Richard Roundtree, best known for his role as detective John Shaft in the 1971 film "Shaft," has passed away at the age of 81. His manager, Patrick McMinn, confirmed his death, saying he had been battling pancreatic cancer. Roundtree's career in film and television spanned over 50 years, and his work was a turning point for African American leading men in film. He is survived by his wife and two children.
Posts tagged as “Variety”
Rapper Ice Spice has spoken out about Matty Healy's racist comments mocking her ethnicity and appearance on a podcast. Healy has yet to comment on the incident, but Ice Spice has said she wants to be judged on her work, not on the comments of someone else. The incident has sparked a larger conversation about racism in the music industry and the need for more respect between artists.
The 75th Primetime Emmy Awards have been postponed due to strikes led by the Writers Guild of America and SAG-AFTRA, who are seeking better pay in the streaming era. The Television Academy and Fox had looked to move the show to November and January respectively, but no new date has been determined. The strikes have also affected the Daytime and Creative Arts Emmy Awards, which have been moved to October and November respectively.
Anna Shay, an heiress, philanthropist, and star of Netflix's "Bling Empire," passed away at the age of 62 due to a stroke. She was known for her philanthropy and love of the finer things in life, and her family's statement to Variety said that her impact on their lives would be forever missed but never forgotten. She is survived by her two children and four grandchildren.
Michael J. Fox, star of "Back to the Future", has been living with Parkinson's disease since 1991. In an interview with Variety, he discussed the physical injuries he has suffered as a result of the disorder, and his efforts to manage it and enjoy life. He has also become an advocate for Parkinson's research and awareness, founding the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research in 2000, which has raised over $800 million.
Drew Barrymore has withdrawn from hosting duties for the upcoming MTV Movie & TV Awards in order to show solidarity with the Writers Guild of America (WGA) members who are on strike. The WGA is seeking higher pay and better benefits for its members, as well as more transparency and fair compensation for streaming services. Barrymore’s decision to step down as host is a powerful show of solidarity with the striking writers.
The creators and stars of Netflix show "Beef" released a statement in response to backlash for casting David Choe, who had previously made graphic comments about coercing a woman into a sexual act. The statement acknowledged Choe's apology and mental health support, and said they take seriously the responsibility of telling stories that reflect the world we live in and creating a safe and inclusive environment. They also said they are committed to learning from this experience and being better moving forward.
Ke Huy Quan, the second Asian to win Best Supporting Actor at the Oscars, reflected on his family's journey to flee Vietnam in the 1970s. He, his father, and five siblings escaped in a boat and were granted political asylum after a year in a refugee camp. Quan's win is a testament to the resilience of his family and the power of the human spirit, and serves as a reminder of the struggles of refugees around the world.