People

Minnelli’s stepmother accuses actress of elder abuse, files suit

Los Angeles  Liza Minnelli’s 94-year-old stepmother has sued her for elder abuse and breach of contract, claiming the performer has neglected her.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday in Superior Court claims that Lee Anderson Minnelli was guaranteed housing in the will of her late husband, Vincente Minnelli. Liza Minnelli, his daughter with Judy Garland, sold the Beverly Hills home and “has instructed her representatives to remove Lee by whatever means necessary,” according to the lawsuit.

Representatives for the singer could not be reached for comment early Wednesday.

The lawsuit also claims that Liza Minnelli failed to comply with an agreement to keep the home in habitable condition. The electricity was shut off March 27 and the gardener and pool man also have been fired, the lawsuit alleges.

“While defendant is honeymooning all over the world, having fed 850 of her closest friends a 12-foot cake, plaintiff is alone in a cold, dark house,” the lawsuit states. Liza Minnelli married producer David Gest last month in New York.

Mother of car-crash victim sues Manson for wrongful death

Los Angeles  The mother of a woman who died in a car crash last year has sued Marilyn Manson for wrongful death, alleging that the musician gave the woman drugs before the accident.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Superior Court, claims that Manson was negligent in “instructing the woman to operate a motor vehicle in her incapacitated condition.” Maria St. John is seeking unspecified damages and attorney fees.

Manson’s representatives could not be reached for comment early Wednesday.

The lawsuit alleges that St. John’s daughter, 28-year-old Jennifer Syme, was with the singer, whose real name is Brian Warner, and other unnamed defendants last April. Manson allegedly gave Syme drugs before she was dropped off at her home. She got into her car, with the intent of returning to Manson’s home, according to the lawsuit.

Syme, an actress and former girlfriend of actor Keanu Reeves, later crashed into at least three parked cars and was thrown from her car. She died at the scene.

Something to laugh about

Los Angeles  “Laugh-In” hosts Dick Martin and the late Dan Rowan have received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for their irreverent 1960s variety show, famous for its non sequiturs and psychedelic shtick.

Martin accepted the honor Tuesday at the Hollywood Boulevard ceremony; Rowan died in 1987 at age 65.

A precursor to “Saturday Night Live,” “Rowan & Martin’s Laugh-In” made stars out of Lily Tomlin, Goldie Hawn and Henry Gibson and introduced such catch phrases as “Sock it to me!” and “You bet your sweet bippy.”

The show aired on NBC from 1968-73.