George Speaks Out...Again
George Clooney is not shy about speaking his mind. He's recently taken on the Screen Actors Guild, condemning their decision to expel three members. SAG agreed to get rid of three members who performed work during last year's commercials strike. And George didn't take it too well. "I suggest that in this time of healing, that we accept all of the actors' apologies, attach fines appropriately and fairly, and let people go about the business of chasing their dreams," he said. He also offered to pay their fines. But the board stood firm with their decision. Tom Bosley, board member and former Happy Days star, said, "I was one who voted to oust these three members for reasons far more severe than just breaking the strike line, working or auditioning struck work." Another SAG member sent George a letter saying one of the expelled individuals actually punched him on the picket line. George's beef is that the punishments weren't equal to the ones given to big names like Elizabeth Hurley and Tiger Woods. They were fined $100,000 each for performing non-union work. Tom says those fines were just and helped other members who'd been affected by the strike. "There are so many ways you can help your fellow SAG members," Bosley said. "Offering to pay to have three people, who hurt their fellow actors, restored to the ranks of membership is wrong and will never happen."
Hammer Time
C. Thomas Howell, best known for roles in The Outsiders and with future ex-wife Rae Dawn Chong in The Soul Man, is on trial for a hit and run accident. Last year, Shawn C. Burgess, a 20-year-old skateboarder, says Thomas hit him with a Ford pickup truck. He claims Thomas then left the scene, only to return with a hammer and threatening to kill Burgess if he went to the police. Thomas faces five misdemeanor counts, with one of those counts being a "terrorist threat." If convicted, he could receive more than four years in jail. Thomas feels that his celeb status is why he's on trial. "If I was a gardener, this would not be happening," he said. He also states his act was purely self-defense and that he never struck Burgess with his vehicle.
Tough Man Hackman
More fender bender news - from Gene Hackman of all people. The 71-year-old Oscar winner was involved in a minor accident that resulted in major gossip. He was driving down a busy street in Hollywood when his Volvo sedan clashed with a Volvo station wagon. Gene and the other driver pulled over when a man less than half his age began to verbally insult him. Witnesses said Gene was cool for a while and then he punched the other driver "four or five times." The passenger in the station wagon got out of the car and allegedly kicked the actor in the groin. Police say the men were separated by the time they arrived on the scene and reported no major injuries. Neither party filed charges.
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