NEWSMAKERS

August 18, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

NEWSMAKERS

Celebrity surgeon killed in car crash

VENTURA, Calif.

Authorities say celebrity plastic surgeon Dr. Frank Ryan has died after his vehicle barreled down a cliff near Malibu.

The California Highway Patrol says Ryan’s 1995 Jeep Wrangler went off the side of Pacific Coast Highway and landed on its roof Monday afternoon.

The 50-year-old Ryan performed multiple plastic surgeries this year on actress Heidi Montag. His website includes a long list of testimonials from celebrities such as Vince Neil and Lorenzo Lamas.

The Ventura County medical examiner’s office says an autopsy was scheduled later Tuesday. He says no cause of death has been established.

Lawsuit over Nirvana catalog sale settled

LOS ANGELES

Court records show a management firm and Courtney Love have settled a $1 million lawsuit over the profits of the sale of Nirvana’s publishing catalog.

Love is the widow of former Nirvana singer Kurt Cobain. London & Co. sued Love two years ago, claiming she failed to share the earnings of a deal in which sold a portion of Nirvana’s catalog for nearly $20 million.

Court records show attorneys for London & Co. and Love told a judge last Wednesday that they had settled and the case was dismissed.

The Hole frontwoman has controlled many of the rights to Cobain and Nirvana’s work since his suicide in Seattle in 1994.

Love’s attorney, James Janowitz, confirmed the settlement but gave no details.

Apple co-founder on ‘Big Bang Theory’

LOS ANGELES

Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak, who has danced with the stars and dated talk-show host Kathy Griffin, now has a cameo on CBS’ “The Big Bang Theory.”

On his Facebook page, Wozniak revealed that he would guest-star on an episode of the popular sitcom but declined to give away any details about the episode. His Face-book status: “What’s it like to film an episode of ‘Big Bang Theory’? I’ll let you know tonight, but not what the episode is about.”

“The Big Bang Theory,” which is about a group of geeks who are obsessed with science, computers and video games, has already showcased a favorite showbiz geek, “Star Trek’s” Wil Wheaton. So who better to follow that act than Wozniak, the legendary computer engineer?

The new season premieres Sept. 23.

Erykah Badu pays fine for stripping

DALLAS

A city spokesman says singer Erykah Badu has paid a $500 fine and will serve six months of probation for stripping during a music video shoot at Dealey Plaza in Dallas, where President John F. Kennedy was fatally shot in 1963.

Badu performed a striptease March 13 for her “Window Seat” music video. The video ends with a nude Badu falling to the ground as if she has been shot.

Police in April cited her for disorderly conduct after a witness made a sworn complaint. A number of children were among the tourists and other random passers-by seen on the video.

Dallas city spokesman Frank Librio says Badu paid the fine Friday.

Fantasia is back promoting new CD

NEW YORK

A week after an overdose, Fantasia is back to promoting her new album.

In a statement Monday, Fantasia said she “can’t thank my fans enough for their prayers and support during such a challenging time.”

The singer overdosed on aspirin and other pills at her home in Charlotte, N.C., last week.

Her manager says she wasn’t trying to kill herself, but police believed they were responding to a suicide attempt. The overdose came days after a woman accused Fantasia in court documents of having an affair with her husband.

The former “American Idol” winner will make TV appearances, including stops at “Good Morning America” and “Live with Regis & Kelly.” The CD, “Back to Me,” is out Tuesday.