Originally published Sunday, June 29, 2008 at 12:00 AM
Odds and Ends
"Mini-me" actor Verne Troyer has sex tape pulled, for now
Celebrity gossip, famous birthdays and other tidbits, compiled from Seattle Times news services.
People
Troyer sex tape pulled
Actor Verne Troyer, best known for his portrayal of Mini-Me in the "Austin Powers" films, successfully shut down, for now, the distribution of a sex tape featuring him and a former girlfriend. The celebrity Web site TMZ posted a 25-second snippet of the video Wednesday, but pulled the clips Friday night after a federal judge granted a temporary restraining order requested by Troyer's attorneys. The ruling also prevents any attempt by a porn distributor from taking orders for the full 50-minute video. Troyer has filed a lawsuit seeking $20 million in damages and the return of all copies of the tape. Troyer claims the sex tape he made with a former girlfriend was stolen from his home a few months ago. The judge's temporary order expires July 7.
Wedding bells
Evert and Norman wed
Chris Evert and Greg Norman, both 53, got married Saturday in the Bahamas, People.com reported. The tennis and golf legends exchanged vows in front of 140 relatives and friends, including Matt Lauer and Bill Clinton.
Studdard says, "I do"
Ruben Studdard, 29, former "American Idol" champ, married girlfriend Surata Zuri McCants, 30, on Saturday in Mountain Brook, Ala. The Birmingham native has released three albums since his 2003 win, including the platinum CD "Soulful."
Kattan ties the knot
People.com reported that former "Saturday Night Live" cast member Chris Kattan, 37, married model Sunshine Tutt, 31, on Saturday in Yosemite Valley, Calif.
Worth a try
Elizabeths go for record
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The world's most famous Elizabeth didn't show, but about 400 others did arrive Saturday in Elizabeth, in northern Illinois, as the town tried to set a world record for the largest Gathering of Elizabeths. Women with Elizabeth in any part of their name qualified. Women from more than 20 states showed up. Those participating had to show a copy of a birth certificate or driver's license. "We did invite Queen Elizabeth II, but she politely declined," said Susan Gordy, who helped organize the event. Elizabeth Taylor was also invited but did not reply, said Gordy, who added that she would submit an application to Guinness World Records.
Sold!
$2.1M buys lunch
Zhao Danyang, a Chinese investment-fund manager, won the chance to have lunch with billionaire Warren Buffett by bidding $2.1 million in the most expensive charity auction ever held on eBay. Zhao, of the Hong Kong-based Pureheart China Growth Investment Fund, won the auction, which ended Friday night with a bid of $2,110,100. The money will go to the Glide Foundation. Zhao and up to seven friends will dine with Buffett at the Smith & Wollensky steakhouse in New York City whenever the two men can schedule it. Last year's winners collected their prize only on Wednesday.
Upbeat
Walking tall
Neil Sauter, 24, completed an 830-mile trek on aluminum stilts across Michigan's Upper and Lower Peninsulas to make people aware of cerebral palsy, according to United Cerebral Palsy of Michigan. The group said Sauter ended his eight-week journey Friday in Ironwood, on the Upper Peninsula border with Wisconsin. He raised a total of $64,000 for the group, thanks to a matching federal grant.
Today in History
1767: The British Parliament approved the Townshend Acts, which imposed import duties on certain goods shipped to America. (Colonists bitterly protested, prompting Parliament in 1770 to repeal the duties on all goods — except tea.)
1966: The United States bombed fuel-storage facilities near the North Vietnamese cities of Hanoi and Haiphong.
1972: The Supreme Court, in Furman v. Georgia, ruled the death penalty, as it was being meted out, could constitute "cruel and unusual punishment."
Today's Birthdays
Actor Gary Busey, 64. Comedian Richard Lewis, 61. Rock singer Colin Hay, 55. Actress Maria Conchita Alonso, 51. Actress Sharon Lawrence, 47. Actress Amanda Donohoe, 46. Actress Kathleen Wilhoite, 44. Rap DJ Shadow, 36. Singer Nicole Scherzinger, 30.
Seattle Times news services
Copyright © 2008 The Seattle Times Company
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shopping

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