Arraignment for Butler postponed till Aug. 18

July 4, 2009 at 12:00a.m.

Arraignment has been postponed until Aug. 18 for “300” actor Gerard Butler, who has been charged in Los Angeles with misdemeanor battery for a scuffle with a paparazzo.

Prosecutors say the Scottish-born actor had a run-in with a photographer last year after a premiere party for the film “RocknRolla.” Butler’s manager, Alan Siegel, says Butler was forced to have his driver stop the car after the photographer sped through red lights and almost struck two pedestrians. Butler, star of this summer’s “The Ugly Truth,” faces up to six months in jail if convicted.

Ferlin Husky hospitalized with possible pneumonia

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A spokesman for country star Ferlin Husky says the singer has been hospitalized in Tennessee.

Tracy Pitcox, president of Heart of Texas Records, said the 83-year-old was admitted to the critical- care unit of Summit Medical Center in Hermitage on Thursday.

Pitcox said he had an accelerated heart rate and possible pneumonia, and doctors were treating him for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Pitcox said he was very weak and tests were to be performed through the weekend.

Husky was hospitalized in April with congestive heart failure and pneumonia after a monthlong tour in Texas.

Husky was country music’s top entertainer in the early 1960s with hits such as “Wings of a Dove” and “Gone.” His latest album, released in 2007, is called “The Way It Was.”

Katie Holmes to star in milestone ‘Dance’ episode

Katie Holmes will help a good cause and pay homage to screen legend Judy Garland with a starring turn on Fox’s “So You Think You Can Dance” in celebration of the show’s 100th episode, set to air July 23.

“She absolutely adores dancing, as does her daughter,” says executive producer Nigel Lythgoe, who adds that Tom Cruise’s better half has been rehearsing till late evening, with breaks to spend time with her 3-year-old, Suri.

Lythgoe says the show, inspired by Garland’s song “Get Happy” from the 1950 musical “Summer Stock,” will feature Holmes in Garlandic attire. She’ll wear “the jacket, the little hat,” Lythgoe says. “It’s just an iconic look. And Katie Holmes has got the legs. Wow!”

Holmes will dedicate her star turn to the Dizzy Feet Foundation, which supports dance education in America.

Today’s birthdays

Actress Gloria Stuart is 99. Conductor Mitch Miller is 98. Advice columnist Abigail Van Buren is 91. Actress Eva Marie Saint is 85. Actress Gina Lollobrigida is 82. Playwright Neil Simon is 82. Singer Bill Withers is 71. Actress Karolyn Grimes (Zuzu in “It’s A Wonderful Life”) is 69. TV talk show host Geraldo Rivera is 66. Percussionist Ralph Johnson of Earth, Wind and Fire is 58. Percussionist Domingo Ortiz of Widespread Panic is 57. Singer John Waite is 54. Guitarist Kirk Pengilly of INXS is 51. Steel guitarist Teddy Carr (Ricochet) is 49. Singer Michael Sweet of Stryper is 46. Bassist Matt Malley (Counting Crows) is 46. Singer Stephen “Ste” McNally of BBMak is 31. Actress Becki Newton (“Ugly Betty”) is 31.