Ruth Marx (1935–2021), Doublemint Gum jingle singer and Richard Marx’s mother

Elvis Presley was once tasked with spying on John Lennon by then-US president Richard Nixon, according to legendary music presenter and DJ ‘Whispering’ Bob Harris.In a new interview on the Rockonteurs podcast, Harris spoke of how Nixon “loathed” the Beatles star due to his public and vicious criticism of the Vietnam War.During the interview with hosts Gary Kemp and Guy Pratt, Harris claimed that Nixon recruited Presley, who was a “great friend” of the late President, to spy on Lennon, adding

Warner Bros’ King Richard, the Will Smith-starring drama about Serena and Venus Williams’ father and how he raised a pair of tennis champions, will close AFI Fest this fall. Organizer American Film Institute said Wednesday that the pic, which world premiered earlier this month at the Telluride Film Festival, will wrap up the annual fest November 14 at the TCL Chinese Theatre in Hollywood.

Pat Saperstein Deputy EditorWill Smith starrer “King Richard” will close the AFI Fest on Nov. 14 at the TCL Chinese Theatre, the American Film Institute announced Wednesday.Directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green, the film follows Richard Williams, the father of Venus and Serena Williams, and his life raising the champion athletes.

Ruth Olay was a jazz singer who worked with notable musicians including Duke Ellington (1899–1974) and Benny Carter (1907–2003).Though she learned piano as a child and became a piano prodigy, Olay turned to singing as a young woman, and it was with her voice that she made a name for herself in the jazz world.

George Wein was a jazz impresario who founded the groundbreaking Newport Jazz Festival.Founded by Wein in 1954, the Newport Jazz Festival, held each summer in Newport, Rhode Island, is the United States’ premiere outdoor jazz festival. Jazz greats who have played the festival include Miles Davis (1926–1991), Duke Ellington (1899–1974), Ella Fitzgerald (1917–1996), Billie Holiday (1915–1959), and Judy Garland (1922–1969), among countless others.

Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni were all smiles while watching the tennis at the US Open — see the pics here. The Law & Order: SVU co-stars were photographed enjoying each other’s company in the Grey Goose box at the historic sporting event, however Chris took his longtime pal by surprise when he arrived.

Refresh for updates: Twenty years after the horrific attacks of 9/11, America remembered the terror of planes turned into missiles, the nearly 3,000 lives lost and the courage displayed in response. From the memorial sites in New York, Shanksville, PA, at the Pentagon itself and across the land and the world, voices of commemoration rose up — and Hollywood was no exception.

Grace Gummer and Mark Ronson are officially husband and wife!