Breaking Bad, Modern Grab Emmy Top Honors: More Surprises in this Year's Emmys

What could be more surprising in this year's Emmy Awards is the fact that it's so full of surprises! Best actor heavy weight contender Bryan Cranston lost the game, Downtown Abbey went home empty handed, the usual shoo-ins Claire Danes, Julia Louis-Dreyfus and "Modern Family", well, unsurprisingly won, and Breaking Bad finally took the top honors. After all has been said and done, Congratulations to this year's winners!

Breaking Bad, Best Drama Series

Best Drama Series
"Breaking Bad"

Best Drama Actor
Jeff Daniels, "Newsroom"

Best Drama Actress
Claire Danes, "Homeland"

Best Supporting Actor in a Drama
Bobby Cannavale, "Boardwalk Empire"

Best Supporting Actress in a Drama
Anna Gunn, "Breaking Bad"

Modern Family, Best Comedy Series

Best Comedy Series
"Modern Family"

Best Comedy Actor
Jim Parsons, "The Big Bang Theory"

Best Comedy Actress
Julia Louis-Dreyfus, "Veep"

Best Supporting Actor in a Comedy
Tony Hale, "Veep"

Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy
Merritt Wever, "Nurse Jackie"

Behind the Candelabra, Best Miniseries or
Made-for-TV Movie

Best Miniseries or Made-for-TV Movie
"Behind the Candelabra"

Best Actor in a miniseries or movie
Michael Douglas, "Behind the Candelabra"

Best Actress in a Miniseries or Movie
Laura Linney, "The Big C: Hereafter"

Read more »

Dwayne Johnson parlays wrestling stardom to box-office success

Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson

Dwayne Johnson has already achieved fame and fortune even before he tried his hands in acting. As The Rock, Johnson was an iconic wrestler, one of the best in the world. And as Dwayne Johnson, the actor, he is highly regarded as a potent box-office star, with hit after hit under his best.

Dwayne Douglas Johnson was born on born May 2, 1972 in Hayward, California, to a family of wrestlers and wrestling enthusiasts. His father, Rocky Johnson, was the professional wrestler Rocky Johnson. His maternal grandfather, "High Chief" Peter Maivia, was also a wrestler. His maternal grandmother, Lia Maivia, was a pioneer female professional promoter who eventually took over her husband’s Polynesian Pacific Pro Wrestling after the latter’s death in 1982, until 1988.

Johnson also excelled in football. In fact, he won a scholarship by joining the University of Miami's team. He later played for the Calgary Stampeders in the Canadian Football League, although he was cut two months into the 1995 season.

Read more »

Screen legend Deanna Durbin dies

Deanna Durbin

Deanna Durbin, the screen legend, who wowed Depression- and World War II-era movie goers with her “sweet, soprano voice,” has passed away. She was 91 years old and has been away from the limelight for almost 65 years now.

The exact date of Ms. Durbin’s death is actually unknown. She died a few days ago and it was not until Deanna Durbin Society quoted Durbin’s son, Peter H. David of the actress’ passing. David thanked her mother’s fans for supporting him and respecting his family’s privacy.

Born Edna Mae Durbin on December 4, 1921, Deanna was one of the last surviving actresses of Hollywood’s golden era. She was born to British-born parents in Manitoba Canada and started acting in 1936 after MGM signed her up for the short subject Every Sunday, opposite Judy Garland. When her contract option expired, Universal hurriedly grabbed the talent and cast her in the feature-length film Three Smart Girls (1936). The film was a smash hit and Durbin was single-handedly credited for saving Universal from bankruptcy. The film was followed by a sequel, Hers to Hold, in 1943.

Read more »