Very sad breaking news to report today … it has been announced that legendary actor Paul Newman passed away Friday. Newman had been suffering with cancer recently and, unfortunately, succumbed to the deadly disease last night, he was 83 years old:

Paul Newman, the Academy-Award winning superstar who personified cool as an activist, race car driver, popcorn impresario and the anti-hero of such films as “Hud,” “Cool Hand Luke” and “The Color of Money,” has died, a spokeswoman said Saturday. He was 83. Newman died Friday of cancer, spokeswoman Marni Tomljanovic said. No other details were immediately available … He was nominated for Oscars 10 times, winning one regular award and two honorary ones, and had major roles in more than 50 motion pictures, including “Exodus,” “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid,” “The Verdict,” “The Sting” and “Absence of Malice” … In May, Newman he had dropped plans to direct a fall production of “Of Mice and Men,” citing unspecified health issues.

This is very sad news. The world has lost a great talent, a true Hollywood legend. I had heard that he was not doing very well health-wise but, for me, it was one of those situations where I just assumed that the reports were exaggerated because surely a man like Paul Newman would live on forever. I know it doesn’t make sense but, I just never really believed he was this bad off. My heart is saddened by this terrible news. He will be sorely missed.

[Source]

Our dear Britney Spears, who wowed the world yesterday with the official release of her new track Womanizer, has decided to sell off her Studio City manse as quickly as possible. You may recall that this home was the site of Britney’s infamous mental break-down this past January (the house she was removed from via stretcher) as well as, I’m sure, numerous other bad memories (involving those leeches Sam Lutfi and cousin Ali Sims) … which is exactly why wants to get rid of it:

Britney Spears is so desperate to sell her massive mansion that she has posed for photos in the many rooms for the sales catalogue! The popstar is apparently keen to get rid of the £4 Million house because it reminds Brit of her drug problems and her mental breakdown. The pics show off the flash six-bedroom house- described as an “exquisite gated Italian Renaissance-inspired villa”- with her son’s toys scattered around the floor. Neighbours will be pleased to see the back of Britney after the chaotic scenes that have happened outside the house and paparazzi intrusion. Spears — whose new album will be out later this year — is looking for a new house at the moment and reportedly wants more privacy.

I say, “Good Riddance!” That place was a den of tragedy and I fully support her getting rid of it. I remember, not so fondly, that when Britney wasn’t roaming the streets of LA at all hours of the night last year, she was holed up in this mansion out of sight and in the sole care of Sam Lutfi. I shudder to think of the things that might’ve happened in those walls. Britney has a new lease on life and should move on into fresh, happy surroundings. This is just another clear indication that she is finally taking charge of her life and is serious about staying on the right and healthy path.

[Photo credit: Splash News; Source]

David and Victoria Beckham descended upon Manhattan yesterday to make an in-store appearance at Macy’s Department Store here in NYC in order to officially launch their new male & female fragrances called Signature here in the US. You may recall that Vicki B. made an in-store appearance at Harvey Nichols in Manchester, UK at the end of August to launch her fragrance there. Here are a few pics of Les Beckhams making their grand arrival at Macy’s here in NYC yesterday afternoon from afar:

And here are a bunch more pics of the very fashionable-looking couple up close on the red purple carpet:

I don’t think I’ll ever tire of seeing Becks in a suit … the man just looks so good when he’s all dolled up like this. The only thing I like better is Becks wearing pretty much nothing at all — but, if he’s gonna wear clothes, I really like the suits. I must admit, VB looks pretty good here as well. I kinda dig the dress … it’s got an interesting design (tho, I doubt it’s one of her designs) … and I really like the rubber tights. They look like the shiny, rubber tights that Tori Amos wore some nights of her American Doll Posse World Tour last year. Of course, she still looks like a robot … but I like what the tin lady is wearing at least ;)

After their in-store appearance, the couple made their way to the trendy Waverly Inn for a late night bite to eat, here are pics of Les Beckhams making their grand exit from the eatery:

While it would’ve been nice to have an up-close and personal encounter with these two, it was just as I suspected … a full-on madhouse frenzy from start to finish. With all the rain here in NY yesterday, well, I just didn’t want to deal with the hassle. I’m sure the folks that made their way out to Macy’s to see DB and VB had fun … I’m totally content with just the pics.

Incidentally, I’m curious as to what Signature Male smells like … I’m not too keen on Becks’s previous male fragrance, Instinct, but this one … I might have to give it a sniff … I still have this hope that they are able to bottle what Becks really smells like and sell it. MMMM, doesn’t that sound nice?

[Photo credit: Splash News, Bauer-Griffin]