Burt Bacharach postpones concerts after surgery

January 5, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

LOS ANGELES — A publicist says Burt Bacharach is postponing several concerts as he recovers from back surgery.

Publicist Linda Dozoretz says the 81-year-old singer is recovering at a hospital after the New Year’s Eve surgery.

Dozoretz says Bacharach’s prognosis is excellent, but he will need to postpone scheduled concerts through mid-March.

Performances in Australia, New Zealand and Palm Beach, Fla., will be rescheduled for later in this year or early next year.

Bacharach most recently performed Dec. 19 in Italy.

Actor Emile Hirsch joins trek up Mount Kilimanjaro

LOS ANGELES — Emile Hirsch is on his way to Africa to climb the continent’s highest peak.

The “Milk” and “Into the Wild” star is joining Jessica Biel, Lupe Fiasco, Isabel Lucas and Elizabeth Gore for a weeklong trek up Mount Kilimanjaro. The Summit on the Summit expedition, which begins Thursday, aims to use star power to help raise awareness about the need for clean water worldwide.

The 24-year-old Hirsch says the climb combines “an epic adventure with an educational process on the global water crisis.” Fans can follow the climb online and donate as little as a dollar to provide clean water to those who need it.

Hirsch says he’s ready for the more-than-19,000-foot challenge, saying, “Put this on the books: I’m making it to the top.”

‘Early Show’ co-host announces her pregnancy

NEW YORK — Maggie Rodriguez of CBS’ “The Early Show” is expecting her second child.

She announced her pregnancy on Monday’s show. Rodriguez said to co-host Harry Smith, weather forecaster Dave Price and newsman Russ Mitchell: “You guys are going to be uncles!”

Rodriguez has a 4-year-old daughter, Daniella. Her husband, Michael Rodriguez, is a marketing executive at the Telemundo television network. Their baby is due in July.

Matthew McConaughey, girlfriend have 2nd baby

DALLAS — Actor Matthew McConaughey and his girlfriend have announced the birth of their second child — a baby girl.

The actor says on his Web site that Vida Alves McConaughey was born Sunday. She weighs 7 pounds, 7 ounces.

McConaughey says his girlfriend, model Camila Alves, is “recovering wonderfully” and the couple welcomed “this little lady into our family.”

The couple had a son, Levi, in 2008.

McConaughey spokesman Alan Nierob confirmed the Web posting in an e-mail Monday.

Today’s birthdays

Actor Robert Duvall is 79. Talk-show host Charlie Rose is 68. Actress Diane Keaton is 64. Drummer George “Funky” Brown of Kool and the Gang is 61. Guitarist Chris Stein of Blondie is 60. Actress Pamela Sue Martin (“The Poseidon Adventure,” “Dynasty”) is 57. Actor Clancy Brown (“Highlander,” voice of Mr. Krabs on “SpongeBob SquarePants”) is 51. Singer Marilyn Manson is 41. Actress January Jones (“Mad Men”) is 32.