Ray Charles’ advocacy honored

Universal City, Calif. Music legend Ray Charles was honored at the 20th annual Media Access Awards for raising awareness about disability issues in the entertainment industry.

The American Federation of Television and Radio Artists presented Charles, 72, with the Disability Awareness Award at a Universal Studios ceremony on Saturday.

Charles, who lost his sight at age 7, has won 13 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. He was inducted into the Blues Hall of Fame in 1982 and was one of the original inductees to the Rock and Rock Hall of Fame in 1986.

Classic songs include “I Got a Woman,” “What’d I Say” and “Georgia On My Mind.”

People with disabilities make up 20 percent of the U.S. population, but less than 2 percent of TV and film characters have disabilities, according to the California Employment Development Department.

Stern plans to make movies

Los Angeles Syndicated radio host Howard Stern has written books, starred in an autobiographical film and produced a TV series.

Now, he’s ready for a new challenge: Making movies.

The aim? “To bring more stupidity and childishness to a whole new generation,” he told radio listeners on Friday. “And that thrills me!”

Stern said his first project as a movie producer will be a remake of the 1981 teen comedy “Porky’s.” Also in the works is a remake of the 1979 teen musical “Rock ‘n’ Roll High School.”

Stern plans to serve as executive producer at newly formed Arclight Films with former Dimension Films executive Dan Gross.

Monroe memorabilia auctioned

Sparks, Nev. A silver oyster plate used by Marilyn Monroe during filming of “The Misfits” sold at auction for $1,000.

Robert W. Otto, president and CEO of a Chicago human resources consulting company, made the highest bid for the plate from the former Mapes Hotel in Reno, where Monroe stayed in 1960 during shooting.

Filmed almost exclusively in the Reno area from July to November 1960, “The Misfits” was the only movie Monroe and Clark Gable appeared in together and the last complete film for both.

‘Spider-Man’ spins video record

Los Angeles “Spider-Man” has extended its superpowers to video stores.

The year’s top-grossing movie, which shattered box office records last spring with a $114.8 million opening weekend, set another record Friday with 7 million DVD and videotape copies sold in its first day of video release, distributor Sony said Sunday.

The previous record was 5 million copies of “Monsters, Inc.,” sold on its first day in September.

At theaters, “Spider-Man” took in $405.7 million domestically, for the first time bumping a “Star Wars” film out of the top box office spot for the year.

“Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones,” which grossed $303.6 million, hits video Nov. 12.