NEWSMAKERS | ‘Spider-Man’ debut sells for $1.1 million

NEWSMAKERS

Spider-Man debut sells for $1.1 million

PHILADELPHIA

A comic collector has been caught in Spider-Man’s web, paying $1.1 million for a near-mint copy of “Amazing Fantasy” No. 15 that features the wall-crawler’s debut.

ComicConnect.com chief executive Stephen Fishler told The Associated Press on Tuesday that the Silver Age issue, first published in 1962, was sold Monday by a private seller to a private buyer.

It’s not the highest price ever paid for a comic book. That honor goes to Action Comics No. 1 with Superman on the cover, which went for $1.5 million.

But Fishler says the price paid is the most for a Silver Age-era book.

The cover shows Spider-Man clutching a villain in one arm and swinging from his web with the other. It originally sold for 12 cents.

Sheen co-worker defends fired star

LOS ANGELES

While CBS is keeping mum about Charlie Sheen, one of his co-stars has been speaking out and sharing kind words about the embattled actor.

“Two and a Half Men” star Holland Taylor defended the actor she has worked with since the show began in 2003.

“Charlie was cordial and polite with all of his cast mates and crew, sometimes even courtly — and always witty,” Taylor said Tuesday in an e-mail to The Associated Press. “We watched movies at his house occasionally — warm evenings with interesting, spirited conversation. This is the guy I know.

“In this very sad and complicated time, I really have no comment,” she continued, “beyond valuing my own history with Charlie, and my abiding affection for him.”

Sheen was fired from the hit CBS show Monday. Taylor is the first person connected to the show to publicly share thoughts on Sheen since his dismissal.

Kennedy Center gets another $10M gift

WASHINGTON

Billionaire philanthropist David Rubenstein is making a second $10 million gift in less than six months to the Kennedy Center in Washington to help reach younger and more economically diverse audiences.

The gift announced Tuesday makes Rubenstein, of Bethesda, Md., the largest single donor in the center’s history, with donations totaling $23 million.

Rubenstein became the center’s chairman last year and is co-founder of The Carlyle Group, a private- equity firm.

His gift funds programs to reach younger audiences, subsidizes ticket prices and devotes money for opera programs.

The center also is announcing its 2011-12 programming slate. It will include a festival of music from Budapest, Prague and Vienna and a street arts festival throughout Washington in 2012.

Bob Barker donates $2M to military fund

LOS ANGELES

Former TV game-show host Bob Barker is donating $2 million to a charity that helps injured members of the military and their families.

The former host of “The Price is Right” will donate to the Semper Fi Fund, which assists Marines, soldiers, sailors and Air Force and Coast Guard members who are injured during service.

A press statement says the donation will be made today at a ceremony in Hollywood.

Barker is a former World War II fighter pilot. He’s also an animal-rights activist and last year donated $2.5 million to help People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals open a new location in Los Angeles.

Vindicator wire services