T.I. dishes up dinners at Thanksgiving food bank

Atlanta — In his hit “Whatever You Like,” rapper T.I. offers iced Patron tequila and stacks of money to the lady in his life.

On Thursday at Turner Field, the Atlanta native was instead offering steaming spoonfuls of corn, but the stacks were still involved — this time for an Atlanta food bank struggling during the bad economy.

T.I. volunteered at the city’s largest Thanksgiving dinner at the Atlanta Braves’ home field. The event, which turned out close to 22,000, was organized by the Hosea Feed the Hungry and Homeless.

T.I. raised nearly $100,000 within two hours on a local radio show on Wednesday.

Event co-director Elisabeth Omilami said the donations came at the right time. She said the program, dedicated to feeding the poor and homeless, had a 10 percent decrease in income because of the slumping economy.

Roger Moore salutes Craig as latest Bond

Hong Kong — From one Bond to another: job well done.

Roger Moore told reporters Thursday that Daniel Craig was “marvelous” as James Bond because he brought a fresh dimension to the character.

The 81-year-old actor, who starred in seven Bond films in the 1970s and the 1980s, said Craig’s performances in Steven Spielberg’s 2005 political thriller “Munich” and “Sylvia” in 2003, in which he plays the poet Ted Hughes, helped shape a new Bond.

“All of those parts were very, very different to one’s conception of Bond … I thought he was absolutely marvelous,” Moore said of Craig’s acting in “Casino Royale.”

Fans have criticized the casting of Craig, questioning whether a stage-trained actor with little action experience can pull off the role of Bond.

Moore, speaking at an event in Hong Kong to promote his autobiography “My Word Is My Bond,” said he had yet to see Craig’s latest turn as the British spy in “Quantum of Solace.”

Moore said he met Craig for the first time at a recent celebration for Bond creator Ian Fleming in London and found him a “charming guy.”

Willis settles dispute with Malaysia company

Los Angeles — A Malaysian technology conglomerate has repaid $900,000 to Bruce Willis after the actor filed a lawsuit demanding a refund of his investment.

Martin Singer, Willis’ lawyer, says the federal lawsuit filed in Los Angeles has been “amicably resolved.”

The Kuala Lumpur-based Petra Group said Willis invested $2 million last year in its subsidiary, Green Rubber, a developer of technology that can recycle rubber in old tires.

Petra returned $1.1 million to the star of the “Die Hard” action films earlier this year when he decided to pull out his investment. Willis sued last week to get the remaining $900,000, plus interest and other compensation.

The actor remains a shareholder in the company.

Mel Gibson ordered to appear for deposition

Los Angeles — A judge says Mel Gibson will have to answer questions about planning and filming “The Passion of the Christ” in response to a screenwriter’s lawsuit.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Gregory Alarcon on Tuesday ordered Gibson to appear for a deposition by mid-January. Gibson’s attorneys had tried to keep him from having to answer questions regarding his blockbuster film about Jesus’ last hours.

Screenwriter Benedict Fitzgerald is suing Gibson, claiming he was underpaid for his work on “Passion.”

Fitzgerald’s attorneys claimed Tuesday that his payments were eroded by Gibson’s spending habits while filming the movie in Italy, including “tens of thousands” of dollars on his children’s education and a $78,000 chiropractor bill.

Carson Daly anticipates fatherhood to first child

Los Angeles — Talk show host Carson Daly will have a full-time guest beginning next year.

Daly publicist Heather Lylis says the 35-year-old TV personality and girlfriend Siri Pinter are expecting a child.

It will be the first child for both the “Last Call with Carson Daly” host and Pinter, who has worked as an assistant on the show. Lylis didn’t provide additional details of the pregnancy, which was first reported by People magazine.

Nelly’s party to include new scholarships

St. Louis — Rapper Nelly and music producer Jermaine Dupri will be host to the third annual Black and White Ball in St. Louis, a gala that draws celebrities and will include the creation of a new scholarship program.

The party on Sunday night is expected to include singer Ashanti among the guests and a performance by the rhythm-and-blues group Boyz II Men.

A new program will be announced at the formal-attire event to provide two students from the St. Louis region with full-tuition scholarships to Lindenwood University in nearby St. Charles, Mo.