'G.I. Joe' opens campaign at No. 1
LOS ANGELES, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- "G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra" was a big hit among U.S. movie-goers in its opening weekend, easily besting "Julie & Julia," Box Office Mojo said.
The action film starring Dennis Quad and Christopher Eccleston pulled in an estimated $56.2 million in gate receipts to grab the No. 1 ranking. "Julie & Julia," a biographical drama starring Meryl Streep, Amy Adams and Stanley Tucci, opened at No. 2 with $20.1 million in estimated ticket sales.
"G-Force" held on to the No. 3 spot at $9.8 million, followed by "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" at No. 4 with $8.88 million. Last weekend's top movie, Adam Sandler's "Funny People," plummeted all the way to No. 5 at $7.87 million.
"The Ugly Truth" slipped to No. 6 with $7 million, while another new movie, "A Perfect Getaway," a horror show written and directed by David Twohy, opened at No. 7 with $5.77 million in ticket sales.
Finishing up the top 10 were "Aliens in the Attic" at $4 million, "Orphan at $3.73 million and "(500) Days of Summer," which was 12th last week, at just under $3.73 million.
"The Hangover," "Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen," "The Proposal" and "Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs" dropped out of the top rankings.
Comedian Marin marries longtime girlfriendMALIBU, Calif., Aug. 9 (UPI) -- A representative for Cheech Marin confirmed in an exclusive report that the actor-comedian has married his girlfriend, pianist Natasha Rubin, in Malibu, Calif.
The unidentified representative told People magazine exclusively that Marin, 63, married the Russian-born pianist Saturday at their Malibu home in front of nearly 75 guests.
Among the wedding guests were actor Don Johnson, comedian Carlos Mencia and journalist Geraldo Rivera.
The civil ceremony between the Cheech & Chong comedian and Rubin, whose age was not reported, was officiated by Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa.
People magazine said Marin and Rubin have been dating for four and a half years. They became engaged in February.
Grammer links cancellation, heart attackLOS ANGELES, Aug. 9 (UPI) -- U.S. actor Kelsey Grammer says the cancellation of his TV series "Back to You" by Fox may have contributed to his ensuing heart attack.
Grammer, 54, said at a news conference Saturday that after Fox canceled his sitcom "Back" in 2008, he suffered a heart attack that doctors attributed to stress in his life, the Los Angeles Times reported.
"There's obviously some connection to one's life and the stress that takes place in one's life," Grammer said. "When they examined my arteries, there was no blocked arteries, I had no cholesterol buildup. I had an event that they think was stress-related."
Grammer, who will star in the new ABC comedy "Hank," said his heart attack may ultimately prove to have been beneficial to his health and his TV career.
"It ended up being probably a great thing in my life. I'm healthier, stronger, faster. I'm somewhat bionic now," said Grammer, whose other TV credits include "Cheers," "Frazier" and voice work on "The Simpsons."
Abdul mentioned as possible 'Dancing' starPASADENA, Calif., Aug. 9 (UPI) -- ABC Entertainment President Stephen McPherson says he is open to adding singer-choreographer Paula Abdul to "Dancing with the Stars."
McPherson said Saturday that Abdul, who recently ended her "American Idol" judging duties amid a contract dispute, would be a welcome addition to "Dancing" as a judge or participant, People.com reported.
"Absolutely. I would love that," McPherson said at the Television Critics Association summer press tour in Pasadena, Calif. "I was a little stunned by the decision, and we would love to have her on 'Dancing.'"
McPherson has already reached out to Abdul regarding a possible spot on ABC, the Los Angeles Times reported.
"I think she's a huge talent," McPherson said. "I think that there's a lot made about her in terms of who she is. And I think there's a sensitivity and a kind of emotion to her that balances out 'Idol.' And we'd love to get a piece of that. It would be great."
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