Movies

Deontay Wilder ain't finished with his superstar rise by a long shot ... 'cause now he wants to take Hollywood by storm ... and he's got the PERFECT role in mind to get his career started.

As Clubber Lang's son ... in the next "Creed" movie.

If you don't remember Clubber (shame on you), he was the total BADASS played by Mr. T in "Rocky III" -- and the first guy other than Apollo to put something on Rock's ass.

We got Wilder in NYC, and he told us he DEFINITELY wants to make a serious splash in the film industry and thinks this role could be the one.

"That's what I'm all about, my passion is acting!"

Think about it ... Lang was a big, scary guy who hit like a ton of bricks ... and if you're going to cast another big, scary guy who hits like a ton of bricks, is there anyone better?

FYI -- Wilder says he doesn't look at acting as a side hustle or hobby, telling our guy he wants it to be his full-time career after he hangs up his leather.

We hope that's after another fight with Tyson Fury AND after a huge fight with Anthony Joshua ... but we can only hope.

Shaun Weiss -- best known for playing Goldberg on "The Mighty Ducks" and sadly, this mug shot -- is in trouble again ... just months after announcing he checked into rehab.

Law enforcement sources tell TMZ ... the actor was busted in November for allegedly shoplifting more than $200 worth of stuff from an L.A. Rite Aid. We're told he's now facing a petty theft charge and a probation violation.

We broke the story ... Weiss was arrested for public intoxication in August when cops took this rough-looking mug shot. The shocking image prompted friends to plead with him to get help.

Shaun announced he was doing just that days later, saying he'd checked into a long-term rehab center. He admitted that "without immediate treatment my life is in eminent danger." It's unclear when he left the treatment center.

The 'Ducks' star's downward spiral dates back to last year, when he was arrested for possession of meth and also for stealing.

While trying to contact Weiss, one of his friends told us they are "hoping for the best" for him.

9:13 PM PT -- Kevin just announced he will no longer host the show, saying, "I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year's Oscar's....this is because I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists. I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past."

He continues, "I'm sorry that I hurt people.. I am evolving and want to continue to do so. My goal is to bring people together not tear us apart. Much love & appreciation to the Academy. I hope we can meet again."

Kevin Hart is firing back at critics who think he's unfit to host the Oscars due to old tweets that were extremely homophobic ... and by firing back, we mean he's laying in bed and refusing to apologize.

Kevin says in an Instagram video, the hateful response to his old tweets illustrates just how PC-crazy our world has become ... and he says he's not going to let the haters bring him down.

As Kevin put it -- in a video he shot with his head still on a pillow -- he's approaching 40 and it's stupid for people to think his views haven't evolved. Basically, he's claiming he's more mature than he was when he was gay-bashing on Twitter -- including using the f-word several times.

The Academy announced this week that Kevin would host next year's Oscars, and the backlash began almost immediately.

Count Kevin Kline among the people who was totally fine with Kevin Hart hosting the Oscars, because he thinks it's time to cut him, and all comedians, some slack for jokes from the past.

The Academy Award-winning actor was leaving Michael's restaurant in NYC Thursday when we asked what he thought about KH landing the gig. This was several hours before Hart backed out of hosting -- but KK defended him against the backlash over old, but blatantly homophobic, tweets.

The way Kline sees it, stand-up comics have been mocking all groups -- gays, blacks, Jews and more -- for decades. He admits times are changing now, and comedians are too, but he was willing to give Hart a pass on his past remarks.

As you know, Hart posted a video Thursday, claiming he had evolved since the offending tweets, but did not apologize for them. Hours later he stepped down, saying he didn't want to be a distraction -- and, at that point, he did apologize for his "insensitive words from my past."

BTW ... Kline's stance on jokes from days of old might not be that shocking considering his own "In & Out" role from 1997. Would this scene be kosher today?

Christmas came early for a bunch of lucky Walmart customers ... because Tyler Perry just picked up their tabs.

Sources close to the situation tell TMZ ... the famous actor and filmmaker wrote a couple big checks to 2 Atlanta area Walmarts Thursday, to cover the cost of outstanding layaway items that were registered at the stores as of this morning.

We're told Perry dropped $178k at one store in ATL and another $256k at a nearby store in Douglasville.

All the customers have to do to collect their outstanding items is pay a penny at pickup ... as Tyler just explained in a video about the awesome gesture.

Add this to a laundry list of charitable acts by Tyler in 2018 -- including buying an old friend's mom a house and hooking up Geoffrey Owens with an acting gig -- and it's safe to say he's on the nice list.

Scott Eastwood had a very up close and personal run-in with a couple killer whales while paddle boarding down in Mexico -- and while it's incredible to see ... it's also kinda scary.

Clint Eastwood's son posted a video of himself out in the waters of Baja California Sur, where he says he and a pal stopped for lunch before paddling out to sea after hearing some orcas in the water.

Scott says they thought the wild beasts had disappeared by the time they got out there -- but, apparently, some whale noises and splashing around made 2 orcas circle back ... and, boy, did they get close. Check out the clip -- Scott and co. could've touched 'em if they wanted.

It's a majestic scene for sure, but ya gotta wonder how risky the dip with the whales really was. While orcas aren't known to attack humans ... it's always a possibility they could.

George Clooney and Amal just made the United Nations gala in New York one helluva lot sexier, and George's dashing date is definitely making his parents proud.

We don't see George and Amal out too often, and she's looking totally stunning in this blue and white dress. If you ask us, she could probably bring about world peace with one hair flip.

George is looking handsome as hell too ... and his mother, Nina Bruce Warren, looks like she's having a grand ole time. But, how could you not? Nina's rolling up with her dapper movie star son and his smoking hot wife.

And, don't forget about Nick Clooney, the cute old man in the tux helping Amal make her grand entrance. Way to go, mom and dad, we can totally see where George gets his good looks.

The Clooneys dressed to the nines for Wednesday's U.N. Correspondents Association Awards at Cipriani. Amal is a civil rights lawyer, activist and humanitarian, but if there's an award for best dressed tonight, she's a lock.

Harvey Weinstein apparently doesn't need a publicist anymore ... he's handling it on his own and reaching out to the media in an effort to clear his name ... TMZ has learned.

Sources tell us the disgraced studio mogul fired off several emails Tuesday to his people in the media he once worked with, back when he was a Hollywood mogul.

He did not send one to TMZ, but we've obtained a copy from a source. The reason for the emails is pretty clear -- Weinstein feels his side of the NYC rape case isn't getting enough attention.

As you can see ... Weinstein's railing against cops and claims their misconduct has tainted the entire criminal case against him.

2:15 PM PT -- Natalie's responded to Jessica directly, saying ... "I completely agree with you that a woman should be allowed to dress however she likes and behave however she likes and not be judged. I only meant to say I was confused - as a girl coming of age in the public eye around the same time - by the media's mixed messages about how girls and women are supposed to behave."

She adds ... "I didn't mean to shame you and I'm sorry for any hurt my words may have caused. I have nothing but respect for your talent and your voice that you use to encourage and empower women all over the globe."

Jessica Simpson is firing back at Natalie Portman for saying she got mixed messages from one of Jessica's famous magazine covers way back in the day.

Jessica called out Natalie Wednesday, saying she's "disappointed" Natalie is slut shaming her for posing in a bikini, while also boasting about being a virgin.

In a recent interview, Natalie told USA Today, "I remember being a teenager, and there was Jessica Simpson on the cover of a magazine saying ‘I’m a virgin’ while wearing a bikini, and I was confused. Like, I don’t know what this is trying to tell me as a woman, as a girl."

Natalie, who plays a pop star in her new movie, "Vox Lux," was talking about real-life pop stars and the virgin/vixen paradigms pushed by the music industry in the late 1990s.

Jessica thinks Natalie should know better ... telling her, "As public figures, we both know our image is not totally in our control at all times, and that the industry we work in often tries to define us and box us in."

Jessica further scolds Natalie by writing, "being sexy in a bikini and being proud of my body are not synonymous with having sex.”

The pop star's social media rant included some shade for Natalie -- “I have made it my practice to not shame other women for their choices. I encourage you to do the same."

Just 2 days into marriage and Priyanka Chopra and Nick Jonas are already handling their union with tons of care ... and armed security.

The Missus and her Mr. couldn't stop smiling Sunday after they'd tied the knot, twice. They stopped for cameras as they were leaving Jodhpur, where they held 2 elaborate wedding ceremonies and receptions over the weekend. Take note of all the security around them, including the dude with the giant automatic weapon. Priyanka's a BIG deal in India.

As we reported, their multi-day party included a traditional Christian wedding ceremony, a couple of traditional Indian receptions -- Mehendi and Sangeet -- and fireworks over the Jodhpur Palace.

Gotta give it up to Nick ... he and his fam fully embraced Pri's culture -- see the song and dance both families put on over the weekend. As the bride put it, "One of the most special things our relationship has given us is a merging of families who love and respect each other’s faiths and cultures."

11:53 AM PT -- Ken's ex-wife, Jackie, tells us he had been battling heart issues for several months, and had stint surgery in October. But she adds, his heart illness continued to worsen in recent weeks, and he'd been in and out of the hospital.

Jackie says their daughter, Jennifer, Ken's partner Susie and herself were all by his side until the end. She adds, Susie had been with Ken for 26 years and encouraged him through his ailment.

Ken's final wishes, we're told, were for people to donate to the Motion Picture Fund -- a retirement community for actors -- in his honor. He had planned to retire there.

Ken Berry, who starred in several classic TV series, including "F Troop" and "Mayberry, R.F.D.," died on Saturday ... according to his ex-wife.

Actress Jackie Joseph-Lawrence announced Ken's passing with a Facebook post Saturday evening.

Ken played Sam Jones -- first on "The Andy Griffith Show" and also on the spin-off, 'Mayberry,' -- but might be most beloved for playing Capt. Parmenter on the Western sitcom "F Troop" from 1965 to 1967.

His costar Larry Storch reacted to the news, saying, "We hope you know how much you were loved. Goodnight Captain."

Ken landed on yet another cult classic TV sitcom in the 80s when he played Vinton Harper, opposite his good friend Vicki Lawrence on "Mama's Family."

He also had memorable guest-starring roles on several TV series like "Small Wonder," "Fantasy Island," "CHiPs," "Little House on the Prairie" and "The Golden Girls."

No cause of death has been released yet.

Ken was 85.

RIP

An OG castmember of "Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer" is firing back at critics who call the holiday classic "problematic" for the modern world.

Corinne Conley, who voiced the dolly for Sue in the 1964 TV special, tells TMZ she can't believe the outcry of criticism after more than 50 years of it being a beloved tradition for kids and their parents.

Critics came for 'Rudolph' this year, calling it out for sexism and bullying -- like the scene where Rudolph is forced to cover his red nose just to avoid all of the other reindeer laughing and calling him names.

Corinne, however, insists that any bullying or negative plot points are happily resolved by the end of the show. In fact, she contends if someone was a bully before watching, they'd learn a valuable lesson by the time the credits roll.

Bottom line for Corinne ... Rudolph should go down in history, and not just for pulling Santa's sleigh.

Katie Holmes enjoyed the hell outta mommy duty while on the job -- think, bring your daughter to work day ... but without Suri.

Katie was all smiles Friday with her on-set "daughter" in Louisiana while filming her new movie, "The Secret." She and costar Josh Lucas play a happy family of 3 and you can see Katie way into it. Hard to tell with the toddler.

Y'know what they say about working with kids.

Of course, this was probably like riding a bike for Katie ... who, of course, had plenty of practice scooping up Suri. BTW, she's 12 now!

Those sweaty gym sessions with her bae, Jamie Foxx, are really paying off based on how easily she lifted the kid during this scene shot in a park playground. Or maybe her co-star's just super light.

Jonathan Bennett says when he got the offer to appear in Ariana Grande's latest music video he couldn't say yes fast enough, and there was nearly another "Mean Girls" cameo ... but it didn't work out.

Jonathan -- who plays Aaron Samuels in the 2004 film which Grande pays homage to in her new "Thank U, Next" vid -- says working with Ariana was so much fun ... a joy actor Daniel Franzese will never know.

Bennett tells us Daniel -- who plays Damian, Lindsay Lohan's friend in the movie -- had to pass on the offer because he's currently on a comedy tour. Tough break!

Jonathan did get to hang with the "army pants and flip-flops" girl though ... better known as Stefanie Drummond. She got the call for Ariana's vid too.

BTW ... Bennett got to include his new "Mean Girls" parody cookbook in the music video, titled "The Burn Cookbook". Get it while it's hot, diehard fans.