Reuters People News Summary
Following is a summary of current people news briefs.
Amber Heard sues comedian Stanhope for defamation over Johnny Depp
Lawyers for actress Amber Heard filed a defamation lawsuit against comedian Doug Stanhope on Friday after he wrote an article accusing her of blackmailing and manipulating her estranged husband, actor Johnny Depp. The complaint was filed in Cochise County, Arizona, against Stanhope and 20 unnamed individuals associated with the comedian.
Muhammad Ali, boxing great and cultural symbol, dead at 74
Former world heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali, whose record-setting boxing career, flair for showmanship and political stands made him one of the best-known figures of the 20th century, died on Friday aged 74. Ali, who had long suffered from Parkinson's syndrome which impaired his speech and made the once-graceful athlete almost a prisoner in his own body, died a day after he was admitted to a Phoenix-area hospital with a respiratory ailment.
Muhammad Ali: 'Greatest' boxer, showman, ambassador
More than 60 years ago, a bicycle thief in Louisville, Kentucky, unknowingly set in motion one of the most amazing sports careers in history. An angry 12-year-old Cassius Clay went to a policeman on that day in 1954, vowing he would find the thief who took his bike and have his revenge. The policeman's advice was to learn to box first so Clay, who would later change his name to Muhammad Ali, went to a gym, where he learned quite well.
Eisenberg makes 'nerve-racking' UK stage debut with 'The Spoils'
Oscar-nominated actor Jesse Eisenberg brings his self-penned play "The Spoils" to London audiences, making "a nerve-racking" stage debut in Britain which he regards as a theater mecca. The tragicomedy, in which Eisenberg also stars, showed off-Broadway last year and the production has transferred to the West End for a limited season.
Life of rock superstar Prince celebrated in new comic book
Prince, the innovative, Grammy-winning musician who died of an accidental, self-inflicted overdose of a powerful painkiller in April, is being honored with a comic book about his life. "Tribute: Prince," the 24-page comic book by Blue Water Productions, will celebrate the career of the 57-year-old superstar whose music blended jazz, funk, R&B, disco and rock.
Whitney Houston's awards, costumes, memorabilia to be sold at auction
Awards, costumes and memorabilia from the estate of the late Grammy-winning singer and actress Whitney Houston will be sold during a two-day auction in California later this month. Heritage Auctions said highlights of June 24-25 sale in Beverly Hills will include Houston's 1986 Emmy for her performance at the 28th Annual Grammy Awards, which is expected to fetch $10,000, and her personal script for the 1995 film "Waiting to Exhale," which could sell for $1,000.
Art, furniture and more from the Reagans' home to be auctioned
Furniture, artwork, jewelry and collectible objects that once graced the Los Angeles home of President Ronald Reagan and his wife, Nancy, are headed for the auction block, Christie's said on Thursday. The landmark sale, a series of live and online auctions scheduled for September, also encompasses decorative pieces of art, books, ephemera, sculpture, drawings and prints from the Reagans' home in the affluent Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles.
Madonna prevails in copyright lawsuit over 'Vogue' song
Pop singer Madonna prevailed on Thursday in a copyright lawsuit over her song "Vogue" that alleged one of her producers copied a fraction-of-a-second segment of horns from a song he had also worked on. In a 2-1 vote, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Pasadena, California ruled that a general audience would not recognize the 0.23-second snippet in "Vogue" as originating from the song "Love Break."
