DEAR STACY: Is Chris Pine, the new Kirk in "Star Trek," any relation to 1960s talk show host Joe Pine? -- Steve S., Brooklyn, N.Y. DEAR STEVE: No, and the late confrontational conservative TV personality was Joe Pyne. The 27-year-old Chris is the son of actor Robert Pine ("CHiPs") and actress Gwynne Gilford.
Ask Stacy: Chris Pine and Star Trek (Image: Wenn)
With J.J. Abrams' new "Star Trek" film due in May 2009, Pine boldly goes into the sci-fi realm after having been mostly known for youthful romantic comedies -- "Just My Luck" with Lindsay Lohan and "Princess Diaries 2: Royal Engagement" with Anne Hathaway.
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DEAR STACY: James Roday is so funny and charming in "Psych." Can you tell a little about him: age, where from, past credits, marital status? -- Lauren W., Cleveland
DEAR LAUREN: San Antonio-born James David Rodriguez is 32 and not married -- though he's linked romantically to "Psych" costar Maggie Lawson. He studied at New York University's Experimental Theatre Wing, earning a Fine Arts degree. His stage credits include such fare as "Twelfth Night" and "The Three Sisters." On the other end of the spectrum, his feature credits include "Beerfest" and "The Dukes of Hazzard" movie. He costarred with Alicia Silverstone in her short-lived 2003 series, "Miss Match," and starred in the even shorter-lived Fox show "Ryan Caulfield: Year One" before hitting his stride as fake psychic Shawn Spencer on "Psych."
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DEAR STACY: "The King of Queens" is really missed. I watch the reruns as if for the first time. What are Leah Remini and Victor Williams doing now? I know that the wonderful Kevin James and Jerry Stiller are still on a roll. -- Albertha S., New York
DEAR ALBERTHA: Remini is in the very funny Suave-Sprint online series "In the Motherhood" with Chelsea Handler and Jenny McCarthy. The show's three-minute webisodes, carried via MSN, are based on real stories submitted by moms. Victor Williams starred in a 2007 ultra low-budget independent movie, "A New Tomorrow," a political mockumentary.
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DEAR STACY: I know Judge Mills Lane had a stroke years ago that left him unable to work. Any update? -- Brian D., Springfield, Mass.
DEAR BRIAN: Although he reportedly still has difficulty speaking due to the 2002 stroke that left him partially paralyzed, the famed former boxing referee (catchphrase: "Let's Get It On!") has been in the public eye since then. He was present at the end of 2004 in his adopted city of Reno, Nev., for the dedication of a courthouse named in his honor, and has recently been seen in commercials for 1-800-THELAW2.
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DEAR STACY: Whatever happened to Ann Jillian, who had a series and also a TV picture made about her and her fight with breast cancer? -- Rose S., New York.
DEAR ROSE: The actress -- whose career dates back to childhood (she played Bo Peep in Disney's "Babes in Toyland"), and who rose to the status of sex symbol with the '80s sitcom, "It's a Living" -- now works primarily as a motivational speaker. She sometimes gives "mini concerts" in her programs, singing with piano accompaniment. Her long list of credits include engagements for the American Cancer Society, General Motors, the LPGA Classic and the United Way. Married to former Chicago cop Andy Murcia, who became her manager, she scaled back on her professional activities to raise their son Andrew, 15.
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DEAR STACY: Talk about Carol Burnett. Didn't she marry a much younger man some time ago? And, what is she doing nowadays? -- W.I., Coram, N.Y.
DEAR W.I.: Heard as the kangaroo in the "Horton Hears a Who!" animated feature, the comedy icon began her third marriage, to Hollywood Bowl Orchestra drummer Brian Miller, in 2001. He is 25 years younger than she. Burnett is in the recently shot 2009 film, "The Post Grad Survival Guide," with Alexis Bledel and Michael Keaton.
DEAR STACY: Whatever became of Ringo Starr's daughter, who had a brain tumor? Did she survive? -- J.V., Canton, Ohio
DEAR J.V.: At 37, Lee Parkin Starkey lives a more quiet life than her two older brothers, drummers Zak and Jason. In 1995, the makeup artist and fashion designer was successfully treated for a brain tumor.
With reports by Stephanie DuBois and Emily Feimster.
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