Friday’s Shmooze Celebrity Roundup

By Renee Ghert-Zand September 21, 2012

There’s lots to report for those who just can’t get enough news about Natalie Portman. Fans who take a keen interest in the actress’s choice of scripts learned that producer Tom Hanks is eyeing her for a starring role in his movie version of Erik Larson’s bestselling “In The Garden of the Beasts.” Those who appreciate Portman for the political stands she takes noticed that she was sporting a “Women’s Rights” hand stamp as she got off a flight on Wednesday at LAX. She was returning home from New York, where she attended a fundraising event for President Obama. Finally, mommy Natalie was spotted spending quality time yesterday with little Aleph.

U.S. Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg told an audience at the University of Colorado Law School that she predicted that gay marriage would come before the Supreme Court this term.

You may already know that Jon Stewart and Bill O’Reilly are getting ready to rumble, but did you know that Eliot Spitzer is planning to square off with Glenn Beck in a debate next month, as well?

American history buffs will be excited to know that Steven Spielberg has been invited to speak at Soldier’s National Cemetery as part of Dedication Day, an annual event honoring President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address. It is no mere coincidence that Spielberg’s appearance at Gettysburg on November 19 falls in the same week that his new film, “Lincoln” is to be released nationwide.

Readers of yesterday’s Shmooze Celebrity Roundup know of the trouble Amanda Bynes is in. She, however, maintains she’s “doing amazing.” She denies drinking and driving and says she’s had it with acting in LA and is heading to New York to start a fashion design career. In the meantime, Bynes was kicked out of an exercise class on Tuesday night for exhibiting bizarre behavior.

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel reportedly recently held a secret meeting with Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak. It is unclear whether Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was aware of the meeting before it took place. And all this time we thought Emanuel was dealing with nothing but the recently ended teacher’s strike in his city…

It looks like Ralph Lauren is finally acknowledging that plus-size women also deserve to buy into his fashion fantasy world. Robyn Lawley announced on “Good Morning America” that she has been chosen as the first plus-size model for Lauren’s brand and will star in its new campaign. We should note, however, that the plus-size Lawley is all of a size 12.

Mandy Patinkin talks about his new and old television roles in a new profile in New York Magazine.

Andy Samberg’s new 6-part BBC comedy series, “CUCKOO,” premieres next week. You can watch a sneak peek here.

Hot on the heels of news that Tori Spelling was rushed to hospital for surgery for emergency post-cesarean section complications came word that she has sold her Malibu home for $2.3 million. She and her husband Dean McDermott have been living on the 1.73 acre property, which has a chicken coop, horse corral and organic garden and orchard, with their three children. It seems that with the arrival of their fourth in August, they need more room.

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