Jackie Chan museum planned in Shanghai

July 12, 2008 at 12:00a.m.

HONG KONG — Jackie Chan’s Web site says construction has begun on a museum for the action movie star in the Chinese financial capital Shanghai.

A statement published Friday says the 54-year-old attended a ceremony marking the start of work earlier this week.

The museum will house props and costumes from Chan’s movies, photos and other memorabilia, the Web site said. Construction is scheduled to finish in October 2009.

Olivia Newton-John marries businessman

LOS ANGELES — He’s the one that she wants.

Olivia Newton-John, who starred in the hit movie version of the musical “Grease,” has married, it was announced Thursday.

Newton-John wed John Easterling on June 21 in Cuzco, Peru, said a statement from the Reno, Nev., office of attorney John Mason. Other details were not released.

A statement on Newton-John’s official Web site Thursday said the couple had a private ceremony, followed by a second ceremony on Jupiter Island in Florida the following week.

“Family and friends were told about the nuptials at a barbecue on July 4, 2008, in a private celebration at the singer’s home in Malibu, Calif.,” the statement said. The announcement said it was the second marriage for both.

Easterling, 56, who has been nicknamed “Amazon John,” is the founder and chief executive officer of Amazon Herb Co., which sells botanical supplements from the rainforest. The business is based in Jupiter, Fla.

Newton-John, 59, has been involved with Amazon preservation efforts.

Lee takes Jackson to task over Obama comments

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — Spike Lee says the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s crudely phrased criticism of Barack Obama won’t affect the Democrat’s campaign, which the filmmaker expects to succeed at bringing “seismic” change to the world.

“I don’t think his [Jackson’s] comments help anybody. It’s just unfortunate,” Lee said after taking part in a Television Critics Association panel.

Lee predicted Obama would be elected in November.

“When that happens, it will change everything. ... You’ll have to measure time by ‘Before Obama’ and ‘After Obama,’” Lee said during the panel. “It’s an exciting time to be alive now.”

The presidency of the first black will ripple throughout arts, sports and more, said Lee, whose films include “Malclom X” and “Do the Right Thing.”

“Everything’s going to be affected by this seismic change in the universe,” he said.

Lee attended the TV group’s annual summer session to discuss documentaries he’s making for ESPN Films, including one about Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers.

Today’s birthdays

Pianist Van Cliburn is 74. Actor-comedian Bill Cosby is 71. Singer Christine McVie of Fleetwood Mac is 65. Actress Denise Nicholas (“In the Heat of the Night”) is 64. Actor Jay Thomas is 60. Singer Walter Egan is 60. Fitness guru Richard Simmons is 60. Actress Cheryl Ladd is 57. Gospel singer Sandi Patty is 52. Actress Mel Harris (“thirtysomething”) is 52. Guitarist Dan Murphy of Soul Asylum is 46. Singer Robin Wilson of the Gin Blossoms is 43. Actress Lisa Nicole Carson (“Ally McBeal”) is 39. Country singer Shannon Lawson is 35. Rapper Magoo is 35. Actress Anna Friel (“Pushing Daisies”) is 32. Singer Tracie Spencer is 32. Actor Steve Howey (“Reba”) is 31. Actor Topher Grace (“That ’70s Show”) is 30. Actress Michelle Rodriguez (“Lost”) is 30. Actor Erik Per Sullivan (“Malcolm in the Middle”) is 17.