Hurley gives birth to healthy son

London Elizabeth Hurley gave birth to a baby boy Thursday, following a high-profile pregnancy in which her ex-boyfriend questioned whether he was the child’s father.

“Elizabeth Hurley is delighted to announce the birth of her son, Damian Charles,” a spokeswoman for the model-actress said.

“Both mother and baby are happy and healthy.”

Hurley, 36, has said the boy’s father was her former boyfriend, American film producer Stephen Bing. In December, Bing sued the British tabloid The Mirror, alleging he faced death threats when the paper urged readers to call him after he said he was unsure whether he’d impregnated Hurley.

Allen film to debut at Cannes

Paris Woody Allen, famous for avoiding awards shows and festivals, will appear at the Cannes Film Festival this year to present his new comedy about a has-been movie director.

“Hollywood Ending” opens the French Riviera film festival May 15, organizers said in a statement Thursday. Allen, Tea Leoni, Tiffani Thiessen and George Hamilton star in the tale about a director who gets a chance to make his first movie in years, then goes blind. The film is not competing for prizes.

About a half dozen of Allen’s films have played in Cannes, including “Manhattan” and “Hannah and Her Sisters.” But the New York-based writer-director has never made an appearance.

“The French people have been so supportive and so nice to me over the years, and I’ve been invited so many times that I wanted to give something back to them by coming particularly since I felt this film was so right for the occasion,” Allen, 66, said.

Last month, Allen made a rare appearance at the Oscars to urge Hollywood to make movies in post-Sept. 11 New York.

Songwriters laud Wonder, Brooks

New York Garth Brooks and Stevie Wonder will receive special awards from the Songwriters Hall of Fame at the induction and awards ceremony June 13.

Wonder will receive a lifetime achievement award. Brooks will be honored with the Hitmaker Award. The event will be held at the Sheraton New York Hotel & Towers.

“I am both pleased and proud to announce Garth Brooks and Stevie Wonder as the recipients of this year’s special Songwriters Hall of Fame Awards,” Hal David, chairman of The National Academy of Popular Music/Songwriters Hall of Fame, said.

“Each has contributed mightily to the creative and artistic community, having achieved unprecedented milestones. They have raised the standard of music-making to a new level.”

This year’s inductees include Barry Manilow, Michael Jackson, Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, Randy Newman and Sting.