Congratulations are in order for supercritic Roger Ebert, who yesterday received the 2,288th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Pulitzer-Prize winning writer has helped countless filmmakers reach cinematic stardom with the aid of his "Two Thumbs Up" approval, made famous over the last 30 years on his television show "Siskel and Ebert" and then, following the loss of partner Gene Siskel, on "Ebert & Roeper." In attendance to celebrate the ceremony were fans and stars alike, as director Werner Herzog joined thesps Virginia Madsen and Joe Mantegna in toasting the first-ever critic to receive a Walk of Fame Star.
He may be gone, but film legend Marlon Brando is not forgotten — and for the right price, you can own his driver’s license, fake bloody finger, or even his garden furniture. Auction house du jour Christie’s will be selling over 300 lots of the "Godfather‘s" personal belongings, ranging from the banal (old credit cards) to the unique (36 pages of notes on the "Mutiny on the Bounty" script, penned by the star himself). What else is up for sale? Photos, clothing, memorabilia, a telegram addressed to Marilyn Monroe, notes from Martin Luther King, Jr., Barbra Streisand, and "Godfather" author Mario Puzo, a medical allergy tag, and boxes of magic tricks.
And finally, while she’s not officially a musician, Gwyneth Paltrow will be hard at work at the upcoming celeb-filled charity concert, Live 8 — serving tea backstage. Since her husband, Coldplay crooner Chris Martin, will be performing at the London show next month, Paltrow, whose stage-to-screen adaptation "Proof" comes out this fall, will make like Blur frontman Damon Albarn at last year’s Band-Aid and become a "tea girl."