Garner 'stalker' has mental disorder, says aunt
Jennifer Garner's alleged stalker has a mental disorder which doctors have tried to regulate with prescribed medication, according to his aunt.
The Alias star was granted a temporary restraining order against Steven Burky on 7 November (08) after she submitted to the Los Angeles Superior Court an alarming declaration detailing Burky's behavior.
In the document, the actress alleged that "Mr Burky has been stalking and harassing me," sending "packages and letters containing delusional and paranoid thoughts and following me around the country... his obsessive and harassing behavior has escalated to the point of becoming dangerous and threatening."
Burky first initiated contact with Garner in 2002, when he disguised himself as a college student in Ohio and then as a punk rocker at a record store in Los Angeles in order to meet her, according to a report in the New York Daily News.
He even sent an email to a member of Garner's film crew in February (08), begging that the star be warned about a vision he had in which she would be persecuted by a mob.
But according to his aunt Maxine Burky, the 36-year-old's obsession is the result of a psychological condition.
She tells the New York Daily News, "He does have a mental disorder. He's supposed to be taking medication. It's been an infatuation for many years. He's not dangerous."
Maxine insists that the Burky family sympathises with Garner: "Something had to be done. I understand a stalker can ruin someone's life."
In the temporary restraining order, a judge ruled that Burky must stay 100 yards (300 feet/91 metres) from Garner, her husband Ben Affleck and their daughter Violet.
A hearing has been scheduled for Thursday (20Nov08) to make the order permanent, but Burky will not be in court as he is reportedly in a psychiatric ward.
Hanks' wife battles The Beatles seller
Tom Hanks' wife Rita Wilson is in the middle of a legal battle over the non-payment of a The Beatles poster.
The actress agreed to pay $75,000 for a vintage picture of the Fab Four for her husband - provided the seller, Melissa Pearl could provide proof of authenticity, according to papers filed at Los Angeles County Superior Court.
When Pearl was unable to do so, Wilson backed out of the deal, reports celebrity website TMZ.com.
Pearl is now demanding payment for the print - as well as an additional $300,000 "for what Peal absurdly characterised as her time and trouble to obtain the evidence requested by Wilson that the poster was authentic."
Wilson is looking for a judge to legally declare she can walk away from the agreement.
Paltrow begs forgiveness over real fur faux pas
Gwyneth Paltrow is trying to get back in animal rights activists' good books - by apologising to the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' vice president for endorsing a collection of luxury fur goods.
The actress came under fire from PETA and animal rights campaigners after she appeared in Italian designer Tod's advertising campaign draped in fox fur and wearing fur-lined boots.
A spokesperson said at the time that they had wrote to the star many times about the treatment of animals used for fur, but their contact had been rebuffed.
But the 35-year-old, who has previously won praise for her and husband Chris Martin's green credentials, made amends for her fashion faux pas by telling PETA vice president Dan Mathews she didn't realized the fur was real.
Mathews tells Usweekly.com the star approached him at the Fontainebleau Hotel opening party in Miami, Florida at the weekend (15/16Nov08) to give her side of the story.
He reveals, "(Paltrow said), That was awkward, and I'm glad you asked, because I do not wear fur at all.
"It was a daylong photo shoot on a boat near Capri, and there were all sorts of poses with all kinds of clothes - none with fur. During one set-up, a stylist came up from behind and draped a stole around my shoulder.
"I didn't pay much attention to it, and when I noticed it was fur, I assumed it was fake fur, but did not ask, so it's my fault. I know it's not a great excuse, but I hope you and your members understand."
Voight 'hopes' to meet Jolie's twins soon
Angelina Jolie's estranged father Jon Voight is hoping to meet his grandchildren over the festive period - after revealing he still hasn't met his daughter's twins since they were born in July (08).
The Deliverance star and his Oscar-winning daughter were estranged for years following Voight's decision to go public with his concerns for the actress' mental health.
And although the pair allegedly reconciled recently after six years of not speaking, Voight confesses he still hasn't been able to see the latest editions to Jolie's family with actor Brad Pitt: Knox and Vivienne.
When asked by OK! Magazine if he plans to see the twins at Christmas, "The twins! Holy smokes... I'm hoping, so we'll see."
But despite their strained relationship, Voight is proud of his daughter's maternal achievements - because she is happier than ever with her bustling brood of six kids.
He adds, "I saw her here before the twins came, and she was so happy. I've never seen her that happy. And she's got this beautiful film with Clint (Eastwood) out, so there's going to be a lot of energy around that one as well."
Aniston 'laughs her rear end off' at Friends re-runs
Jennifer Aniston admits she watches herself in re-runs of her hit sitcom Friends - insisting she still finds the show that shot her to fame hilarious.
The actress is a huge fan of the long-running series, which she starred in from 1994 until it ended in 2004, and catches Friends episodes whenever she can.
And despite finding it difficult to remember all of the 236 episodes that appear on TV, the show still makes her laugh - so much so, she argues with anyone who isn't a fan of the series.
She tells New York Times magazine, "There are times I don't even remember that particular show. This is horrible to say, but there are times when I laugh my rear end off.
"And I get in debates with people who are over and say, 'Friends is not my thing'. Excuse you!"
But despite Friends' huge success and popularity, Aniston isn't sure it would work as well in today's TV market.
She adds, "That was a different time. Now TV has too much to do with celebrity. We have reality television, where people try to become celebrities."
Spears' songwriter: 'Britney didn't write track for paparazzo lover'
Britney Spears' songwriting partner has denied the pop superstar wrote an ode to her paparazzo ex-boyfriend Adnan Ghalib for her forthcoming album Circus.
According to Us Weekly magazine, lyricist Nicole Morier revealed the inspiration for the album track Mmm Papi came from Spears' tumultuous romance with the British photographer.
Morier reportedly told the magazine, "It's about someone I'm sure you can guess," with a source adding, "It's a gift to him (Ghalib). She is crazy for him."
But Morier claims she never hinted to the reporter that the song was based on Spears' relationship with the snapper - insisting he wasn't part of the singer's life when she penning her new material.
She tells Perezhilton.com, "I never said that to Us Weekly! The song is definitely not about Adnan and in the whole time I worked with her last spring and summer I never once saw that guy.
"We strictly wrote the song for fun. The Mmm Papi part came out of Mmm Papa Luv U and I came up with it because the track was a fun up beat track and we wanted to do something crazy like mmmpapamowow.
And the songwriter admits she wants to halt any further speculation surrounding the star - because Spears seems to have finally got her life and career back on track.
Morier adds, "Please be kind to Britney and I and post this correction. She was oh so sweet and professional to work with, and I believe she's really gotten her life together."
Longoria Parker opts for all-fish diet
Desperate Housewives star Eva Longoria Parker has given up meat in a bid to lose weight and get healthy.
The actress, who studied to become a fitness trainer at college, has put her nutritional knowledge to good use and opted for a new all-fish diet - and she admits it's already paying off.
She reveals, "I love it... It really has effected my body... It takes a lot for the body to process red meat and I've never been a fan of chickens."
Hilton friends confirm split
Friends close to Paris Hilton have confirmed she and boyfriend Benji Madden have split after a nine-month romance.
The couple split at the beginning of the week (17Nov08) after Hilton was snapped partying with ex-boyfriend Stavros Niarchos in Miami, Florida.
A source close to Hilton tells People.com, "She is saddened by the break-up but they're just too different and they wanted different things in life. He was loyal and sweet but it was time to take a break."
But the Hilton contact denies reports the socialite dumped Madden to reconcile with Niarchos: "In no way are they romantic, nor do they want to get back together."
And Vanessa Fontana, a contestant on Hilton's new reality show BFF, has also confirmed the sad news.
She tells Life & Style magazine, "Sadly, it's true. Paris and Benji have split. I love Paris, and I just want her to be happy. I think that they'll be better as friends.
"Nobody else is involved. Paris and Benji were loyal and faithful to each other. I was with Paris in Miami, and Stavros came over to our table, and the two of them talked for literally two minutes. It was a friendly conversation. They definitely did not hook up."
Pitt & Jolie plan another foreign Christmas
Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are updating their passports for another Christmas abroad with their six kids.
The couple plans to spend the holidays in either Africa or Asia after enjoying Christmas in their adopted New Orleans, Louisiana last year (07).
Pitt explains, "We wanna go to one of the kids' places of origin and spend time there."
The couple's three adopted children come from Cambodia, Vietnam and Ethiopia. Their daughter Shiloh was born in Namibia and twins Knox and Vivienne were delivered in a Nice, France hospital earlier this year (08).
Eckhart wants Jolie to play Catwoman
Angelina Jolie has been nominated to play Catwoman in a future Batman movie, by The Dark Knight star Aaron Eckhart.
Eckhart, who played Harvey Dent/Two Face in the last installment of the legendary superhero franchise, is rumored to return in the next Batman movie, and he would love to act alongside a lycra-clad Jolie - if director Christopher Nolan chooses to intoduce the feline baddie.
He says, "I thought that was a fantastic idea."
And he's convinced any Batman movie with Jolie involved, would eclipse those already made.
Eckhart adds, "When I read that, I felt like all of our records that we made (would) be broken if she did Catwoman."
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