Oprah is still the richest
Oprah is still the richest
NEW YORK -- Surprise, surprise. Grass is green, the world is round and Oprah Winfrey is the richest woman in entertainment.The talk-show titan, who's amassed 1.5 billion over the course of her impressive career, has bested "Harry Potter" author J.K. Rowling and lifestyle guru Martha Stewart to take the No. 1 spot on Forbes.com's list of "The 20 Richest Women in Entertainment." Rowling, who is finishing the seventh and final installment in her boy wizard series, ranks second with 1 billion. Stewart is third with 638 million. Madonna ranks fourth with 325 million, followed by Celine Dion ( 250 million), Mariah Carey ( 225 million), Janet Jackson ( 150 million), Julia Roberts ( 140 million), and Jennifer Aniston and Jennifer Lopez (both 110 million). Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen, the twin actresses who started out on the '80s comedy "Full House" and created a multimedia empire, Dualstar Entertainment Group, are No. 11 with an estimated "combined net worth at around 100 million," Forbes said. They're followed by Britney Spears, Judge Judy Sheindlin of TV's "Judge Judy," Sandra Bullock, Cameron Diaz, Gisele Bundchen, Ellen DeGeneres, Nicole Kidman, Christina Aguilera and Renee Zellweger. Forbes said these rich ladies needed a minimum net worth of 45 million amassed over the course of their careers to make the list. It was posted Thursday on the Web site.
Trump faces flag fines
WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- Officials in the ritzy coastal town of Palm Beach have voted to fine Donald Trump 1,250 a day for flying a large American flag atop an 80-foot flagpole at his lavish club in violation of town codes. Code enforcement officials have accused the 60-year-old real-estate mogul of violating zoning guidelines with a flagpole taller than 42 feet, for not obtaining a building permit, and for not getting permission from the landmarks board. Trump has refused to take down the flag. He has also filed a 25 million lawsuit against the town arguing, in part, that officials are selectively enforcing ordinances and that flying the American flag at his Mar-A-Lago club is a constitutionally protected expression of free speech.
'Anatomy' star apologizes
LOS ANGELES -- The heated controversy at ABC's top show, "Grey's Anatomy," boiled over Thursday as the network rebuked co-star Isaiah Washington for an anti-gay comment and Washington issued a lengthy apology. During a backstage interview Monday at the Globes gala, Washington denied involvement in a heated on-set incident in October during which an anti-gay remark was reportedly uttered. "No, I did not call (co-star) T.R. (Knight) a faggot," Washington told reporters. In his apology Thursday, Washington acknowledged repeating the word Monday night. "I apologize to T.R., my colleagues, the fans of the show and especially the lesbian and gay community for using a word that is unacceptable in any context or circumstance. I marred what should have been a perfect night for everyone who works on 'Grey's Anatomy.' I can neither defend nor explain my behavior. I can also no longer deny to myself that there are issues I obviously need to examine within my own soul, and I've asked for help."
Today's birthdays
Country singer Slim Whitman is 83. Comedian Arte Johnson is 78. Former astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin is 77. Movie director David Lynch is 61. Rock musician Paul Stanley (KISS) is 55. Rock musician Ian Hill (Judas Priest) is 55. Comedian Bill Maher is 51. Actor Lorenzo Lamas is 49. Actor James Denton ("Desperate Housewives") is 44. Country singer John Michael Montgomery is 42. TV personality Melissa Rivers is 39. Actor Rainn Wilson ("The Office) is 39. Singer Edwin McCain is 37. Rap musician ?uestlove (questlove) (The Roots) is 36. Rock musician Rob Bourdon (Linkin Park) is 28.