newsmakers

newsmakers

‘The Equalizer’ debuts with $35 million

New York

Flexing his star power, Denzel Washington led the thriller “The Equalizer” to a $35 million debut, according to studio estimates Sunday.

The Sony-Columbia Pictures release dominated the weekend box office, surpassing some expectations for the film. Washington plays a former commando living a quiet life in Boston when the disappearance of a prostitute acquaintance (Chloe Grace Moretz) lures him into a battle with the Russian mafia.

Estimated ticket sales for Friday through Sunday at U.S. and Canadian theaters, according to Rentrak:

1. “The Equalizer,” $35 million ($17.8 million international).

2. “The Maze Runner,” $17.5 million ($27.5 million international).

3. “The Boxtrolls,” $17.2 million ($5.1 million international).

4. “This Is Where I Leave You,” $7 million.

5. “Dolphin Tale 2,” $4.8 million.

At Rape Foundation brunch, Fonda tells of mother’s abuse

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.

Jane Fonda told an audience of activists and philanthropists that her mother had been sexually abused and eventually committed suicide.

Fonda made the personal revelation at an event celebrating the 40th anniversary of the Rape Treatment Center, which provides comprehensive free treatment for sexual-assault victims. She hosted the Rape Foundation’s annual fundraising brunch Sunday at billionaire Ron Burkle’s Greenacres estate in Beverly Hills.

Fonda said she discovered while writing her memoirs that her mother had been sexually abused as a girl. Fonda said that learning this helped her understand some of her mother’s behavior before her ultimate suicide when Fonda was 12.

David Schwimmer and Eric McCormack also appeared at the event, where guests included Viola Davis, Emmy Rossum and Lily Tomlin.

Leah Remini, Jennifer Lopez hit in car crash

MALIBU, Calif.

Authorities say an SUV carrying actress Leah Remini and singer Jennifer Lopez and her two kids, was rear-ended by a suspected drunken driver who then fled the scene.

Los Angeles county Sheriff’s Sgt. Philip Brooks says Remini was driving Lopez’s SUV at about 8 p.m. Saturday and stopped at a traffic light near the 22700 block of Pacific Coast Highway in Malibu. Their vehicle was rear-ended by a pickup truck. No one was injured.

The drivers got out of their vehicles to assess the minor damage and were about to exchange information when the man got into his truck and drove off.

Deputies stopped him a short distance away. He was arrested and booked on suspicion of drunken driving and hit and run.

Brooks didn’t have the man’s name. TMZ first reported the crash.

Associated Press