The Hollywood Exclusive - Column by Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith

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The Hollywood Exclusive: Ask Stacy

Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith

DEAR STACY: Actress Reshma Shetty of USA's "Royal Pains" is breathtakingly beautiful. Where is she from, and what's her background? -- Jeffrey H., Bronx, N.Y.

DEAR JEFFREY: Born to East Indian parents in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, England, the 31-year-old actress moved to Richmond, Va., while in high school. She started college as a pre-med student, but switched majors after finding success in vocal competitions -- she sings coloratura opera -- and went on to graduate from the Cincinnati College of Music. She was the female lead in the touring company of "Bombay Dreams" and also acted off-Broadway in "Rafta Rafta." A rising star on the celebrity scene as well as on TV, she recently hosted a charity gala for City Harvest at La Pomme.

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DEAR STACY: Why did the Cheetah Girls split up? They were such an appealing and successful group, and my daughters loved them. -- Cathy C., Chattanooga, Tenn.

DEAR CATHY: Adrienne Bailon, 25, Sabrina Bryan, 25, and Kiely Williams, 23, went separate ways after finishing off their One World tour last December. They'd really grown out of their teen roles, and their last Disney Channel Original Movie, "The Cheetah Girls: One World," had drawn the lowest audience numbers of their movies. As Bailon told Just Jared, they felt they'd had a good run and it was time to move on.

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DEAR STACY: Can you tell me something about the main actor in those ubiquitous Verizon phone commercials? -- Faith G., Cedar Rapids, Iowa

DEAR FAITH: You're talking about 39-year-old North Haven, Conn., native Paul Marcarelli, who's been seen as Verizon Wireless' "test man" since 2002. He's a founding member of New York's Mobius Group Productions, and a voice actor/announcer you may have heard on Comedy Central, United Airlines or Aetna Insurance ads. He wrote an indie feature titled "Sweet Flame," with Mira Sorvino, Meagan Good, Jeremy Sisto, Loren Dean and Anne Meara that's awaiting release. His other commercials include spots for Old Navy, Heineken and Merrill Lynch. Marcarelli's twin brother, Matthew, is a New Haven firefighter.

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DEAR STACY: What has become of Lucille Ball's children, Lucie and Desi Jr., who at one time had achieved their own celebrity status? -- Sally S., Woodhaven, N.Y.

DEAR SALLY: Lucie, who had a run on Broadway in "Dirty Rotten Scoundrels" in '06, continues to keep up a full schedule of performing and directing gigs, with upcoming dates in California, Florida and New York. In January, she'll produce, direct, host and perform at the opening of the 2010 Lyrics and Lyricists season at the 92nd Street Y, featuring the music of her father, Desi Arnaz Sr. She and husband Laurence Luckenbill have two sons and a daughter, in addition to Luckenbill's two sons from a prior marriage. Desi Jr. and his wife (since 1987), Amy, own and operate the Boulder Theatre in Boulder City, Nev., where she oversees a ballet company and where upcoming shows include a tribute to Mel Torme by his son -- and Desi's pal -- Steve March Torme. His most recent foray into performing was touring and recording (two live CDs) with the band Ricci, Desi & Billy -- a reconfiguration of the popular Dino, Desi & Billy of decades ago, with Dean Martin's youngest son, Ricci, subbing for his late brother Dino. Desi Jr. has two daughters and a granddaughter, Desiree.

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DEAR STACY: Is Ron Belisario, the Dodgers pitcher, any relation to Don Belisario the TV producer? -- Hal B., Huntington Beach, Calif.

DEAR HAL: No, producer Pennsylvania-born Don Bellisario (two l's) of "Magnum, P.I.," "JAG" and many other shows' fame, is not related to Maracay, Venezuela-born Ronald (one l) Belisario.

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DEAR STACY: What's next for Raven-Symone? My kids are huge fans. -- Tes from Brooklyn

DEAR TES: The 23-year-old actress-singer of "That's So Raven" fame has announced that she's heading into the studio this fall to record her first album since parting ways with Disney's Hollywood Records last year. The R&B album will be her most mature yet, she says, and she expects to collaborate with some artists she hasn't worked with before.

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DEAR STACY: I watched an old Robby Benson movie on video called "Ice Castles," which introduced a young lady named Lynn-Holly Johnson. Whatever happened to her? Did she make any more movies? -- Ken T., Forked River, N.J.

DEAR KEN: The figure skater-actress, who now goes by Lynn-Holly Givens, took time off performing to focus on her family. She's married to Newport Beach, Calif., architect Kelly Givens, and they have two children. She did add a string of other credits to her resume before leaving the biz. Those include the big screen "The Watcher in the Woods," "Where the Boys Are '84" and "Alien Predator," and TV appearances on such shows as "CHiPs" and "MacGyver." Now 50, she resumed acting in 2007 in a community theater production of "It's a Wonderful Life."

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To find out more about Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith and read their past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

Copyright 2009 Creators Syndicate Inc.

This news arrived on: 10/17/2009

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