Celebrity Extra: Fantasia Barrino
By Dana Jackson
Q: I was sorry to hear that actor David McCallum passed away. What is "NCIS" going to do with his character when it returns for the new season? -- G.N.
A: David McCallum died of natural causes at the age of 90 this past September. He had a very long career in Hollywood, having been nominated for three Primetime Emmy Awards, including twice for his role in "The Man From U.N.C.L.E." He went on to guest star in many classic shows like "Marcus Welby, M.D.," "The Invisible Man" and "Murder, She Wrote."
Twenty years ago, he landed the biggest role of his career as medical-examiner-turned-historian Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard on the CBS hit series "NCIS." The show plans to honor him on Feb. 19 in the new season's second episode. Steven D. Binder and David North, co-showrunners of "NCIS," told TVLine.com that "the team will learn of Ducky's passing and reflect on their memories of him as they grieve."
TVLine.com also speculated on the possibility of former key characters returning for Ducky's farewell, such as Mark Harmon's Gibbs, Michael Weatherly's Tony or Cote de Pablo's Ziva.
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Q: Is it true that Wayne Brady has a reality show coming out soon? Will he still host "Let's Make a Deal"? -- A.I.
A: Wayne Brady first wowed audiences with his improv skills on "Whose Line Is It Anyway?" -- a skit comedy show on ABC. He won an Emmy for Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program for that show. In addition to acting, he's also a three-time Emmy-nominated game show host for "Let's Make a Deal," the daytime job he's held for the past 15 years.
However, his love of acting hasn't fizzled. In between delivering cash and "zonks" weekdays on CBS, he's had recurring roles on the sitcom "How I Met Your Mother," the daytime soap "The Bold and the Beautiful," and Showtime's "American Gigolo."
He's still great friends with his ex-wife and business partner, Mandie Taketa, and her romantic partner of 12 years, Jason Fordham. The three co-parent their blended family of two children together. Brady sold a reality show concept to Hulu about their unconventional life together, but a title and official premiere date have yet to be announced.
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Q: Is Fantasia Barrino, the same one from “American Idol” years ago, in the new version of “The Color Purple”? I always wondered what happened to her. -- K.I.
Fantasia Barrino (“The Color Purple”). Photo Credit: Depositphotos
A: Unlike Carrie Underwood, Kelly Clarkson and Jennifer Hudson, Fantasia Barrino hasn't had as famed of a career as those other three "American Idol" contestants, but her 15 minutes has gradually increased. The wait is worth it, however, as she's finally showcasing her incredible voice in the new version of "The Color Purple," this time a musical, just like the Broadway play, which released on the big screen this past Christmas.
Barrino played the role of Celie on Broadway as well and earned rave reviews for it. She's garnering critical acclaim for the new film version as well. Perhaps, like Hudson did in 2007 for "Dreamgirls," Barrino will win an Oscar this coming awards season.
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