NEWSMAKERS

NEWSMAKERS

Actor, TV host Gary Collins dies at 74

BILOXI, MISS.

Gary Collins, an actor, television show host and former master of ceremonies for the Miss America Pageant, died Saturday, authorities said. He was 74.

Collins, a resident of Biloxi, Miss., died of natural causes just before 1 a.m. Saturday after he was admitted Friday evening to Biloxi Regional Medical Center, according to Harrison County Coroner Gary Hargrove.

During the 1980s, Collins hosted the Miss America pageant and the television shows “Hour Magazine” — for which he won a Daytime Emmy in 1983 — and “The Home Show.”

As an actor, he appeared in numerous movies and was a fixture on television in the 1960s and 1970s, playing a variety of guest roles in comedies and dramas including “Perry Mason,” “The Love Boat” and “Ironside,” among others.

Collins was married to former Miss America and Mississippi native Mary Ann Mobley.

Some charges dropped in Madonna case

NEW YORK

A New York City judge has dismissed weapons charges against a former firefighter arrested outside Madonna’s apartment building two years ago.

Police say Robert Linhart parked his SUV outside the Material Girl’s Central Park West apartment, laid out a tarp and spray-painted poster boards with love notes. One said “Madonna, I need you.” Another read, “Tell me yes or no. If it’s yes, my dream will come true. If it’s no, I will go.”

The New York Post reports that Manhattan state Supreme Court Judge Analisa Torres ruled Friday that police improperly seized a gravity knife and an ice pick from Linhart when they arrested him.

A resisting-arrest charge is still pending.

Linhart’s lawyer, Lawrence LaBrew, says Linhart maintains his innocence.

Libel trial to focus on Spears’ meltdown

LOS ANGELES

Britney Spears’ darkest days are about to be revisited in a Los Angeles courtroom, but not by the pop singer. Instead jurors will begin hearing testimony this week on claims by Spears’ former manager that he was vilified and unfairly blamed for the singer’s public meltdown more than four years ago. Spears’ parents are defendants and will likely testify, but the panel won’t hear directly from the Grammy winner.

Former Spears confidanteSFlbSam Lutfi is seeking millionsSFlbfrom Spears and her family,SFlbclaiming her mother’s book lied about him drugging and isolating the pop star. He is seeking a portion of the singer’s profits, claiming he was a key player in her 2007 album “Blackout” and had the right to serve as her manager for years.

Associated Press