newsmakers

newsmakers

Billy Joel mending after hip replacements

NEW YORK

Billy Joel is recovering from double hip- replacement surgery.

Joel spokeswoman Claire Mercuri told People magazine that the 61-year-old pop star had both hips replaced last week to correct a congenital condition.

She says Joel, the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer responsible for such hits as “Piano Man,” “Uptown Girl” and “New York State of Mind,” is doing “extremely well.”

Joel toured this year and was recently promoting the documentary film “The Last Play at Shea.” There’s no word on when he plans to perform on stage again.

Brody: No alternative but to sue producers

LOS ANGELES

Adrien Brody says he was reluctantly forced to sue the makers of a thriller film because they failed to pay his full salary.

U.S. District Judge Dale S. Fischer blocked the sale or use of Brody’s likeness in “Giallo” until the Oscar winner’s remaining salary is paid. The judge noted in her ruling that the actor was likely to prevail in his $2 million lawsuit against the filmmakers.

“At no point did I ever wish to be involved in a legal dispute, but after over a year of attempting to resolve this matter, I was left with no other alternative,” Brody said in a statement released to The Associated Press by his attorney.

The actor sued Hannibal Pictures and U.K.-based Giallo Productions Ltd. in October, shortly before “Giallo” went on sale in the United States. In a sworn declaration, Brody claimed the filmmakers lied to him about the movie’s financing and how much its Italian distribution rights were worth.

The picture was shot in 2008 in Turin, Italy, and Brody is featured prominently on the DVD’s cover.

Brody said he was grateful for the ruling.

“I am greatly appreciative of the court’s ruling, which protects me and shows support for all artists who have been manipulated and taken advantage of by unscrupulous employers,” his statement said.

Brody, 37, won an Oscar in 2003 for his role in “The Pianist.”

According to the lawsuit, he agreed to defer some of his salary payments for “Giallo” after its producers informed him the film was having financial problems.