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I'm Not Gordon Gekko, Douglas Tells Reporters

The Tampa Tribune

Published: September 25, 2008

Michael Douglas had to field questions Wednesday about the financial turmoil shaking world markets from reporters recalling his role in the 1987 film "Wall Street."

The actor sought to focus on the subject of Wednesday's news conference - urging the United States and eight other holdout nations to ratify a nuclear test ban treaty.

Douglas won an Academy Award for portraying the rapacious banker Gordon Gekko, who popularized the phrase "greed is good" in the movie.

After world leaders here condemned the "boundless greed" of world markets, Douglas was asked to compare nuclear Armageddon with the "financial Armageddon on Wall Street."

But the likening to Gekko did not end there, with a reporter asking: "Are you saying, Gordon, that greed is not good?"

"I'm not saying that," Douglas replied. "And my name is not Gordon. He's a character I played 20 years ago."

Lohan's Publicist Slams Closet Door

The world went mad with gossip-juice overload Tuesday, when news came that Lindsay Lohan confirmed that she and her female BFF, DJ Samantha Ronson, are lovers. Lohan's publicist, Leslie Sloane-Zelnik, wasn't mad with glee, however. She was mad, as in angry: She told TVGuide.com that Lohan's statements on Drew Pinsky's radio show, "Loveline," did not constitute a "confession" about her sexuality.

See, LiLo was asked by show co-host Ted Stryker how long she and SamRo were "going out." Her reply? "A very long time."

But Sloane-Zelnik says her client was merely affirming her close "friendship" with the DJ.

New Dad Aiken Opens Closet Door

Ending years of speculation and idol chatter (get it?), Clay Aiken, 29, has come out of the closet, telling People that once his son, Parker, was born Aug. 8, he felt obligated to disclose his homosexuality: "I cannot raise a child to lie or to hide things. I wasn't raised that way, and I'm not going to raise a child to do that," he said.

The born-again Christian warbler, who conceived Parker via in vitro fertilization with his BFF and record producer, Jaymes Foster, said he came out to his mom, Faye, four years ago.

"She started crying. She was obviously somewhat stunned. But she was very supportive," Aiken said.

Meanwhile, celeb news magazine Extra! says "American Idol" judge Simon Cowell resorted to sarcasm when asked to comment on Aiken's announcement.

"Wow. That's a shock," said Cowell. "It's like being told Santa Claus isn't real. Unbelievable."

Today's Birthdays

Journalist Barbara Walters is 79. Actor-producer Michael Douglas is 64. Model Cheryl Tiegs is 61. Actor Mark Hamill is 57. Actor Michael Madsen is 50. Actress Heather Locklear is 47. Former basketball player Scottie Pippen is 43. Actor Will Smith is 40. Actress Catherine Zeta-Jones is 39. Actress Bridgette Wilson-Sampras is 35. Rapper T.I. is 28.