分类： entertainment

Beloved award-winning voice performance artist Eric Bauza, who lent his iconic vocal talents to a roster of legendary Looney Tunes characters including Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, and Porky Pig, has passed away at the age of 46. A public announcement shared by Bauza’s family on Instagram confirmed the star’s sudden death, with entertainment industry outlet Variety later verifying that the performer died peacefully at his home on a Sunday, with hypertensive cardiovascular disease listed as the official cause of death. Born in Ontario, Canada to a Filipino family, Bauza spent his childhood imitating the zany, distinct voices of his favorite Looney Tunes figures, a lifelong passion that would eventually catapult him to the top of the global animation industry. In a 2021 conversation with NBC News, he reflected on the cross-cultural appeal of the classic cartoon franchise, noting that its humor transcended every language and regional border to resonate with audiences across the entire planet. His extensive, celebrated body of work spanned major modern animated blockbusters: he voiced Daffy Duck, Porky Pig, Elmer Fudd and Foghorn Leghorn for 2021’s *Space Jam: A New Legacy*, reprised those roles alongside adding Road Runner to his performance list for this summer’s breakout animated hit *Coyote vs. Acme*, and appeared in the recently released *Forgotten Island*. He also took on the role of Toad General in 2023’s record-breaking *The Super Mario Bros. Movie* and its follow-up *The Super Mario Galaxy Movie*, which currently ranks as the fifth highest-grossing theatrical release worldwide this year. Over the three-year period from 2022 to 2025, Bauza earned three separate Emmy Awards for outstanding voice performance for his work across multiple animated television series. Tributes have poured in from across the entertainment sector following news of his passing, including a public statement from Channing Dungey, Chairman of Warner Bros. Television Group and US Networks, who praised Bauza as a one-of-a-kind talent who carried on the historic legacy of Looney Tunes pioneer Mel Blanc, noting that the performer often cited stewarding the franchise’s decades-long legacy as one of the greatest honors of his career, and that his work had brought endless laughter and joy to millions of viewers of all ages.

Acclaimed American actor Tom Skerritt, whose 60-year career spanned iconic roles in blockbuster films and award-winning television, has passed away at the age of 93. His family confirmed in a public statement that Skerritt died on Wednesday from natural causes.

Beyond his decades-long standing as a fan-favorite performer, Skerritt left a legacy that extended far beyond the screen. In addition to his hundreds of acting credits, he co-founded Seattle’s TheFilmSchool, an institution dedicated to nurturing emerging filmmakers and cultivating the next generation of creative storytellers. His family shared that Skerritt held a deep core belief: that storytelling has the unique power to help people heal, discover their sense of purpose, and drive meaningful social change.

For global audiences, Skerritt is best remembered for his career-defining roles across some of Hollywood’s most beloved properties. In 1979, he starred opposite Sigourney Weaver in Ridley Scott’s genre-defining sci-fi horror Alien, a film that spawned three sequels and multiple major crossover franchise projects that remain popular today. Five years earlier, in 1977, he shared the screen with screen legend Shirley MacLaine in the drama Turning Point. He cemented his place in pop culture history in 1986, when he took on the role of Commander Mike “Viper” Metcalf in the iconic military action classic Top Gun. Three years later, in 1989, he played Sally Field’s on-screen spouse in the hit ensemble drama Steel Magnolias.

On television, Skerritt earned critical acclaim and industry recognition for his lead role as Sheriff Jimmy Brock on David E. Kelley’s small-town drama *Picket Fences*. The performance earned him a Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series in 1993. The show’s entire ensemble cast received Screen Actors Guild Award nominations in both 1995 and 1996, with Skerritt picking up an individual nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Drama Series in 1995. Other notable credits across his career include recurring and guest roles in classic series M*A*S*H, as well as roles in acclaimed feature films like A River Runs Through It and the 2012 comedy Ted.

In their statement, his family reflected on the multi-faceted man they knew, separate from his public persona. “While the world knew Tom through his remarkable acting career, we knew him for his humor, curiosity, wisdom, generosity, and the love he brought into our lives,” the statement read. The family added that he will forever be remembered for his unwavering belief in the transformative power of narrative.

Fifteen years after its groundbreaking debut and a decade since its final episode wrapped, the beloved Emmy-winning musical comedy series *Glee* is officially set to make its return, after a formal announcement from Disney and Hulu on the show’s official social media channels this Wednesday.

Created by Ryan Murphy, Brad Falchuk, and Ian Brennan, the series first premiered on Fox in 2009, following the ragtag group of underdog students in McKinley High School’s show choir New Directions based in Lima, Ohio. Over six seasons that ran through 2015, the show chronicled the group’s ups and downs on and off the competition stage, blending catchy musical performances with heartfelt storytelling that addressed underrepresented topics including sexuality, racial inequality, disability accessibility, and adolescent mental health. Much of the series’ core magic centered on its core cast: Matthew Morrison as optimistic glee club director Will Schuester, Jane Lynch as iconic sharp-tongued cheerleading coach and frequent glee club antagonist Sue Sylvester, Lea Michele as ambitious leading singer Rachel Berry, Cory Monteith as popular quarterback turned choir member Finn Hudson, Amber Riley as talented underrated vocalist Mercedes Jones, Chris Colfer as outcast student Kurt Hummel, and Naya Rivera as quick-witted fan-favorite Santana Lopez, among many others.

Beyond its boundary-pushing storytelling, *Glee* left an indelible mark on pop music culture. The choir’s viral covers of classic hits from decades prior – including Journey’s *Don’t Stop Believin’*, *River Deep, Mountain High*, and *Smooth Criminal* – introduced iconic older tracks to millions of younger listeners, repositioning decades-old hits on music charts. By 2010, the series’ cast had broken a decades-old record, overtaking The Beatles as the non-solo musical act with the most appearances on Billboard’s Hot 100 chart. That same year, the series launched a sold-out national concert tour that was later adapted into a feature documentary film.

News of the reboot has been months in the making. Co-creator Ryan Murphy confirmed in a recent interview with *Entertainment Tonight* that he has already completed a first draft of the reboot script alongside original collaborators Falchuk and Brennan, and has already connected with roughly 10 members of the original cast to share the concept. “It’s very sweet, they all had a lot of questions but they all were very enthusiastic about the idea,” Murphy said, noting that no cast member has formally received a full script to review yet. He added that he is intentionally taking time to share the concept with the original cast first, given the close bonds the team formed during production.

Multiple original cast members have already publicly shared their enthusiasm for a return. Lead actress Lea Michele, who played Rachel Berry, previously told *E! News* that she would jump at the chance to reprise her role, echoing Jane Lynch’s earlier positive comments. “I will always love Glee,” Michele said. “It just holds such a special place in my heart for me… I will follow Ryan wherever he goes.” British singer Max George, who guest starred in the show’s sixth season, told BBC Scotland Wednesday that his experience on the series was one of the highlights of his career, and that he has already reached out to the show’s casting director to express his interest in returning. George also noted that a 10-year break feels like the perfect gap for a revival. “It was probably coming towards the end in terms of the storylines and everything, but 10 years has gone by, and Ryan Murphy will probably come up with something genius. So I’m expecting big things,” he said.

However, the reboot also comes with significant emotional weight, following three tragic early deaths of original cast members that have left lasting impacts on the cast and fanbase. Kurt Hummel actor Chris Colfer recently acknowledged to *Bustle* that bringing the series back would be deeply challenging following the 2020 accidental drowning death of Naya Rivera, who played Santana Lopez, at age 33. “It was a really tough show to do, and it would be really hard to do it now that Naya is gone,” Colfer said. The actor also noted that fan enthusiasm for a reboot is so strong that he would not rule out participating: “But I do know that Glee fans would probably come after me with pitchforks and jazz hands if I said no. So I don’t know, but hopefully I’ll have more information and I can actually think about it.” Rivera’s death marked the third tragic loss for the *Glee* family: Monteith, who played Finn Hudson, died in 2013 at 31 from a combined alcohol and heroin overdose, while original cast member Mark Salling died by suicide in 2018 at 35 while awaiting sentencing on child pornography charges.

Interest in a *Glee* reunion has grown steadily in recent months, with multiple casual cast meetups stirring fan excitement. Just this past Sunday, Darren Criss – who played Blaine Anderson, glee club member and Kurt Hummel’s long-time love interest – brought out Colfer for a surprise duet of *Baby It’s Cold Outside* during a performance at London’s Royal Albert Hall. Earlier this month, original cast members Harry Shum Jr. and Amber Riley reunited on the competition series *Dancing with the Stars*, giving fans another glimpse of the on-screen chemistry that made the original series a hit.

As of the announcement, no release date or full cast lineup has been confirmed for the reboot.

After 43 landmark years reporting from front lines and global hotspots across the world, Christiane Amanpour, CNN’s iconic chief international anchor, has revealed her plan to depart the network in 2025.

In a public statement shared this week, the 68-year-old veteran journalist opened up about the months of deliberation that led to her choice. “After many months of thought and a few sleepless nights, I have decided to separate from CNN, my partner of 43 fantastic years!” she wrote. Looking ahead to her next chapter, Amanpour shared that she is eager to pursue new professional projects, while remaining a steadfast supporter of the network and its decades-long commitment to independent journalism. She closed her statement with a signature call to action for the industry: “Remember: always be truthful, not neutral.”

Amanpour’s career at CNN traces back to 1983, when she joined the organization as an entry-level assistant on the international news desk. Over the following decades, she climbed the ranks to become one of the network’s most recognizable and respected correspondents, building her reputation through unflinching on-the-ground coverage of some of the most consequential conflicts and crises of the late 20th and early 21st centuries. Her resume of major assignments stretches from the First Gulf War — her first breakthrough big-story beat — to the bloody ethnic conflicts of the Bosnian War, the Rwandan genocide, decades of unrest in Afghanistan, the ongoing Russian invasion of Ukraine, and political upheaval in Iran, among many other global events. Since 2009, she has helmed her own eponymous nightly interview program on CNN International, drawing interviews with global leaders, newsmakers, and cultural icons.

CNN Chairman Mark Thompson echoed widespread admiration for Amanpour across the network and the global journalism industry in an internal memo sent to CNN staff on Monday. Thompson confirmed that the decision came after months of private discussions between him and Amanpour, noting that the anchor had weighed her choice thoughtfully. “Like so many CNNers who will hear the news today, I’m very sorry to see her go, but I’ve come to accept that this is the right time for her, both personally and professionally,” Thompson wrote. He called Amanpour “one of the most trusted and beloved journalists anywhere” in the world, and confirmed that the network will plan a series of celebrations to honor her decades of work before her departure next year. Thompson also extended thanks on behalf of CNN’s entire leadership team for Amanpour’s 43 years of extraordinary journalism, unwavering loyalty, and deep friendship.

In her reflections on her decades-long career, Amanpour paid tribute to the colleagues and teams that supported her work through every high-stakes assignment. She expressed gratitude to “all the amazingly talented people I’ve worked with throughout this incredible journey. Especially my beloved show teams and field crews.” Recalling the shared work of delivering accurate, unflinching news to global audiences, she emphasized that team camaraderie was the backbone of CNN’s award-winning international coverage. “It’s the teams and the camaraderie that counted so much,” she said. “as we together battled to seek the facts, the evidence and the humanity, so that CNN could always broadcast the truth about the world and to the world, without fear nor favour.”

After nearly a decade off-screen as a speaking character and years of simmering controversy over racial stereotypes, Apu Nahasapeemapetilon, the beloved convenience store owner of Springfield, has made his official speaking return to the long-running animated sitcom *The Simpsons* — this time voiced by India-born, US-raised actor Sunil Malhotra.

Apu’s surprise comeback landed in Fox’s newly released Sunday episode *The Revengening*, a development that had been kept tightly under wraps by production teams since the character stopped speaking publicly back in 2017’s *The Serfsons*. For years after the controversy erupted, Apu only appeared as a silent background figure in Springfield storylines.

The reintroduction of the character marks a pivotal turning point for the show, which faced widespread criticism over the character’s problematic origins. From his introduction to the *Simpsons* universe in 1990 up until 2020, Apu was voiced by white actor Hank Azaria, who performed the role using a thick, caricatured Indian accent. The debate over the character’s harmful stereotypes erupted into mainstream discourse in 2017, when Indian-American comedian Hari Kondabolu released the documentary *The Problem With Apu*, which argued that the character perpetuated harmful, one-dimensional stereotypes of South Asian people. A 2018 *Simpsons* episode that briefly acknowledged the backlash left many viewers unsatisfied, splitting public opinion: while some defended the show noting that nearly all *Simpsons* characters lean into exaggerated archetypes, others continued to push for meaningful change to the character.

Azaria publicly stepped down from the role in 2020, later telling *Armchair Expert* podcast that he felt compelled to personally apologize to every Indian person in the United States for his part in perpetuating the stereotype. The production team then set out to reimagine the character with a South Asian performer at the helm, ultimately casting Malhotra — an experienced actor whose credits include *Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi*, *The Legend of Vox Machina*, *Grey’s Anatomy* and *The Legend of Korra*.

Malhotra opened up about his mixed initial reaction to the audition in an interview with *Variety*, saying: “When my agent called me about a *Simpsons* audition, I knew exactly what role it was for, and the idea actually made my stomach sink. But admittedly, part of me was also curious. It had been eight years since Apu had spoken on the show, and it got me thinking: Did the writers’ room look different now?” He went on to share that he entered discussions with showrunner Matt Selman and co-executive producer Cesar Mazariegos about how to reframe Apu as a culturally appropriate character fit for 2026, asking a series of core questions: “Could they bring him back in a way that acknowledged and apologised for past mistakes? Could I make the character my own, and reclaim him in some way? And could they achieve all of that in an unmistakably *Simpsons* way that didn’t disappoint fans?”

Describing the project as a reclamation of the character in an Instagram statement, Malhotra noted: “It truly is his homecoming.” He added that the collaborative process with the writing team was designed to satisfy both long-time *Simpsons* fans and South Asian audience members who, like him, had stepped away from the show years ago over the controversy. Alongside Apu’s recasting, the show has also recast Apu’s wife Manjula: the role will now be voiced by Janina Gavankar, known for her work on Apple TV+’s *The Morning Show*, replacing original voice actors Jan Hooks and Tress MacNeille.

The comeback episode leans into the years of off-screen controversy through Apu’s in-universe storyline. The Halloween-themed plot centers on a man in a “Daft Monk” costume (a playful nod to the French electronic music duo Daft Punk) who is accidentally killed repeatedly by Springfield residents, before returning a year later to seek revenge. When he finally removes his helmet at Springfield City Hall to reveal his identity, it is none other than Apu, who tells the gathered crowd: “I am the man you left for dead. I am the one you pretended never existed.” Just as he prepares to burn the building down, Marge Simpson steps in as a stand-in for the show’s producers, saying: “Apu, we’re so sorry we left you for dead. Believe me, we wanted to do the right thing.” Bart Simpson adds: “But we were so scared, and just didn’t know what to do,” before Homer Simpson acknowledges the character’s long-standing place in the town and the mistake of sidelining him, saying: “You were on our bowling teams, our barbershop quartets, our dad rock cover bands. We took you for granted. I took you for granted.”

The episode will be available to stream for UK viewers on Disney+ starting next week.

The entertainment and modeling industries are mourning the loss of 27-year-old Presley Gerber, son of legendary supermodel Cindy Crawford and prominent businessman Rande Gerber, who died on September 20 at a California rehabilitation facility. Law enforcement sources have confirmed his death is being investigated as a suspected drug overdose, with officials ruling out foul play and awaiting additional toxicology testing to confirm the official cause.

In a heartbreaking public tribute posted to Instagram over the weekend, Cindy Crawford shared that her entire family is “beyond heartbroken” following the passing of her eldest child. Accompanied by a tender black-and-white portrait of Presley, Crawford remembered him as a gentle, compassionate person who navigated the world with radical openness and warmth. “He is a sweet, beautiful soul who loved and is loved, now and forever,” she wrote. “We are so proud of how he showed up in the world, with kindness and vulnerability. We feel so blessed to have had Presley in our lives for 27 years.”

Closing the tribute with a message from the entire immediate family, Crawford added, “Til we meet again our sweet boy. We love you forever, Mom, Dad and Kaia,” paired with an angel wings emoji. The post also included Presley’s birth and death dates, and expressed gratitude for the widespread support the family has received from both close contacts and strangers sharing their grief.

Presley Gerber followed in his mother’s modeling footsteps, alongside his younger sister Kaia Gerber, who has also become a globally recognized fashion figure. Presley made his high-profile runway debut at just 16 years old, walking for iconic Italian fashion house Moschino, and went on to build a career in the industry over the following decade.

Kaia Gerber also shared an intimate, devastating tribute to her older brother over the weekend, compiling childhood memories, personal photos, and a hand-typed four-page letter addressed to her brother, whom she nicknamed “prez”. The post featured a video of the pair dancing together as small children and a candid photo of them standing side-by-side along a coastline. In the letter, Kaia recalled small, formative moments they shared – including Presley volunteering to go first when she was scared to get her ears pierced. She opened up about the pain of learning to live without her brother, writing, “But when I held the earring they took from your body, all I could think was: That belongs to you. I am learning how to love you when I cannot see you. How to tell you something without picking up my phone to call you. How to be your sister in a world that I can’t reach for you in.”

In the years leading up to his death, Presley spoke openly about his long struggles with mental health and substance use. He regularly used his own Instagram platform to launch what he called “Mental Health Mondays,” sharing personal videos to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental illness.

Presley’s father Rande Gerber is a well-known hospitality and business figure, best known as the co-founder of the popular Casamigos tequila brand alongside Hollywood star George Clooney.

Officially, the Los Angeles County Medical Examiner has listed Gerber’s case as pending, noting that additional testing and investigation are required to finalize the cause of death. The Santa Monica Police Department has repeatedly stated that there is no evidence to suggest any outside foul play contributed to his death.

For anyone affected by issues of substance use or mental health crisis referenced in this reporting, support resources are available via BBC Action Line, and global support can be accessed through Befrienders Worldwide.