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Fox, LaBeouf among hottest stars under 25
Michael Cera, Dakota Fanning also on MovieFone's annual list

Actress Megan Fox has been named one of the 25 Hottest Actors Under 25 by MovieFone.

The 22-year-old beauty topped the list, her second appearance on the annual run down thanks to not only her breakout role in "Transformers," but her upcoming repertoire of films including "How to Lose Friends and Alienate People" alongside British funnyman Simon Pegg.

"I honestly believe that Megan is here to stay," "How To Lose" director Robert Weide told MovieFone. "She'll constantly surprise people by her range. Anyone who thinks she's just a pretty face is going to be surprised in the same way they were when Michelle Pfeiffer proved she really was an actress."

"Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist" star Michael Cera also nabbed a top spot thanks to the super success of starring roles in movies including "Superbad," and "Juno."

"Harry Potter's" Emma Watson, at 18, was a first timer to the annual run down. The 18-year-old Brit nabbed a spot thanks to not only three upcoming "Potter" films, but what MovieFone predicts will be a break out role in 2009's "Napoleon and Betsy."

The now high school aged Dakota Fanning was also a new entry to the Hottest 25 Actors Under 25 club. She netted points for her roles in "The Secret Life of Bees," and an upcoming part in a sci-fi film, "Push."

"Dakota's talent is limitless," "Bees" director, Gina Prince-Bythewood told Moviefone. "She has crazy chops, great instincts, a ridiculous work ethic, a true love of acting and a great family."

"Mamma Mia's" blue-eyed beauty Amanda Seyfriend was also a first timer for the list thanks to her breakout role in the big screen version of the ABBA-inspired musical, opposite Meryl Streep.

And after the success of this past weekend's box office topper "Eagle Eye," Shia LaBeouf's appearance on the list was also fitting.

"Shia is genuine and very real," his "Eagle Eye" director D.J. Caruso told MovieFone. "He's the good looking guy next door, he's your best friend next door, he's a little bit of everything. He's been blessed with that."

Zac Efron, the lone "High School Musical" star to make the cut landed a spot on the list for the second year in a row for not only playing "HSM's" hearththrob Troy Bolton, but his upcoming parts in "Seventeen Again," with Matthew Perry, and "Me and Orson Welles."

Other young stars who also made the list included Keira Knightley, Daniel Radcliffe, Blake Lively, Ellen Page, "Superbad's" Christopher Mintz-Plasse, Miley Cyrus and former Access Hollywood.com Rising Star's Saoirse Ronan and Emma Stone.

Megan Fox was also a previous AccessHollywood.com Rising Star.

DiCaprio: 'I Want to Get Married and Have Children'
By Dotson Rader
PARADE

"I feel like a whole era in my life is over," Leonardo DiCaprio tells me. He's dressed in baggy jeans and a blue polo shirt, with a blue baseball cap backward on his head. Tall and lanky, he's one of the world's biggest box-office stars, making $20 million a picture. But today he looks more like a young guy who just came in from doing yard work. He looks unhappy and tired.

"My grandma died last week," he says quietly, explaining his pensiveness. "I have no more grandparents. I feel that coming ahead in my life is more stripping away, for sure. I feel very sad that Oma is gone."

"Oma" was his maternal grandmother, Helene Idenbirken. Leonardo, 33, attended her funeral in Germany and just arrived back in Los Angeles. He carries aviator sunglasses in his pocket, and when he goes outside later today, he will put them on and pull his cap down over his face. "It's my paparazzi repellent," he explains. He is in no mood for tabloid cameras.

"I always loved being with Oma," he says. "She was completely pure, honest, unaffected, so unlike anything else that I was ever used to. She was my barometer of truth." Helene and her husband, a coal miner in the Ruhr Valley, and their daughter — Leonardo's mom, Irmelin — were World War II refugees who suffered greatly. "Sometimes I'd ask Oma, 'Isn't it great now, all this stuff happening in my life?'" he tells me. "She'd say, 'Don't you worry about that. Take a break. Be a bricklayer. Work with your hands. You'll love it. Step back and reflect on what's going on in your life. Appreciate it.'"

DiCaprio leans across the table and grips my arm. "I do appreciate it," he assures me. "I know how lucky I am."

Leonardo began his show-business career as a child model in Los Angeles, appearing in commercials before graduating to roles in sitcoms such as "Growing Pains." He was the only child in a troubled marriage. His mother, now 63, was a legal secretary, and his father, George, 65, was an underground comic-book distributor. When Leonardo was 7 months old, his parents divorced.

"My parents never tried to steer me in any direction," he tells me. "I wanted to be an actor, but I never thought it was a real possibility, ever. I thought I'd be a marine biologist, because nature and evolution fascinated me."

So, why did he become an actor? "We're all after love, aren't we? Love is what people are hungry for.

That's absolutely why I became an actor," he admits.

In his new movie, "Body of Lies," Leonardo plays a CIA agent up against terrorists. Directed by Ridley Scott and co-starring Russell Crowe, it opens Oct. 10. DiCaprio's films invariably get Oscar buzz, and he's received three nominations for his work in "What's Eating Gilbert Grape," Martin Scorsese's "The Aviator" and, most recently, "Blood Diamond."

But he remains best known around the world as the doomed young lover in the 1997 film "Titanic," the highest-grossing movie ever.

"Titanic was a period of rebellion for me," he says. "I was very much portrayed in the press as a heartthrob. It wasn't what I wanted to be. It was like a runaway train. This thing just took off. I didn't understand what was happening to me. My instinctive reaction to this tabloid madness was to want to run away." For two years he stayed away from making movies, trying to ignore the media circus, protecting what he could of his private life.

"I am proud to have been in "Titanic," he says. "I'm grateful for the possibilities it's given me. If it hadn't been for that movie, I wouldn't have been able to take control of my career. It was during that time that I started to think about things that meant more to the world than this glorified, superficial media exposure of me, something I never felt was justified." The media are sure to be out in force again when he's reunited with his Titanic co-star Kate Winslet in "Revolutionary Road," opening this December.

Looking for meaning beyond movies, DiCaprio got passionately involved in trying to help save the Earth. He first learned about global warming from former Vice President Al Gore. Putting his money where his mouth is, Leonardo today funds advocacy organizations and bankrolls a personal charitable foundation supporting environmental causes. Last year, he made a powerful documentary about our imperiled world, "The 11th Hour."

"This is so much more important than anything," he says. "I began to understand the huge crisis facing the human race. But we can feed all the starving people on the Earth, take care of the sick and sustain the planet we've inherited. And if it happens, won't it be amazing? Stopping the destruction? I get overwhelmed just talking about it!"

His mother heads his foundation, and both of Leonardo's parents are close advisers.

"All I have left are my parents," Leonardo says. "I know that if one of them had been any different, it would have sent my life into a spiral of misunderstandings and insecurities about the world and about the relationships I have. Ninety percent of the people I meet are dealing with issues they can't overcome because of bad parenting. That's the truth.

"There's that side of you that says, 'Time to get over the hurt and move on,'" he continues. "It's hard to do. So you just hang on to the emotion that this one didn't love me, or why didn't that relationship last? That stuff stays with you forever. You want to say, 'Get over yourself! Come on! Time to grow up!' Some people are able to do that, but a lot of us remain victims of it. So I was fortunate with my parents. Without them, I would never have been able to be as level-headed as I am, considering everything that's happened to me."

Over the years, Leonardo has had romantic relationships with a series of exceedingly beautiful women, principally models, among them Kristen Zang, Vanessa Hayden and, most important, Brazilian model Gisele Bündchen. His turbulent affair with Bündchen lasted nearly five years. They split up in November 2005. Most recently, he's been involved with a stunning Israeli model, Bar Refaeli, 23. They have been a couple, on and off, for two years.

"It's hard to talk about this stuff," he says. "I want to keep some of this for myself. When we talk about ourselves, we know the bad parts, too."

In the past, Leonardo has refused to discuss his romantic relationships, explaining that he has "few emotions," has "never been in love," and "does not believe in marriage."

I ask if he still believes what he once said.

"No, I don't agree with any of that," he replies. "It sounds like the ignorance of youth to me. When did I say that? Three or four years ago? Hey, we grow up real fast.

"What I definitely feel a need for is to make my life about more than just my career," he continues. "Just last night I was thinking to myself how little of my life has been lived normally and not spent on some far-off movie location. I want to get married and have children. In saying that, I realize I am contradicting everything I've said before. I absolutely believe in marriage."

He puts on his sunglasses and adjusts his baseball cap. "I hope I never get cynical," he says before he leaves. "I think you need youthful energy, excitement and optimism in life. There is a lot I want to do, and the more cynical you become, the more you sit on your butt and do nothing. The one thing that I would love is to never become cynical about the things I think are really important, like family, like the environment." He smiles. "What I want is to be known as someone who stood for something."

FBI file details allegations against Evel Knievel
Daredevil was nearly charged with being part of a crime syndicate

MIAMI - Evel Knievel never denied his scrapes with the law — the late motorcycle daredevil often reveled in them. But even he objected to a 1970s FBI investigation of whether he was involved in a string of beatings.

According to documents obtained by The Associated Press, the federal government came close to charging Knievel, who in turn threatened to sue the FBI for alleging he was connected to a crime syndicate. Neither followed through.

Knievel, who died last November in Clearwater, Fla., repeatedly denied his involvement to both investigators and victims, according to the documents.

"Knievel stated that he was not responsible for what just happened to (name redacted) and that he had no control over the 'thing'," according to one phone conversation recounted in an FBI interview.

Knievel, immortalized in the Smithsonian Institution as "America's Legendary Daredevil," donned red, white and blue for his death-defying stunts. He had a knack for outrageous yarns and claimed to have been a swindler, a card thief, a safe cracker and a holdup man.

Jailed for baseball bat beating
His most well-known run-in with the law was a 1977 attack on movie studio executive Shelly Saltman, whom the daredevil beat with a baseball bat in the parking lot of 20th Century Fox.

Saltman promoted Knievel's infamous attempt to jump Idaho's Snake River Canyon and then wrote a book about the experience, angering Knievel by portraying him as "an alcoholic, a pill addict, an anti-Semite and an immoral person."

Knievel was sentenced to six months in jail and Saltman won a $12.75 million judgment, but never collected. Saltman did not return a phone message recently to discuss the FBI file.

Knievel's file shows investigators believed he was involved with other violent acts — an attack in a Kansas City hotel room and a vicious beating in San Francisco. All were allegedly carried out by Knievel associates, according to subjects quoted in the file. Authorities also looked into an alleged threat made in Phoenix, but could find no information for the case.

The investigation bounced between field offices in Miami, Chicago and California. Knievel's business associates were interviewed, his phone records examined.

Of the 202 pages of Knievel's 290-page file released to the AP, some were heavily redacted, with identities, interviews and contact information excluded. The names of victims were not released, though some details of their experiences were.

Anonymity preferred by one man
One man told agents he received a threatening phone call, and shortly after was beaten by a Knievel associate who left him hospitalized. The man was interviewed by the FBI, but could remember his assailant's black loafers better than his facial features.

He told the AP he wants to remain anonymous because he had moved on from the attack and into a career not associated with stunt jumping. He said the FBI wanted to know if he could identify his attacker.

"They gave me mug shots at one point in time and I couldn't pick him out," he said. "It was a dark room, he had dark glasses on him. All I know is he was big. I could describe his shoes better than anything."

Authorities first wanted to charge Knievel with violations of the Hobbs Act, which prohibits interfering with interstate commerce by attempting to rob or extort someone. But the case was dropped when a new federal prosecutor picked up the case and decided there was insufficient evidence. The federal government today won't comment.

"The Department follows the facts and the law in making decisions and beyond that, couldn't comment on matters in which no public federal charges were filed," Department of Justice spokeswoman Laura Sweeney said in an e-mail.

The daredevil's widow, Krystal Kennedy-Knievel, said she was unaware of any FBI investigation involving her husband and declined further comment. They were married in 1999.

Police allow public look at files
FBI files are available to the public after the death of their subjects and can provide rare glimpses into the private lives of public figures. For example, former President Ford advised the FBI that two of his fellow Warren Commission members doubted the bureau's conclusion that John F. Kennedy was shot from the sixth floor of the Texas School Book Depository in Dallas, according to his file.

Not all of Knievel's altercations were detailed by the FBI.

Bob Gill, a competitor of Knievel's during the 1970s, said he was part of a confrontation associated with Knievel, but the daredevil later apologized and denied his involvement and the two became friends. Gill was not interviewed by the FBI, but said his run-in mirrored others described in the file. He declined to elaborate.

"I was really, really mad at Evel over the whole thing, but he apologized at least 10 times, and said it was out of his control and I believed him," Gill said.

Gill, who was paralyzed after a failed stunt, said Knievel tried to help him set up a meeting with a doctor who Gill thought would help him walk again. He said Knievel also devised a plan to help pay for the expenses.

"Evel's never done any wrong besides that one little incident," Gill said. "And he's made up for it 1,000 times."

Report: Madonna, Ritchie reach settlement
Director reportedly to receive $60 million in divorce deal with pop star

LONDON - Guy Ritchie and Madonna have settled their divorce, according to the British newspaper The Sun.

The “RocknRolla” director will reportedly walk away with assets totaling around $60 million, including a 1,200-acre country estate, a London pub, and a cash settlement.

Madonna will hold on to her New York and Los Angeles homes and most of her considerable fortune, The Sun reported.

“The negotiations were relatively painless,” The Sun quoted a source as saying. “Guy knew what he wanted and Madonna knew what she was keen to keep. There was a spell when Guy was in a mood to dig his heels in, but he decided this arrangement seemed reasonable and a long battle over money would make life unbearable.”

Madonna is being represented by divorce lawyer Fiona Shackleton, who formerly represented Paul McCartney in his divorce from Heather Mills. Shackleton reportedly negotiated Madonna’s divorce terms during a day of phone calls with Guy’s lawyers.

The former couple reportedly expects to reach a compromise over their three kids — Lourdes, 12, who is the daughter of Madonna and ex Carlos Leon, and sons Rocco, 8, and David, 3.

With the divorce all but out of the way, Guy, who’s in London filming “Sherlock Holmes” with Robert Downey Jr., is reportedly ready to move on romantically as well.

“Guy has always been very popular with women,” the source said. “They have thrown themselves at him throughout his marriage but he has always been utterly faithful. Now it’s all over, he plans to have a little fun — something that has been missing from his life for far too long.”

Spice Girl Geri Halliwell Gets Engaged
Jan. 27, 2009, 12:44 PM EST
Entertainment Tonight

Geri Halliwell, the British pop singer also known as Ginger Spice, is engaged to an Italian yacht tycoon.

The engagement happened after a whirlwind romance with her beau, 34-year-old Fabrizio Politi, People magazine reports.

Geri, 36, met her fiancé in Florence, Italy, in December and Fabrizio presented the singer with an engagement ring over the holidays, People says. Since then, the couple has been enjoying themselves on a series of luxury trips to exotic locations in Italy and France.

Biggie Smalls

Christopher Wallace, aka Biggie Smalls, aka The Notorious B.I.G, wasn't born to die on the violent streets of which he sang.

Neither, it seems, was Jamal Woolard, the rapper-turned-actor who plays B.I.G. in a new film chronicling his life and quick rise to fame.

Biggie, a teacher's son, was a Catholic school kid, a good student until he got involved with drugs as a teen. He sold crack before becoming a rap star. Then in 1997, Biggie was gunned down in L.A. He was 24.

Woolard took a different route to the big time.

Two and a half years ago, Woolard, aka Gravy, was shot outside a New York City radio station. Wounded and bleeding, Woolard proceeded to give an on-air interview. But instead of responding with sympathy and concern, many suspected a publicity stunt. Soon after, his label dropped him.

Woolard gets his second chance at fame playing Smalls — and the reviews say he got this one right.

For more about the man known as B.I.G., there are a few clues:

His name: Wallace was inspired to take the name Biggie after watching this film.
answer:Let's Do It Again (1975)

His hood: The neighborhood where Biggie once sold crack now houses an artisanal cheese shop and one of these.
answer:The American Society of Plastic Surgeons

His music: Biggie's career launched with the help of this producer. Together, they defined East Coast hip-hop.
answer razz . Diddy

His killer: Nobody knows who killed Biggie, but many speculate the public feud he had with Tupac Shakur had something to do with it.

His wife and girlfriend: This R&B queen is Biggie's widow, but she's confessed to knowing about her husband's affair with this diminutive rapper. (Hint: She's not happy about how she's portrayed in the film.)
answeres: Faith Renée Evans-Wallace and Lil' Kim

'Fringe' co-stars Anna Torv and Mark Valley wed
Feb. 4, 2009, 12:29 PM EST

NEW YORK (AP) -- Life imitates art at the Fox series "Fringe," where co-stars Anna Torv and Mark Valley have wed.

Torv's representative, Jen Turner, says the couple were married in December. She didn't provide any details.

Torv, 29, plays FBI Special Agent Olivia Dunham on "Fringe." Valley, 44, played Dunham's partner and secret lover, agent John Scott, when the series began last fall. But their relationship took a mysterious turn when Scott was seemingly killed and exposed as Dunham's apparent betrayer.