Entertainment

Ryan Reynolds is almost as famous for his ads as he is for his acting, and that was on display Sunday night during AMC’s series finale of The Walking Dead.

Reynolds’ Maximum Effort company teamed up with AMC’s Content Room and Jimmy Kimmel‘s Kimmelot for a series of spots that used already dead characters from the show to hawk for DoorDash, Ring doorbells and accounting company Deloitte.

Laurie Holden, whose Andrea was killed off in the third season of the show, was alive and well again — well, not really alive, but undead — in the spot for Deloitte, in which she appeared in full zombie makeup and spoke of the company’s pursuit of “the juiciest brains” to help its customers.

Similarly, the decapitated head of Joe Ando-Hirsh‘s Rodney uses a random finger in his teeth to call for DoorDash and to try to share a bite with the delivery man. The driver doesn’t fall for it, taking his “delivery proof” picture from a safe distance.

Andrew West‘s undead Gareth uses his Ring to keep his distance from a real menace: human solicitors asking for donations.

Dallas Roberts‘ Milton was reanimated for a DED Talk, in which he boasts of Autodesk software’s ability to help him create — in this case a groan-powered doorknob to help his fellow walkers usually stymied by closed doors.

For his part, Reynolds told Deadline, “Ads should be fun. The Walking Dead has generated more cultural conversation over the last decade than any other property and we wanted to honor that by bringing a few characters back from the dead in some fun contextual ads. (Commercials) can be a part of the cultural conversation as they once so frequently were. They just need a little more love, attention and mischief.”

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Jay Leno was released from Los Angeles’ Grossman Burn Center on Monday, but before he left, he took a smiling photo with his caregivers at the medical center.

The comic and former Tonight Show host was pictured in his usual uniform of head to toe denim; the left side of his face, which had been set ablaze after it was sprayed with gasoline in an accident at his Burbank, California, garage on November 12, showed signs of redness and peeling. His appearance was certainly better than one might have expected after suffering such serious burns, which he also suffered on his neck, chest and hand.

Aimee Bennett, a spokesperson for the Grossman Burn Center, released the photo to the media with Jay’s permission. “After a 10-day stay at the facility, Jay will receive follow-up care at the Grossman Outpatient Burn Clinic,” she explained, adding Dr. Peter Grossman stated he is “pleased with Jay’s progress, and … optimistic that he will make a full recovery.” Leno was said to be feeling discomfort, with Bennett passing along that the 72-year-old has “has a very high pain threshold.”

She added, “Jay would like to let everyone know how thankful he is for the care he received, and is very appreciative of all of the well-wishes. He is looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with his family and friends and wishes everyone a wonderful holiday.”

Leno was reportedly in very good spirits. In fact, Bennett explained to assembled press that she asked “Mr. Leno” if he wanted the facility to put the news of his release out to his publicist to inform the media, and instead he told her, “Just go out there and tell them I’m fine! Also, please call me JAY.”

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(NOTE LANGUAGE) Cheryl Burke has announced that she is leaving Dancing with the Stars as a pro at the conclusion of season 31.

Burke shared the news in an Instagram post on Sunday, writing, “This has been one of the absolute hardest decisions of my life & I am also confident that it is the right one.”

Burke called DWTS her “2nd family” and one she has been part of since she was 21. She started on the show in season 2 and won the Mirrorball Trophy her first two seasons. Burke has been a pro for 25 seasons, only skipping five seasons since joining.

“I also know that it is time for me to begin the next phase of my career, although dance will always be a part of me,” she continued. “I am excited about the idea of evolving, about being challenged in new ways, having the ability to expand my commitment to mental health advocacy, focusing on my new found love for podcasting, & I’m ready to face the uncertainty (though it’s scary as sh**) of what the future holds – I do have a few things up my sleeves though, so don’t worry,” adding a winky face emoji.  

Burke said her farewell dance, taking place during the November 21 finale for season 31, is “dedicated to all of YOU that have supported me, loved me even if you didn’t know me, & who have been such a huge part of my life, my growth, & my story.”

She added, “Though there aren’t enough words to express my deep gratitude & love to my entire DWTS family I will end with this: thank you for being my rock & foundation for close to two decades during the difficult moments & most of all, thank you for giving ballroom dancing the credit & attention it deserves.”

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The sequel Black Panther: Wakanda Forever again reigned atop the box office over this weekend, with a worldwide take that’s closing in on the $550 million mark.

For actress Danai Gurira, who reprises as Dora Milaje leader Okoye, the movie was an emotional rollercoaster, set off, naturally, by the 2020 death of her “brother,” Black Panther lead Chadwick Boseman.

Her loss played into how unmoored Okoye comes to feel in the film, The Walking Dead veteran recently explained at a press event. Wakanda Forever sees the seemingly invincible Okoye not only defeated in combat but stripped of her status as general of the queen’s guard, and banished by Angela Bassett‘s grieving Queen Ramonda.

In the movie’s early action scenes, Okoye goes toe to webbed feet with a group of Talokanil warriors, finding the super-powered undersea dwellers too much for even her. The fight required extensive training, as did the movie’s underwater fight scenes — which earned a laugh from the actress in retrospect.

Gurira admits with a smile, “Well, you know, there are two sides of me. You know, there’s the side that, you know, gets it, and the side that’s like, ‘Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. Really? Do we have to?’ … And then the other side took over and understood that this was actually great. And I’m very thankful for the idea that these characters get to explore so many facets of their humanness.”

She explains, “I think that that is something that is crucial, honestly, with a platform this unprecedented is that we see…the kaleidoscope of their humanness and the world gets to see that because it isn’t very common. You know, we don’t get to see that do that much [in movies].”

Marvel Studios is owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.

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Former Goldbergs star Jeff Garlin surprised fans back in September when he admitted he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder; his Curb Your Enthusiasm wife Susie Essman gave an update to Page Six.

“He’s working very hard,” the comedienne and actress said. “He’s on his meds, and he’s working in therapy, and he’s working hard to manage it.”

Garlin’s Goldbergs patriarch Murray was killed off-camera following his dismissal from the show for reported bullying and other on-set behavior. The show resumes without him.

However, like Susie is, Garlin is back to work on the 12th season of Larry David‘s Emmy-winning comedy, in which Garlin plays Larry’s manager Jeff Green. The 67-year-old Essman teased to Page Six at a New York City red carpet event Friday, “I just came home for Thanksgiving, and this is the funniest season.”

She added, “I’ve already lost my voice screaming and yelling at Larry and Jeff, so more to come. I mean, I literally got laryngitis from screaming at them, but they deserve it, don’t they?”

Essman also joked how fans are “visibly disappointed” when they meet her in person and find out she’s not as high-strung as her Curb alter-ego. “I don’t love yelling and screaming,” she admits. “I love the character Susie Green. In my real life, I don’t behave that way. People stop me on the street and I’m gracious to them, and I can see in their faces they’re…upset that I’m being nice.”

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Former Goldbergs star Jeff Garlin surprised fans back in September when he admitted he was diagnosed with bipolar disorder; his Curb Your Enthusiasm wife Susie Essman gave an update to Page Six.

“He’s working very hard,” the comedienne and actress said. “He’s on his meds, and he’s working in therapy, and he’s working hard to manage it.”

Garlin’s Goldbergs patriarch Murray was killed off-camera following his dismissal from the show for reported bullying and other on-set behavior. The show resumes without him.

However, like Susie is, Garlin is back to work on the 12th season of Larry David‘s Emmy-winning comedy, in which Garlin plays Larry’s manager Jeff Green. The 67-year-old Essman teased to Page Six at a New York City red carpet event Friday, “I just came home for Thanksgiving, and this is the funniest season.”

She added, “I’ve already lost my voice screaming and yelling at Larry and Jeff, so more to come. I mean, I literally got laryngitis from screaming at them, but they deserve it, don’t they?”

Essman also joked how fans are “visibly disappointed” when they meet her in person and find out she’s not as high-strung as her Curb alter-ego. “I don’t love yelling and screaming,” she admits. “I love the character Susie Green. In my real life, I don’t behave that way. People stop me on the street and I’m gracious to them, and I can see in their faces they’re…upset that I’m being nice.”

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Leslie Jordan was honored by fans Sunday in his hometown of Chattanooga, Tennessee, reports WTVC. Fans gathered to celebrate the late Call Me Kat and Will & Grace actor at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Auditorium, for a night of comedy and music. Ticket sales benefitted CEMPA Community Care, which Jordan supported during his life. Jordan died October 24 in a car crash. He was 67…

Amy Jo Johnson, the original Pink Power Ranger, honored Jason David Frank on Instagram. Frank, who played the original Green Power Ranger in Mighty Morphin Power Rangers, died Sunday at age 49. “Jase, you were beautiful and truly unique. My life just won’t be the same without your frenetic, hilarious, caring, driven and creative ball of energy. I will always love you, dear friend. Please Rest now In Peace…,” Johnson wrote. A cause of death has not been confirmed at this time…

Barbie director Greta Gerwig teased the costumes star Ryan Gosling will wear as Ken. “I really, I couldn’t say, but it’s a lot — it’s a lot, it’s a lot,” she told Variety. While some outfits have leaked online, Gerwig says fans are “not even close” to seeing Gosling’s entire wardrobe. Barbie arrives in theaters July 21, 2023…

Speaking of Gosling, his longtime partner Eva Mendes referred to the actor as her “husband,” furthering speculation the pair tied the knot. Entertainment Tonight reports the actress appeared on Australia’s Today and told the anchors, “My husband Ryan is here… Our children are here. We’re having the best time.” This comes days after Mendes sparked marriage rumors when she shared her new wrist tattoo that reads “de Gosling,” which means “of Gosling” in English. The pair, who were romantically linked in 2011, share eight-year-old Esmeralda and six-year-old Amanda…

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Michael J. Fox accepted an honorary Oscar in an emotional speech at the 13th Annual Governors Awards on Saturday in Los Angeles.

The beloved Back To The Future lead received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which honors individuals “whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry,” for his work with The Michael J. Fox Foundation, which funds research into Parkinson’s disease.

“It made me feel really proud of all the people who work at the foundation. All the patients who contributed their life stories,” Fox told Good Morning America on the red carpet. “It’s really humbling, I mean, it’s truly humbling.”

Parkinson’s disease is a progressive disorder that affects the central nervous system and impairs movement, often including tremors, according to the Mayo Clinic. Currently, there is no known cause or cure for Parkinson’s disease.

Fox was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 1991 and subsequently became an advocate for finding a cure. He founded The Michael J. Fox Foundation in 2000 and the foundation has since become the largest non-profit funder of Parkinson’s disease research in the world and has funded more than $1.5 billion of research projects to date, according to the foundation’s website.

Fox, who retired from acting in 2020 due to the progression of his disease, was supported by his wife Tracy Pollen, his four children, as well as his longtime-friend, and Back To The Future co-star, Christopher Lloyd on Saturday night while he received the high honor.

“My optimism is fueled by my gratitude,” Fox said during his acceptance speech. “With gratitude, optimism is sustainable.”

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Black Panther: Wakanda Forever remains #1 at the box office, with studio estimates saying it earned an additional $67 million in its second week of release.  Its global totals have reached $546 million. The Marvel Studio’s Black Panther sequel opened in North America with an estimated $180 million and set a record for the biggest November opening of all time, beating The Hunger Games: Catching Fire.  Marvel is owned by Disney, the parent company of ABC News.

Dining in second place was Searchlight Pictures’ new dark comedy The Menu, which stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Nicholas Hoult and Ralph Fiennes. The well-reviewed thriller opened with an estimated $9 million across 3,100 theaters.

Shocking in third was The Chosen, which aired its first two episodes across 2,009 theaters and drew in an estimated $8.2 million. The crowdfunded streaming series, distributed by Fathom Events, is about the life of Jesus Christ.

Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson‘s Black Adam fell to fourth place this week, earning an estimated $4.5 million.

Rounding out the top five was rom-com Ticket to Paradise, which collected an additional $3.2 million in its fifth week of release.

Meanwhile, She Said bombed in its opening week. The movie starred Carey Mulligan and Zoe Kazan as The New York Times’ Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor, respectively, who covered the sexual abuse allegations against movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, who at the time was one of the most powerful men in Hollywood. Despite the rave reviews and Oscars buzz, the movie disappointed with an estimated opening of $2.3 million.

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Mighty Morphin Power Rangers fans are mourning the death of Jason David Frank, the original Green Power Ranger.  Frank was 49.

Publicist Justine Hunt confirmed his passing to ABC News. “Please respect the privacy of his family and friends during this horrible time as we come to terms with the loss of such a wonderful human being,” Hunt said in a statement. “He loved his family, friends and fans very much. He will be truly missed.”

Frank played Tommy Oliver on Power Rangers, which debuted on Fox in 1993, and was hailed as one of the series’ most popular characters.

Frank’s character later took on the mantles of the White Power Ranger, Red Zeo Ranger, the Red Turbo Ranger and the Black Dino Ranger.  He made his final franchise appearance in 2018 and also made a cameo alongside original Pink Power Ranger Amy Jo Johnson in the 2017 Power Rangers movie.

Walter Emanuel Jones, the original Black Power Ranger, paid tribute to his late costar on Instagram. “Can’t believe it…. RIP Jason David Frank. My heart is sad to have lost another member of our special family.” he wrote while sharing a group photo of him and Frank, as well as Austin St. John and David Yost, respectively the original Red and Blue Power Rangers.

St. John also honored Frank in a post, writing, “‘Once a ranger, always a ranger’ thoughts and prayers…”

Frank is predeceased by costar Thuy Trang, the original Yellow Power Ranger, who died in a car accident in 2001.

Aside from acting, Frank was a professional mixed martial artist with an eighth degree black belt in karate. He also ran the Rising Sun Karate Academy.

Frank is survived by two sons, Jacob and Hunter, and two daughters, Jenna and Skye.

A cause of death is unconfirmed.

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