[AKA2D '91]

Actress Nell Carter Died Naturally
Tue May 6, 2:36 PM ET


LOS ANGELES - Nell Carter (news), who played the sassy housekeeper on the 1980s TV sitcom "Gimme a Break!" died of natural causes, the coroner's office said Tuesday.



An autopsy and toxicological tests determined the death was natural because of probable heart disease and diabetes complications, said coroner's Capt. Deborah Peterson.


Carter died Jan. 23 at age 54 after collapsing in her Beverly Hills home. She had undergone two brain operations in 1992 to fix aneurysms.


Blessed with a big voice and a strong stage presence despite her 4-foot-11 height, she won a Tony Award in 1978 for her sultry turn in the Broadway musical "Ain't Misbehavin'" and an Emmy in 1982 for a TV broadcast of the show, which was a revue of Fats Waller songs. Her quietly soulful number "Mean to Me" was a show highlight.


Carter received two more Emmy nominations in 1982 and 1983 for "Gimme a Break!" playing a housekeeper to a family headed by a widower who was the town police chief. The show ran from 1981 to 1987.


She also played the cruel orphanage operator Miss Hannigan in the 1997 Broadway revival of "Annie" and appeared in the movies "The Grass Harp" (1995), "Modern Problems" (1981) and "Hair" (1979).

'Welcome, Back Kotter' Actor Arrested
48 minutes ago

By The Associated Press

LOS ANGELES - Lawrence Hilton-Jacobs, who played Freddie "Boom Boom" Washington on the '70s sitcom "Welcome, Back Kotter," was arrested for investigation of misdemeanor domestic battery for allegedly pushing a woman to the ground during an argument, police said.



Hilton-Jacobs was roller-skating with the 42-year-old woman at Venice Beach when two officers heard a commotion about 2:30 p.m. Sunday, investigated and arrested the actor, police spokeswoman Grace Brady said. Brady said there were no visible injuries to the alleged victim, whose name was not released.


Hilton-Jacobs was booked, with bond set at $20,000, and was released from custody late Monday.


The 49-year-old didn't immediately return a call Tuesday for comment placed through his agent, Fran Tolstonog.


Hilton-Jacobs also appeared in the 1970s films "Claudine" and "Cooley High" and in the TV miniseries "Roots."

Rapper 50 Cent Sued by New York Doctor
Tue May 6, 6:44 PM ET Add Entertainment - Reuters to My Yahoo!


By Jeanne King

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A New York surgeon is suing rapper 50 Cent alleging he owes more than $32,000 in fees for the treatment of gunshot wounds nearly three years ago.



According to the civil complaint filed in Manhattan Supreme Court on Tuesday, 50 Cent, who also is known as Curtis Jackson, and friend Charles Johnson showed up at Jamaica Hospital Medical Center in the New York borough of Queens on May 24, 2000, "with multiple gunshot wounds."


No one has been arrested for that shooting and the legal document does not say how many wounds 50 Cent suffered.


The complaint alleges that the surgeon, Nader Paksima treated 50 Cent for the gunshot wounds, including the use of X-rays and post-surgical treatment both in the emergency room and hospital.


"Despite repeated requests for payment to date, the sum of $32,511.87 ... remains due and owing," said Christopher Galiardo, the surgeon's lawyer.


"My client feels that 50 Cent has prospered and moved on with his career since the shooting. Dr. Paksima found 50 Cent to be a nice, charismatic man and we are hopeful he will settle this before going to trial," the lawyer said.


The 27-year-old rapper's attorney in the civil matter, Mark Gann, did not return calls for comment.


A protege of Eminem (news - web sites) and slain hip hop pioneer Jam Master Jay, 50 Cent has bragged in interviews to promote his CD "Get Rich or Die Tryin"' that he was once a crack cocaine dealer and has been shot nine times.


In January, 50 Cent was arrested with four other men on weapons possession charges after police found two loaded guns in their car. He faces up to 15 years behind bars if convicted on the weapons charge.