Sitcom star joins ‘Spider-Man 3’ cast

New York – Topher Grace, who starred in “That ’70s Show,” has joined the cast of “Spider-Man 3.”

Although his character wasn’t revealed, director Sam Raimi said Grace “will be perfect for the complexities of the role we are developing.”

The 26-year-old actor will join franchise stars Tobey Maguire, Kirsten Dunst and James Franco. “Sideways” star Thomas Haden Church also has been announced as a cast member in the film, which is set for release in May 2007.

UCLA to honor Hopkins

Los Angeles – Don’t forget the Chianti.

Anthony Hopkins, who won an Oscar for his role in “The Silence of the Lambs,” will receive the UCLA Medal – the highest honor at the University of California, Los Angeles – during the School of Theater, Film and Television commencement on June 17, the university said Wednesday.

Hopkins, who has been teaching a series of seminars for acting and directing students at UCLA, has appeared in nearly 100 films. His screen credits also include “The Remains of the Day,” “Nixon” and “Amistad.”

UCLA Chancellor Albert Carnesale will present Hopkins with the medal.

The school’s commencement will honor some 250 students in the department of theater and the department of film, television and digital media.

Romano ready to move beyond network comedy

New York – Everybody loved Raymond – but don’t look for Ray Romano to star in another network sitcom.

“You know, I think I’ve done that,” Romano said in an interview with Fox News Channel’s Alan Colmes that aired Wednesday and Thursday. “As far as network sitcoms go, that’s my legacy. So I don’t want to touch that.”

Instead, the star of “Everybody Loves Raymond” said he plans to get back to standup comedy and possibly do an HBO show in the future.

“Something like on HBO, it seems intriguing,” he said. “I want to curse. Nine years. It’s been nine years since I’ve cursed on camera.”

Prosecution: Jackson defense may rest early next week

Santa Maria, Calif. – The defense in Michael Jackson’s child molestation trial may rest early next week, a prosecutor told the court Friday. That would end the defense case in less than half the time the pop star’s attorneys had initially said they would need.

“We’re approaching the end of trial,” prosecutor Ron Zonen told Judge Rodney S. Melville. “The defense has indicated they may be resting as early as next Tuesday.”

Defense attorneys did not contradict the statement but did not comment on it.

Zonen revealed the schedule change in the course of requesting that the defense rapidly turn over materials related to the testimony of Jackson’s former attorney Mark Geragos.

The defense had said at the outset that they would need about six weeks or possibly up to eight weeks to present their case, which began May 5.

Jackson’s attorneys presented a rapid succession of witnesses who supported Jackson’s claim that he did not molest a 13-year-old boy and that there was no a conspiracy to hold the boy’s family captive.

Birthdays

Comedian/radio talk show host Al Franken is 54. R&B singer Ron Isley (The Isley Brothers) is 64. Actor Mr. T is 53. Actor Judge Reinhold is 48. Actress Ashlie Brillault is 18. Actress Sarah Ramos is 14.