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Hollywood for Grownups: Why Jude Law Was So ‘Happy’ When His Latest Film Wrapped
Plus Ted Danson reteams with Woody Harrelson, and the late Toby Keith gives back
(Left to right) Jude Law, Woody Harrelson, Ted Danson and the late Toby Keith.
AARP (Nina Westervelt/Getty Images; Gilbert Flores/Getty Images; Tammie Arroyo/Getty Images)
It’s always interesting when celebrities step out of their comfort zones — or step up to the plate for great causes.
Woody Harrelson, left, and Ted Danson.
Gilbert Flores/Getty Images
Ted Danson cheers about Woody Harrelson
Ted Danson, 76, always has a kind (or even humorous) anecdote to share about his Cheers costars. Take Woody Harrelson, 62, for example. At last week’s Environmental Media Association’s Impact Summit in L.A. (also attended by Hillary Clinton, 76), Danson of course addressed his longtime ocean activism with group Oceana. But he also hawked his new podcast: Where Everybody Knows Your Name: Hosted by Ted Danson — and Woody Harrelson (Sometimes). Why sometimes? “He’s a whimsical man,” laughed Danson of Harrelson. “I’d see him maybe 10 minutes a year. We decided if we did this, we could hang out more — I love the guy. But here’s a story: When Cheers was on fire, we could stroll into rehearsals a little late — maybe half an hour. Woody might be 45 minutes late. One day we’re waiting for him, and someone runs in: ‘Woody’s in Berlin! He had to see the wall come down!’ That’s Woody! At least he made it for the taping.”
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Jude Law as Henry VIII in "Firebrand."
Roadside Attractions/Courtesy Everett Collection
Jude Law loved losing that fat suit
Next time you see Jude Law, 51, on film — perhaps in Firebrand, which premiered last weekend — you will not recognize him. As Henry VIII, he’s swathed in a fat suit, bald cap, limping from gout (plus hours in the makeup chair). In the movie, the perennially charming actor had to beat sixth wife Catherine Parr (Oscar winner Alicia Vikander) repeatedly; she then suffers a miscarriage. “It was hard work, hard physical work,” he told AARP. “We talked it all out. Luckily Alicia really trusted me. But I was happy when this film wrapped. I don’t usually feel that way. But at this part of my career, I’m trying to challenge myself — and I am. The thing is, Henry’s one of the most captivating characters in English history.” And as far as you can get from Law’s handsome cad Dickie Greenleaf in 1999’s The Talented Mr. Ripley. His thoughts on the recent Netflix Ripley series? “I’m enjoying it — great material, wonderful actors, such an interesting character. It brought a lot back to me.”
The Late Toby Keith’s golf tournament raises 3 million dollars
Late country star Toby Keith hosted the Toby Keith & Friends Gold Classic for 19 years, benefiting OK Kids Korral, which funds kids with cancer. But the first fundraising gala following Keith’s passing this February at age 62 was especially poignant, and exceptionally fruitful. “There was a heaviness over the whole event this year,” a close family friend who was in attendance tells AARP. “You know, Toby’s death was pretty sudden. We all expected him to recover, so everyone who knew him is still really grieving. That’s why everyone came out and why everyone spent more money, because they wanted to honor Toby.” Eight hundred golfers, recognizing Keith’s huge affection for the game, showed up, along with family and friends who helped bring in a record $3.1 million haul, including $1.6 million from an auction that included custom guitars, a few painted by famed jazz guitarist Johnny Smith. Since its inception, the Classic has raised $20 million for children’s cancer treatments. The late singer/golfer will be honored in October with a posthumous induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.
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