TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Swayze Won't Let Cancer Keep Him From Good Role

ADVERTISEMENT

The Tampa Tribune

Published: June 12, 2008

Patrick Swayze is going back to work.

The "Dirty Dancing" actor, who was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer earlier this year, will begin shooting his new A&E series "The Beast" in Chicago this summer, the cable network announced Monday.

A&E ordered 13 episodes of the one-hour drama, which stars Swayze, 55, as an unorthodox FBI agent who trains - and hazes - his new partner (portrayed by Travis Fimmel). It is scheduled to premiere early next year.

"I have searched for quite a long time to find a character that is this multilayered, unpredictable and downright entertaining, as well as a project this current and cutting-edged," Swayze said in a statement.
Councilman Apologizes For Torn Ad

Cincinnati Councilman Chris Monzel has publicly apologized to Emmy-winning actor Rip Torn for using his mug shot in a campaign ad on crime.

Monzel, who won re-election in November, said a black bar covered Torn's eyes in the TV ad. The photo, available on Internet sites, came from Torn's 2006 drunken-driving arrest in North Salem, N.Y.

Monzel said the ad was meant to depict a generic criminal and discuss his efforts to "get sexual predators off the streets." He said the ad wasn't meant to have anything to do with the 77-year-old actor.

Torn demanded an apology. On Tuesday, Monzel placed an ad in The Cincinnati Enquirer describing Torn as an award-winning actor who had served honorably in the Army. The wording was negotiated over months, Monzel said.

"That's what this is about," he said. "And I apologize for it. I want to take full responsibility."

Cusack Stars In Anti-McCain Commercials

Pop quiz: Why has John Cusack jumped into the political arena with a video saying John McCain is a clone of President Bush who would continue policies the actor says benefit war profiteers?

"I know my opinion doesn't matter more than anyone else's, and I just make films," he told The Associated Press on Wednesday. "But I do feel you have to speak out, and that's what I'm doing."

The 30-second video, which went out to members of the liberal political activist group MoveOn.org on Wednesday, will begin airing on television today. In it, Cusack offers a "pop quiz" to voters, asking them among other things: "Who supports keeping our troops in harm's way in Iraq but not the bipartisan G.I. bill of rights to support them when they return home?"

McCain and Bush both do, Cusack says, adding, "Bet you can't tell them apart."

Today's Birthdays

Actor-singer Jim Nabors is 78. Jazz musician Chick Corea is 67. Sportscaster Marv Albert is 67. Actor Timothy Busfield is 51. Singer Meredith Brooks is 50. Rapper Grandmaster Dee (Whodini) is 46. Actress Paula Marshall is 44. Singer Robyn is 29.

Source: The Associated Press

CORRECTIONS

It is the policy of The Tampa Tribune to correct all errors of fact. To report an error, call (813) 259-7600 or e-mail news@tampatrib.com.

CORRECTION: Hillsborough County is providing $17 million to help pay for the Tampa Bay History Center, and the city of Tampa is providing the land. Funding for the center was described incorrectly in a story in Wednesday's Metro section.

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT