Morgan Freeman dead? Kevin Spacey gay?

Twitter kills off 'very much alive' Morgan Freeman

Dubai regular Morgan Freeman is "very much alive," his publicist confirmed after a rumor hit the internet on Thursday claiming that the actor had died.

Users on Twitter were instrumental in spreading the rumour, whihc had purportedly been posted by CNN, stated that Freeman died in his home in Burbank, California.

The news network posted a statement on Twitter denying it was the source of the misinformation, saying, "CNN did not report Morgan Freeman death. Rumor is false. CNN will aggressively investigate this hoax."

The actor's rep, Stan Rosenfield, told the network that Freeman is "very much alive."

Kevin Spacey address the gay question

Actor Kevin Spacey has hit out about comments that he is living a lie since he does not talk about his sexuality.

In a new interview with the Daily Beast, he said: "I don't live a lie. You have to understand that people who choose not to discuss their personal lives are not living a lie."

The unusually candid actor, who was given a CBE for his services to drama by Britain's Queen Elizabeth II recently, plays disgraced Republican lobbyist Jack Abramoff in his new film out Friday.

Abramoff was sentenced to prison in 2006 after pleading guilty to fraud, tax evasion, and conspiracy to bribe public officials, which also included the bilking of Native-American tribal casinos for $85 million.

Rather than be out and proud, Spacey said he looked at things differently.

"If we stop using sexuality as a weapon against people maybe everyone will eventually get cool with it," he said. "People have different reasons for the way they live their lives. You cannot put everyone's reasons in the same box. It's just a line I've never crossed and never will."

Does George Michael have the 'X-Factor'?

Now that he's out of jail and hopefully free of drugs, George Michael is reportedly set to see his career skyrocket.

Reality TV mogul Simon Cowell has offered him the chance to get his public image back on track with a role as a judge on the American version of the hit UK show 'X-Factor'.

British media quoted sources close to the star as saying: "George is going to take the job. It's an amazing opportunity to get back in the limelight and reverse his recent bad spell. Simon knows that Americans love him. He is as big in the US as he is over here in the UK.

"He is a true star and has the wit and experience for the job. It's the perfect platform to resurrect his career."

The 47-year-old star is believed to have been offered over one million pounds to judge the show, with UK panellist Cheryl Cole also expected to appear.

Rolling Stones star Sir Mick Jagger and former Oasis guitarist Noel Gallagher have also been approached by Cowell.

The source added: "Simon is determined to have a panel of amazing judges. The show has to go off with a bang especially as Aerosmith frontman Steve Tyler will be on ‘American Idol.'"

Tron equals Avatar with early screenings

Disney's "Tron: Legacy" grossed roughly $3.5 million in midnight runs, with Imax theaters providing a record percentage of the gross, according to early estimates.
Imax locations grossed roughly $1 million. That number could shift upwards once final figures are tallied, Reuters reported.

"Tron" debuted in 228 Imax theaters across the country. Several theaters in South Atlantic states that had planned to run the fanboy tentpole were shut because of snow.

The movie outpaces "Inception," which earned $3 million at late night showings earlier this year, but ties Avatar at $3.5 million.

Aretha Franklin's best Christmas gift yet

Queen of Soul Aretha Franklin is on the mend since her serious health scare and says she's been given the greatest Christmas gift already.

"God has given me the greatest gift already for the holidays," Franklin gushed of her improved health in an interview with Jetmagazine, her first since the scare. "I am so grateful."

The Grammy-winning singer, 68, added: "I feel great. The doctors say I can do whatever I feel like I am up to do. Of course, that doesn’t mean any concerts or anything like that. But I can do things around the house, and today I am just piddling around the house."

The "Respect" singer chanteuse declined to detail the reason behind her recent surgery and hospitalisation; many sources have said Franklin is suffering from pancreatic cancer.

"I am putting Aretha together first," she said. "This is Aretha time to do whatever it is that I need to do. But I will talk more later. My family and friends who brought me home are taking great care of me. I also have a private nurse who visits on a daily basis."

Franklin noted that she has received well-wishes from many famous friends, including Stevie Wonder, Oprah Winfrey, Patti LaBelle and Dionne Warwick. "They know that I am a lot more than the girl in the Pink Cadillac on the Freeway of Love who also sings about Respect,” she said of her friends.

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