BIRTHS
Jodie Sweetin (a.k.a. Full House's Stephanie), 26, filled up her own
house with the addition of daughter Zoie on April 12 in Long Beach,
Calif. Dad is Sweetin's husband, set designer Cody Herpin.... Actress
Cate Blanchett, 38, delivered Ignatius Martin, her son with
screenwriter/husband Andrew Upton (Gone), in Sydney on April 13.... It's
a girl for Law & Order alum Elisabeth Röhm, 35, and fiancé Ron Wooster.
Daughter Easton arrived April 10 in L.A.
ENGAGED
Singer Ashlee Simpson, 23, and Fall Out Boy bassist Pete Wentz, 28,
announced in a blog post that they're getting married. In an interview
with MTV News, Wentz denied rumors that Simpson is pregnant. Said a rep
for the couple in a statement: ''We are thrilled to confirm their
engagement.... Beyond that there is nothing to add.''
RECONCILED
Sean Penn, 47, and Robin Wright Penn, 42, withdrew their petition to
divorce on April 8 in Marin County, Calif. The couple, who've been
married for 12 years, filed for the split in December 2007.
COURTS
Jessica Gibson, an ex-nanny to Rob Lowe (Brothers & Sisters), filed a
$50,000 countersuit in Santa Barbara on April 14 alleging that Lowe, 44,
sexually assaulted her while she worked in his home between 2005 and
2008. An attorney for the actor — who last week sued Gibson, 24, and two
of his other former employees for defamation and breach of contract — said
''the allegations in the complaint are simply untrue.''... Mischa Barton,
22, was placed on three years' probation after pleading no contest to
DUI on April 10 in L.A. She was arrested in December 2007 on suspicion
of driving under the influence and marijuana possession, though the pot
charges have been dropped.
AILING
Kenny Baker, 73, who played R2-D2 in all six Star Wars movies, was
reportedly hospitalized April 9 in England for an undisclosed illness.
DEATH
Pioneering animator Ollie Johnston, 95, the last of Walt Disney's ''Nine
Old Men'' who worked on films including Snow White, Pinocchio, and
Fantasia, of natural causes, April 14, in Sequim, Wash. ''Ollie had such
a huge heart, and it came through in all of his animation, which is why
his work is some of the best ever done,'' said John Lasseter, head of
Pixar/Disney animation, in a statement. — With additional reporting by Michael J. Powe
Legacy
STANLEY KAMEL (1943 -- 2008)
The character actor, who died April 8 in Hollywood of a heart attack,
lent his talents to countless series: from bit parts on Mission:
Impossible and Charlie's Angels to recurring roles on Melrose Place and
Beverly Hills, 90210. More recently, he charmed audiences as wry
therapist Dr. Kroger on USA's Monk. ''Stanley's...professionalism was
only surpassed by his warmth, humor, and generosity of spirit,'' said
Monk star Tony Shalhoub in a statement. ''I will
miss him terribly.''
