A visitor to the Italian estate of “Star Wars” creator George Lucas was surprised to see Robert De Niro there.
The two have been fast friends since De Niro launched the Tribeca Film Festival in May 2002, and Lucas provided “Star Wars: Episode II – Attack of the Clones” despite it barely finishing post-production in time.
But there was a bigger surprise at Il Convento Viandante del Cielo, the 60-acre estate and winery in Umbria that used to be a 16th-century Capuchin monastery.
Prince Harry, on a European trip from his home in California, was also a guest of Lucas.
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Neil deGrasse Tyson won’t be surprised if space aliens arrive on earth.
The astrophysicist doubts that our planet is the one and only source of life in the Milky Way.
“Anyone who has studied the question and knows astrophysics fully believes it is likely,” said Tyson, who was slated to sign copies of his latest book “Take Me to Your Leader” on Saturday, Aug. 8, at the East Hampton Library’s 22nd annual Authors Night fundraiser.
Tyson doesn’t fear aliens because they’ll likely be much smarter than us. “If there’s life at all, there’s no reason it couldn’t be far more advanced than us and far more intelligent.”
The author references “Star Trek,” Cartoon Network’s “Rick and Morty” and the lyrics of Katy Perry. It draws inspiration from the French philosopher Voltaire, and explores the idea that Superman, an alien, could potentially kill us all by farting.
Space aliens are usually depicted in science fiction as humanoid with arms and legs and two eyes. But Tyson doubts there is any resemblance.
“Who’s to say they don’t look like octopuses or gaseous clouds? What if they’re the size of fleas?” he said.
Also at the library benefit will be Don Lemon, the former CNN host who wrote “I Once Was Lost: My Search for God in America.”
Lemon, now hosting his own show on YouTube, told me, “I’m appealing to a younger, bigger audience. I’m working my ass off.”
When it was suggested that he is now more powerful and more famous than ever, Lemon replied, “I live it, so I don’t know. I’m too close to it.”
Lemon, who shares a house in Sag Harbor with his husband, Tim Malone, is open about seeing a therapist and taking an antidepressant. “I came back in technicolor,” he said. “If you have an issue, seek help.”
A third scribe at the Authors Night will be Harriet Newman Cohen, the divorce lawyer who wrote “Passion and Power: A Life in Three Worlds.”
“I wanted to tell my story because the world I grew up in doesn’t exist anymore. And I remember it all,” Cohen said.
After the 100 authors sign books for their readers, they’ll disperse to dinner parties at private homes to mingle with their fans.
The authors include Robert A. Caro, Tom Freston, Paul Goldberger, Michael Gross, Aphrodite Jones, Tom Junod, Andrew Lownie and Jay McInerney.
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Gary Dell’Abate, the executive producer of The Howard Stern Show since 1984, is looking to exit now that Stern has cut back his workload to one show a week on Sirius XM Radio.
Dell’Abate, who titled his autobiography “They Call Me Baba Booey,” “wants to go out on a high note,” said my source.
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Singer and author Michelle Grace launches her new children’s picture book “I’m Right Here,” featuring illustrations by Lea Androic, this fall. The bedtime story was inspired by the bond she shares with her young daughter Mira.
“It was through play and storytelling that we learned from each other. Those experiences became the foundation of the books I write today,” Grace said. “My daughter reminds me every day to be a kid and follow my heart.”
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Elvis Presley staged a triumphant return to Las Vegas on July 31, 1969 after being absent for almost a decade.
Wearing a classy black outfit, Elvis performed for 2,000 adoring fans. That residency at the International Hotel broke all box office records and reenergized his career.
Among the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll’s favorite instruments were his acoustic guitars. One he began strumming in the 1950s, is now being sold for $650K by MS Rau in New Orleans.
The classical guitar has a polished body, and black trim with his boldly written signature on the soundboard.
After one of his shows in 1976, Elvis took the instrument from his car, performed “That’s All Right” on the spot and then gave the guitar to a friend.
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Dakota Johnson, Audra McDonald, Michael Phelps, Billy Joel and Christie Brinkley’s daughter Alexa Ray Joel, and Brooke Shields’ daughter Grier Henchy have all been honored by Audrey Gruss’ Hope for Depression Research Foundation.
Since its inception 20 years ago, the foundation has contributed more than $80 million to cutting-edge research.
The organization’s 5k Race of Hope is open to the public and taking place on Sunday, Aug. 2 in Southampton. To sign up go to southampton.raceofhopeseries.com.
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Rock star Yoshiki, who just had back-to-back sold-out concerts at Disney Hall in LA, donated over $100K to the Red Cross to support wildfire relief efforts in France and Spain and another $500k for the California fires.
The donation follows his performances with Grammy-winner Josh Groban, Perry Farrell of Jane’s Addiction, and Jonathan Davis, the lead singer of Korn, where they reimagined Korn’s hit “Freak on a Leash” with a full orchestra.