A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN
Congrats to Hollywood A-lister and all-around nice guy Tom Hanks for his latest cinematic honor. Hanks was feted by the American Film Institute and received this year’s Life Achievement Award at a star-studded ceremony at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. He joins a prestigious list of past recipients including fellow Malibuites Barbra Streisand and the late Jack Lemmon, as well as James Cagney, Orson Wells, Steven Spielberg, Gregory Peck and Billy Wilder.
At 45, Hanks is the youngest star to receive the prize, a fact not lost on Steve Martin who called it “The AFI Mid-Life Achievement Award.”
Hanks isn’t just one of the industry’s most popular actors, but at $20 million per flick, he’s also one of the highest paid. His rise to fame reads like a Hollywood screenplay. With little formal training, he hit the small screen in the ’70s and ’80s, appearing in TV sitcoms like “Taxi,” “Family Ties” and “The Love Boat.” Then, after a one-shot guest appearance on “Happy Days,” he made a splash with Ron Howard in 1984. Hanks read for a secondary part in the director’s movie about a man who falls in love with a mermaid, wound up with the lead and never looked back. Tom went on to star in a string of comedy hits including “Dragnet,” “Big,” “That Thing You Do” and “Sleepless in Seattle.” It wasn’t long before he branched out into serious dramatic roles in films like “Cast Away” and “Saving Private Ryan,” as well as Oscar-winners “Philadelphia” and “Forrest Gump.”
The AFI award was presented by pal Steven Spielberg. Hanks was clearly moved, noting that he had been “blessed beyond definition.” He thanked the crowd with his special gee-whiz brand of charm, saying “you guys are so swell.”
JOHNNY B. GOODE
Billy Gibbons, Ivan Neville and Mac Davis were on hand to salute three of the music world’s living legends. The top honors went to Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and Little Richard at the 50th Annual BMI Awards.
The tremendous trio were hailed as the founding fathers of popular music and the men who put the soul into rock ‘n’ roll.
ISN’T IT SMASHING
Andre Agassi steps up to the net once again for a swing at the Mercedes-Benz Cup. L.A.’s premiere tennis event will take place July 19-28 at UCLA. Agassi, who defeated Pete Sampras in last year’s final, will square off against Australian Open Champ Thomas Johansson, three-time French Open star Gustavo Kuerten and No. 1 ranked Lleyton Hewitt. The pros will also be on hand for the annual Night at the Net Fundraiser, which always proves to be a smashing success. Proceeds from the Mercedes-Benz Cup benefit the Southern California Tennis Association and UCLA. Night at the Net delivers a good return for the MusicCares financial assistance program.A LEAGUE OF HIS OWN
Congrats to Hollywood A-lister and all-around nice guy Tom Hanks for his latest cinematic honor. Hanks was feted by the American Film Institute and received this year’s Life Achievement Award at a star-studded ceremony at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood. He joins a prestigious list of past recipients including fellow Malibuites Barbra Streisand and the late Jack Lemmon, as well as James Cagney, Orson Wells, Steven Spielberg, Gregory Peck and Billy Wilder.
At 45, Hanks is the youngest star to receive the prize, a fact not lost on Steve Martin who called it “The AFI Mid-Life Achievement Award.”
Hanks isn’t just one of the industry’s most popular actors, but at $20 million per flick, he’s also one of the highest paid. His rise to fame reads like a Hollywood screenplay. With little formal training, he hit the small screen in the ’70s and ’80s, appearing in TV sitcoms like “Taxi,” “Family Ties” and “The Love Boat.” Then, after a one-shot guest appearance on “Happy Days,” he made a splash with Ron Howard in 1984. Hanks read for a secondary part in the director’s movie about a man who falls in love with a mermaid, wound up with the lead and never looked back. Tom went on to star in a string of comedy hits including “Dragnet,” “Big,” “That Thing You Do” and “Sleepless in Seattle.” It wasn’t long before he branched out into serious dramatic roles in films like “Cast Away” and “Saving Private Ryan,” as well as Oscar-winners “Philadelphia” and “Forrest Gump.”
The AFI award was presented by pal Steven Spielberg. Hanks was clearly moved, noting that he had been “blessed beyond definition.” He thanked the crowd with his special gee-whiz brand of charm, saying “you guys are so swell.”
JOHNNY B. GOODE
Billy Gibbons, Ivan Neville and Mac Davis were on hand to salute three of the music world’s living legends. The top honors went to Chuck Berry, Bo Diddley and Little Richard at the 50th Annual BMI Awards.
The tremendous trio were hailed as the founding fathers of popular music and the men who put the soul into rock ‘n’ roll.
ISN’T IT SMASHING
Andre Agassi steps up to the net once again for a swing at the Mercedes-Benz Cup. L.A.’s premiere tennis event will take place July 19-28 at UCLA. Agassi, who defeated Pete Sampras in last year’s final, will square off against Australian Open Champ Thomas Johansson, three-time French Open star Gustavo Kuerten and No. 1 ranked Lleyton Hewitt. The pros will also be on hand for the annual Night at the Net Fundraiser, which always proves to be a smashing success. Proceeds from the Mercedes-Benz Cup benefit the Southern California Tennis Association and UCLA. Night at the Net delivers a good return for the MusicCares financial assistance program.