Actor Richard Crenna, the Emmy Award-winning television actor who also made a name for himself in movies as Sylvester Stallone's commanding officer in the Rambo films, died Friday of pancreatic cancer in Los Angeles; he was 76. Crenna started his career in radio and television, appearing on the Burns And Allen radio show and later in two popular TV series, Our Miss Brooks and The Real McCoys. Crenna began pursuing a film career in the mid-`60s, appearing in The Sand Pebbles, Marooned and Wait Until Dark. After toiling in B-movies throughout the `70s, he made a resurgence with 1981's Body Heat, playing the duped husband of Kathleen Turner, and appeared a year later as Col. Samuel Trautman in First Blood, playing mentor to Sylvester Stallone's John Rambo, returning for the two hugely successful Rambo sequels. He also appeared in 1984's The Flamingo Kid, for which he received a Golden Globe nomination, and spoofed his Rambo character in 1993's Hot Shots! Part Deux. Crenna continued working in television through the 90s, most recently appearing in the drama Judging Amy opposite Tyne Daly. Crenna is survived by his wife, Penni, and three children. --Prepared by IMDb staff

Movie star George Clooney was reduced to tears after ripping his Achilles tendon whilst playing basketball. The Ocean's Eleven star is presently walking with crutches because of the accident, which left him in enormous pain. He says, "It was very painful, it just snapped - I didn't hear it snap but I cried like a little girl. I'm not afraid to say that. But my Achilles didn't rip all the way through. I'll know on Monday whether I need surgery."

Hollywood star Russell Crowe will be on his best behavior at this years' British BAFTA awards - following last year's incident when he attacked a TV executive. Fiery Crowe was up in arms at the glittering ceremony in 2002 - he pinned Malcolm Gerrie to the wall and abused him for editing a poem from his acceptance speech. The ruckus was blamed for Crowe's failure to win the Best Actor Oscar the following month. However, newly-engaged Crowe is welcome at this year's event after assuring organisers he will toe the line. A source says, "He sees it as a good opportunity to show off how much he has grown up."

Actress Brooke Shields' pregnancy is a true marvel - because she endured a secret battle with cervical caner in the mid-'90s. The former Suddenly Susan star's mother and ex-manager Teri Shields, has confirmed her daughter's illness - which could well have jeopardized her chances of getting pregnant - although she insists she's beaten it. Teri says, "Yes, Brooke had cervical cancer, but it's over now. This is truly a miracle baby. After seven or eight in vitro attempts, Brooke was getting exhausted and sometimes angry. We're just all overcome with joy." Brooke, who is expecting a baby with her second husband Chris Henchy, is due to give birth to her child on May 17. Teri says, "She'll have the baby in New York. She's a New York girl, born and bred." And Teri insists she has already heard from her grandchild, explaining, "I got a call from Brooke two months ago and she said to me, 'Mom, I want you to hear something.' Next thing I hear is this 'Thump! Thump! Thump!' It was the beating of the baby's heart. And it was strong. And it was thrilling. And finally, it was really happening."

Hollywood action hard man Steven Seagal has been accused of trying to lie his way out of a $500,000 debt. Prosecutors plan to call Under Siege star Seagal as a reluctant witness in the case against Peter Gotti and other alleged members of the Gambino family - who are accused of loan-sharking and racketeering. Defense lawyer George Santangelo says, "If Steven Seagal comes here and testifies there was a threat...I'm going to suggest to you that he's a pathological liar. He has a reputation all over Hollywood as a liar." Seagal, the alleged victim, has never publicly spoken about the case and had to be subpoenaed to testify, prosecutors say. The FBI say reputed capo Anthony "Sonny" Ciccone teamed up with Seagal's former producer, Julius Nasso, to squeeze the martial-arts master for millions of dollars. A crew of mobsters headed by Ciccone reportedly tracked Seagal from New York to Toronto and Hollywood - threatening to kill him if he didn't shell out $150,000 per movie. Prosecutors expect Seagal will back up the story. But Santangelo told jurors,"Every time (Seagal) owed someone money, he cried intimidation. It doesn't happen only here. It happens in other countries."

Star Wars stunner Natalie Portman has become the latest to appear in commercials for Japanese TV - and she's plugging coffee. The 21 year-old actress will join Leonardo DiCaprio, Harrison Ford, Jennifer Lopez and Nicolas Cage promoting products on Japanese television - and she's clinched a reported $1 million for her efforts. According to American tabloid the Star, Portman secretly shot a commercial for the Japanese coffee, Caffe Latte, during her holiday break from the prestigious Harvard University. In it she plays a college student praising the virtues of the foamy java. A source says, "She was a natural. She even speaks a few words of Japanese."

Screen idol Nicole Kidman has been approached by esteemed director Martin Scorsese to depict legendary star Ava Gardner in a new film about the life of Howard Hughes. The Gangs Of New York mastermind has already signed up Leonardo DiCaprio to portray the eccentric billionaire in upcoming movie The Aviator. Hughes, aside from being head of RKO Pictures was a noted flyer, entrepreneur and lover of some of Hollywood's most glamorous women, including Gardner and Katharine Hepburn. Scorsese has also approached Gwyneth Paltrow to take the role of Hepburn, and wants Kidman to consider playing the sultry diva Gardner when he begins shooting the movie this June.

Greg Wise and Emma Thompson have denied reports that they have married in secret. The British movie star couple, who met when making Sense And Sensibility, sparked speculation about their possible nuptials when they began wearing what looked like wedding bands. However they were quick to counter claims they were married. Wise says, "We're not married, I can truly promise you that. We're wearing these bands as a sign of commitment to each other. I suppose you could say they are commitment bands." Emma, speaking from Rome, Italy, where she is filming with Al Pacino and Meryl Streep, says, "It is a private matter between Greg and myself."

The new Harry Potter book is breaking records already - although it won't be in the shops for another five months. Online retailer Amazon.com took 30,000 pre-orders at its UK subsidiary for the fifth book in the series when it was announced it would go on sale on June 21 two days ago. It also leapt to the top of the Hot 100 charts for both adults and children a mere two hours after the worldwide announcement by publisher Bloomsbury. Amazon.com UK Managing Director Robin Terrell says, "Our customers are incredibly excited about this book." Harry Potter And The Order Of The Phoenix will be a third longer than its predecessor, coming in at an incredible 255,000 words.

The wedding dress which appeared in the hit movie My Big Fat Greek Wedding is being made available to brides-to-be - for $1.5 million. The gown and other items of memorabilia from the film, including a script signed by stars Nia Vardalos and John Corbett and producers Tom Hanks and wife Rita Wilson, are up for sale. The seller, 44-year-old bachelor Steve Boloven, bought the items last April in an internet auction to benefit a children's charity. He's now placed classified advertisements in The New York Times, Los Angeles Times and Detroit News.

Legendary American comedian Mel Brooks will be publishing his memoirs in 2004 - and urges fans to read them. The writer-director-actor funnyman, behind such screen hits as Blazing Saddles and The Producers, will write his recollections focusing on his five decades in showbiz. He jokes, "I have always been a huge admirer of my own work. I'm one of the funniest and most entertaining writers I know."