Paparazzi rile model over DeCaprio visit

Paparazzi rile model
over DeCaprio visit

JERUSALEM — After Leonardo DiCaprio’s visit earlier this year resulted in a scuffle with journalists, Bar Refaeli says she will no longer bring her famous friends to Israel. The Israeli media have closely followed the 22-year-old supermodel and DiCaprio with a hint of pride that a local girl snagged an A-list Hollywood beau. When Refaeli brought DiCaprio to Israel in March, the couple created a paparazzi storm. After eluding journalists for days, they were met by a group of waiting photographers in Jerusalem. Their bodyguards scuffled with photographers, punching some and damaging equipment. “I won’t bring anyone famous to Israel because there is a chutzpah here that you won’t see anywhere else,” Refaeli said in comments published Tuesday in the Yediot Ahronot daily. Refaeli also said she has no regrets about dodging mandatory military service and announced that she’s moving to Los Angeles. “I don’t regret not having been drafted into the army, because I made out big,” Refaeli said. While military service has historically been a rite of passage in Israel, a growing number of youths, including several prominent celebrities, have figured out ways to avoid it.

Springsteen opens tour

HARTFORD, Conn. — It wasn’t just any Tuesday in Connecticut. It was officially “Bruce Springsteen Day.” Springsteen and his E Street Band were to open their first tour since 2002 at the Hartford Civic Center on Tuesday night. They’re promoting their new album, “Magic.” Gov. Jodi Rell issued a proclamation honoring the multiple Grammy winner for his contributions to American music and declared Oct. 2 as “Bruce Springsteen Day in Connecticut.” “Magic” is the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer’s first album with his longtime bandmates since the Sept. 11-inspired “The Rising” in 2002.

Honors for ‘Taxi’ writer

STOCKHOLM, Sweden — Paul Schrader, who gained his breakthrough with the script for “Taxi Driver,” will receive a lifetime achievement award at this year’s Stockholm International Film Festival. The 61-year-old writer-director is being recognized for his “unique voice, which gives life to sharp, relentless characters in a modern city,” festival organizers said Tuesday. “With the linguistic brilliance of a screenwriter and a director’s eye for visuals, Paul Schrader has helped advance the cinematic medium for over three decades,” organizers said. Schrader will receive the Bronze Horse award Nov. 18. His films as a director include “American Gigolo,” “Cat People” and “Mishima — A Life in Four Chapters.” Last year’s Bronze Horse winner was Swedish director Lasse Hallstrom. Previous winners also include Oliver Stone, Roman Polanski, David Lynch, Lauren Bacall and Gena Rowlands. The 10-day film festival starts Nov. 15.

Today’s Birthdays

Author Gore Vidal is 82. Rock ’n’ roll star Chubby Checker is 66. Actor Alan Rachins is 65. Magician Roy Horn is 63. Singer Lindsey Buckingham is 58. Blues singer Keb’ Mo’ is 56. Baseball Hall of Famer Dave Winfield is 56. Actor Jack Wagner is 48. Rock musician Tommy Lee is 45. Actor Clive Owen is 43. Singer Gwen Stefani (No Doubt) is 38. Rock singer G. Love is 35. Actress Neve Campbell is 34. Singer India.Arie is 32. Rapper Talib Kweli is 32. Actress-singer Ashlee Simpson is 23.