Spielberg donates $1M to Israeli relief funds

Los Angeles – A foundation created by filmmaker Steven Spielberg will donate $1 million to relief efforts in Israel as it battles with Hezbollah.

The Righteous Persons Foundation will make an initial contribution of $250,000 to the Jewish Federation of Los Angeles Israel Crisis Fund. The foundation, spokesman Marvin Levy said Tuesday, will then follow up with gifts to the New Israel Fund and other organizations that are providing relief to those evacuated from northern Israel.

The Jewish Foundation will use its donation to support emergency efforts for evacuated children, install shatterproof glass in Haifa’s three hospitals and provide emergency assistance at the Naharia hospital, he said.

The New Israel Fund will use its donation to set up crisis hot lines and provide food and other emergency supplies to families in northern Israel, Levy said.

Robin Williams seeking treatment for alcoholism

Los Angeles – Robin Williams is seeking treatment for alcoholism, publicist Mara Buxbaum said Wednesday.

The 55-year-old comedian had been sober for 20 years, Buxbaum said.

Williams “found himself drinking again and has decided to take proactive measures to deal with this for his own well-being and the well-being of his family,” she said in a statement. “He looks forward to returning to work this fall to support his upcoming film releases.”

Buxbaum declined to elaborate beyond the statement.

Williams stars in “Man of the Year,” due in October, and voices an animated penguin in “Happy Feet,” slated for release in November. His new film, “The Night Listener,” is now in theaters.

He won an Oscar for his supporting role in 1997’s “Good Will Hunting.”

James Bond is 001 on best-dressed list

Los Angeles – Daniel Craig is dressed, best dressed.

Craig, the new James Bond, is the world’s best-dressed man, according to Esquire magazine’s third annual sartorial ranking.

Musician John Legend came in second. “He dresses exactly like he sounds: smooth,” Esquire notes.

Oscar nominees Terrence Howard and Jake Gyllenhaal ranked third and fourth, respectively, and brooding musician Nick Cave placed fifth.

Axl Rose, Marc Anthony and Britney Spears’ 11-month old son, Sean Preston Federline, were named the worst dressed.

The list, which encompasses sports, entertainment and politics, arrives in the September issue, on newsstands Tuesday.

Divorce a battle royale

London – The lawyers who represented Prince Charles and Princess Diana in their divorce are squaring off again in the split between Paul McCartney and Heather Mills McCartney.

Anthony Julius, who represented Diana, was retained to work for Mills McCartney, the law firm Mishcon De Reya said Tuesday. Julius reportedly secured a $32 million settlement for Diana.

The former Beatle has already retained Fiona Shackleton, who represented the prince 10 years ago.

Bruce Willis sues childhood friend

Los Angeles – Bruce Willis has sued a childhood friend, claiming he tried to extort at least $100,000 from him by threatening to release private photos of the action star.

The lawsuit claims that Bruce DiMattia was “overcome by greed” and was “jealous of his former friend’s success,” so he threatened to disclose personal information about the 51-year-old actor unless Willis bought him a car and paid him at least $100,000.

DiMattia worked for Willis – and lived rent-free in a house owned by the actor – from 2002 until 2006, the lawsuit said. He was responsible for maintaining Willis’ personal items and memorabilia and organizing photographs and videos of Willis and his family.

DiMattia’s employment ended this year, but he has refused to move out of the house and still has Willis’ private photos and other property, according to the lawsuit.

Willis is seeking at least $1 million in damages, according to the lawsuit, filed Aug. 1.