Keri Russell is 30. Actress Nicholle Tom is 28. Country singer Paul Martin (Marshall Dyllon) is 28.