Soupy Sales, pie-splattered comedian who won hearts in early TV days, dead at 83

DETROIT — Soupy Sales, the rubber-faced comedian whose anything-for-a-chuckle career was built on 20,000 pies to the face and 5,000 live TV appearances across a half-century of laughs, has died. He was 83.

Pharmacist: Anna Nicole Smith’s prescription requests were ‘pharmaceutical suicide’

LOS ANGELES — A pharmacist testified Thursday that he refused to provide drugs prescribed to Anna Nicole Smith, telling a doctor the prescriptions would be “pharmaceutical suicide” for the former Playboy model.

‘This is It’; New Michael Jackson single debuts online for global audience

LOS ANGELES — Michael Jackson’s estate is acknowledging that Paul Anka co-wrote the pop singer’s first posthumous single, “This Is It.”

Photographer Irving Penn, who brought artistic ideals to fashion pictures, dies at 92

NEW YORK — Irving Penn, whose photographs revealed a taste for stark simplicity whether he was shooting celebrity portraits, fashion, still life or remote places of the world, died Wednesday at his Manhattan home. He was 92.

Elizabeth Taylor tells Twitter followers she’s going to the hospital for a heart procedure

LOS ANGELES — Elizabeth Taylor says she’s headed to the hospital for a heart procedure.

Ski resort company sets mandatory helmet after Natasha Richardson death

VANCOUVER, British Columbia — Six months after actress Natasha Richardson died following a fall at the Mount Tremblant ski resort in Quebec, the company that operates the facility has announced helmet requirements at its North American resorts.

DJ AM’s death ruled accidental drug overdose

NEW YORK — DJ AM died accidentally from a lethal cocktail of prescription drugs and cocaine, the medical examiner’s office ruled Tuesday.

Father of late Tim Russert dies in NY at 85; ‘Big Russ’ was subject of 2004 best-seller

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The father of the late “Meet the Press” moderator Tim Russert has died in Buffalo, N.Y. He was 85.

Mackenzie Phillips’ new book alleges she had sexual relationship with her dad, John Phillips

CHICAGO — Former child star Mackenzie Phillips said Wednesday that she had a decade-long sexual relationship with her father, pop superstar John Phillips, who also taught her how to roll joints and injected her with cocaine.

The Worst Student We’ve Got: A decade past ‘Rushmore,’ Jason Schwartzman hits his stride

NEW YORK — “Can I do a flashback?” asks Jason Schwartzman.

Giraffe in movies, Toys R Us commercials dies unexpectedly at Boston zoo

BOSTON — A giraffe that starred in a series of TV commercials for Toys R Us and appeared in Jim Carrey’s movie “Ace Ventura: Pet Detective” has died at a Boston zoo.

‘Dirty Dancing’ star Patrick Swayze dies at 57 after battle with pancreatic cancer

LOS ANGELES — Patrick Swayze personified a particular kind of masculine grace both on and off screen, from his roles in films like “Dirty Dancing” and “Ghost” to the way he carried himself in his long fight with pancreatic cancer. Swayze died from the illness on Monday in Los Angeles, his publicist said. He was 57.

‘Dirty Dancing’ star Patrick Swayze dies after nearly 2-year battle with pancreatic cancer

LOS ANGELES — Patrick Swayze, the hunky actor who danced his way into viewers’ hearts with “Dirty Dancing” and then broke them with “Ghost,” died Monday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 57.

Publicist: Patrick Swayze dies at 57; ‘Dirty Dancing’ actor had battled pancreatic cancer

LOS ANGELES — Patrick Swayze, the hunky actor who danced his way into moviegoers’ hearts with “Dirty Dancing” and then broke them with “Ghost,” died Monday after a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 57.

Celebrity author Dominick Dunne eulogized in NY as a great father, gossip and faithful friend

NEW YORK — Chronicler of the rich and powerful Dominick Dunne was eulogized as a great father, gossip and faithful friend at a funeral Mass attended by hundreds from the world of society and celebrity.

Celebrity author Dominick Dunne eulogized in NY as great father, gossip, and faithful friend

NEW YORK — Chronicler of the rich and powerful Dominick Dunne was eulogized as a great father, gossip, and faithful friend at a funeral Mass attended by hundreds from the world of society and celebrity.

Janet Jackson to pay tribute to her late brother at MTV’s Video Music Awards

LOS ANGELES — Janet Jackson will pay tribute to her late brother at the MTV Video Music Awards.

Guest: Jackson funeral touching, emotional; Paris weeps, Katherine falters at mausoleum

GLENDALE, Calif. — Paris Jackson wept as she stepped into the mausoleum where her father, Michael, was to be entombed. Katherine Jackson, overcome by sorrow, turned back when she was faced with her son’s final resting place.

Memorial service for DJ AM in Hollywood resembles 12-step meeting

LOS ANGELES — Attendees at a service for DJ AM say hundreds of friends gathered at the unique memorial fashioned after a 12-step meeting.

Guest: Jackson funeral touching, emotional; mourners moved to tears by Gladys Knight

GLENDALE, Calif. — Michael Jackson, his gold coffin topped by a bejeweled crown placed there by his children, was laid to rest Thursday night at a funeral more than two months after his death and, because of his family’s tardy arrival, nearly two hours late.

Jackson funeral attendee: Gladys Knight moves mourners to tears; mother weary, overcome

GLENDALE, Calif. — A person who attended Michael Jackson’s funeral says it was a simple and tasteful affair, and the singer’s mother was overcome with grief.

Michael Jackson, the King of Pop, laid to rest in private funeral service

GLENDALE, Calif. — The King of Pop has been laid to rest.

Michael Jackson laid to rest in private funeral service

GLENDALE, Calif. — The King of Pop has been laid to rest.