newsmakers

October 13, 2010 at 12:00a.m.

newsmakers

Douglas’ health worries director

BERLIN

Director Oliver Stone says he is worried about the health of actor Michael Douglas, who is battling throat cancer in an advanced stage. Stone said Tuesday in Berlin that Douglas is in a “precarious” state of health.

He said Douglas, who reprised his role as stock trader Gordon Gekko in Stone’s latest film “Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps,” was meant to accompany him on a promotion tour in Europe. But Stone said Douglas is still “suffering” and remained in the U.S. for further cancer treatments.

The 65-year-old Douglas said in August he is battling throat cancer, but he attended the film’s premiere in New York three weeks ago. Stone’s newest film is a sequel to the 1987 “Wall Street,” for which Douglas won an Academy Award.

Eminem, Lady A lead AMA nominees

LOS ANGELES

Eminem and Lady Antebellum lead nominees for the 38th annual American Music Awards with five nods each. Teen heartthrob Justin Bieber has four nominations, while Katy Perry, Ke$ha, B.o.B. and Usher have three each.

Singers Demi Lovato and Taio Cruz made the announcement Tuesday in Los Angeles.

Eminem and Bieber are each up for favorite pop/rock artist and album, and the rapper also is nominated for favorite artist and album in the rap/hip-hop category. Both Bieber and Eminem are also nominated for artist of the year, along with Perry, Ke$ha and Lady Gaga.

Lady Antebellum is nominated for favorite band, duo or group in the pop/rock and country categories, along with favorite country album, favorite adult contemporary artist and the breakthrough artist award.

The American Music Awards will be presented Nov. 21 at the Nokia Theatre and broadcast live on ABC.

Richter to join O’Brien on TBS talk show

NEW YORK

When Conan O’Brien debuts his new, late night talk show on TBS, he’ll have an old friend and colleague by his side. Andy Richter will serve as sidekick on “Conan.” Richter said he’s “thrilled” to be working with O’Brien, and he’s most exited about “getting out of the house again.”

O’Brien added, “This decision was made without my authority. ... I will get to the bottom of this.”

“Conan” will premiere Nov. 8 at 11 p.m. on TBS.

Christina Aguilera, husband separate

LOS ANGELES

Christina Aguilera and her husband of nearly five years have separated. The “Beautiful” singer said in a statement released Tuesday that she and husband Jordan Bratman’s commitment to their 2-year-old son remains “as strong as ever.”

The Grammy Award winner’s statement did not indicate when the couple split or whether either would file for divorce.

Court records in Los Angeles do not show any filing by either Aguilera or Bratman. The couple married in November 2005.

Ben Harper seeks divorce from Dern

LOS ANGELES

Court records show musician Ben Harper has filed for divorce from Laura Dern after nearly five years of marriage. The Grammy Award-winning Harper signed and filed the divorce petition Friday in Los Angeles. He is seeking joint custody of their two children and says the couple separated in January.

Courteney Cox, Arquette separate

LOS ANGELES

Courteney Cox and David Arquette announced Monday they have been separated for some time but said they remain committed parents and “best friends.” The actors released a joint statement announcing what they are calling a trial separation.

Cox, 46, and Arquette, 39, met on the set of the film “Scream” in 1996 and married three years later. They have a 6-year-old daughter together.