‘Ray’ wins four NAACP Image Awards

Los Angeles — The biopic “Ray,” about the life of legendary singer Ray Charles, won four NAACP Image Awards, including an outstanding-actor trophy that added to its star Jamie Foxx’s armful of honors.

“Ray” was nominated for a leading seven awards, including outstanding motion picture and outstanding actor in a motion picture for Foxx, who received the best-actor Oscar at last month’s Academy Awards.

Foxx exchanged long embraces Saturday night with presenters Sidney Poitier and Diahann Carroll as he accepted his NAACP trophy.

The 36th annual Image Awards, which honor films, television, literature and music by and about people of color, were handed out at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion. The ceremony, hosted by actor Chris Tucker, is scheduled to air Friday on Fox.

It was the second year in a row that Ray Charles loomed large at the Image Awards. He was inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame in 2004, three months before his death at 73.

Singer-songwriter Alicia Keys also was a multiple winner, taking home a pair of trophies for outstanding song and music video for “If I Ain’t Got You.”

Winners were chosen by members of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization. Other honors for “Ray” included: Kerry Washington, outstanding actress in a motion picture, and Regina King, outstanding supporting actress in a motion picture.

In her acceptance speech, Washington said the country needs the NAACP’s activism more than ever.

Speaking at a ceremony that, unlike most other awards shows, eagerly blends politics and entertainment, she warned that the rights of people of color, women and the poor are “in danger of being stripped” away.

Academy Award winner Morgan Freeman won the Image Award for supporting actor in his role in the film “Million Dollar Baby.”

Kanye West was named outstanding new artist for his album, “College Dropout,” while Grammy-winner Usher was honored as outstanding male artist. “American Idol” winner Fantasia was named outstanding female artist.

In the new category of outstanding independent or foreign film, the award went to Bishop T.D. Jakes’ drama about abuse, “Woman Thou Art Loosed.” Jakes’ novel, from which the movie was adapted, also was named best literary work, fiction.

U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., received the Chairman’s Award, while the Vanguard Award went to pop star Prince. Talk show host and entrepreneur Oprah Winfrey also was inducted into the NAACP Hall of Fame.

TV host in rehab

Los Angeles — Television host Pat O’Brien, anchor of “The Insider” news magazine show, has entered an alcohol rehabilitation program, he said in a written statement Sunday to The Associated Press.

“I have had a problem with alcohol. I have decided to take action by checking myself into an intensive recovery program,” the 57-year-old broadcast journalist said.

The show’s New York host, Lara Spencer, will take over during O’Brien’s absence.

Green slime alert

Los Angeles — With top stars including Frankie Muniz, Lil Romeo and Hilary Duff lined up to present this year’s Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards, there could be a serious shortage of green slime at the April 2 show.

It has become a tradition that one or more celebrities are surprised during the program by being doused with green slime, the trademark booby-prize of Nickelodeon’s audience-participation shows. Last year, the Olsen twins got the honor.

Other Hollywood A-listers who have signed up as program presenters include Chris Rock, Halle Berry, Cameron Diaz, Justin Timberlake, Jada Pinkett-Smith, Jimmy Fallon, Will Ferrell and Amber Tamblyn.

“I think I’m going to be bringing a change of clothes,” said the show’s host, Ben Stiller.

From soldier to teacher

Morgantown, W.Va. — Former POW Jessica Lynch plans to pursue her dream of becoming a kindergarten teacher.

The 21-year-old Army supply clerk, whose wounding and rescue made her one of the Iraq war’s most famous soldiers, said Friday that she plans to start online courses at West Virginia University this fall.

Former Gov. Bob Wise had promised Lynch the state would finance her education at any West Virginia public college or university.

Lynch now makes several speeches a month about her experience as a POW.