Archuleta gets record deal

Archuleta gets record deal

SALT LAKE CITY — David Archuleta has a job lined up once his “American Idol” tour is over — not that there was any doubt.

The 17-year-old “Idol” runner-up has signed a deal with 19 Recordings/Jive Records, according to a post on the Web site of the label managed by “Idol” creator Simon Fuller.

David Cook, 25, a former bartender from Blue Springs, Mo., won the “American Idol” title May 21.

Patrick Swayze to begin shooting new cable series

NEW YORK — Patrick Swayze is going back to work.

The “Dirty Dancing” actor, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year, will begin shooting his new A E series “The Beast” in Chicago this summer, the cable network announced Monday.

A E ordered 13 episodes of the one-hour drama, which stars Swayze, 55, as an unorthodox FBI agent who trains — and hazes — his new partner (played by Travis Fimmel).

Scholarship created in Heath Ledger’s name

LOS ANGELES — Heath Ledger was known for giving aspiring Australian actors a hand in Hollywood. Now, an Australian film organization has established a scholarship fund in the late actor’s name to continue those efforts.

“There’s an entire tribe of Australians who have all benefited from his generosity,” said Susie Dobson, president of Australians in Film, or AiF. “This [scholarship] captures Heath’s spirit and serves our mission to help and celebrate Australian filmmakers.”

Today's birthdays

Singer Vic Damone is 80. Actor-singer Jim Nabors is 78. Sports announcer Marv Albert is 67. Singer Len Barry is 66. Drummer Bun E. Carlos of Cheap Trick is 57. Country singer-guitarist Junior Brown is 56. Singer-songwriter Rocky Burnette is 55. Actor Timothy Busfield is 51. Singer Meredith Brooks is 50. Actress Jenilee Harrison (“Dallas,” “Three’s Company”) is 50. Accordionist-keyboardist John Linnell of They Might Be Giants is 49. Rapper Grandmaster Dee of Whodini is 46. Blues guitarist Kenny Wayne Shepherd is 31. Singer Robyn is 29.