Celebrity Extra: Maura Tierney
By Dana Jackson
Q: I just saw the movie “Twisters” and was happy to see one of my favorite actresses, Maura Tierney, again. The last thing I saw her in was “The Good Wife,” but it was only a few episodes. What else has she done? -- W.T.
A: Maura Tierney has been acting mainly on television for over three decades, but is probably best known for her roles on the sitcom "NewsRadio" and another show you might have heard of -- "ER." She went on to act in some independent films and TV shows before landing another starring role in Showtime's "The Affair" with Dominic West ("The Crown").
Maura Tierney in "Twisters" (2024). Photo Credit: Courtesy of Universal Pictures
She followed that with a short stint on another Showtimes series "Your Honor," starring Bryan Cranston ("Breaking Bad"), before landing another role on Showtime in "American Rust," opposite Jeff Daniels ("A Man in Full"). But it only lasted two seasons.
Tierney can be seen in the current summer blockbuster movie "Twisters," but she'll be returning to our television screens in a big way this fall as a detective on "Law & Order." This marks her return to NBC on Thursday nights since playing Dr. Abby Lockhart on "ER."
The original "Law & Order" returned to NBC after an 11-year hiatus in 2022. There have already been cast changes in just two seasons, with the departures of Sam Waterston, Camryn Manheim and Jeffrey Donovan. The length of Tierney's contract is unknown, but she'll bring a loyal fanbase with her regardless.
***
Q: Did Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie ever officially divorce? If not, how long has it been going on? -- E.S.
A: Even though the A-list couple split in 2016, they're still battling it out in court over their businesses. However, a judge did declare them legally single, but the business and custody issues are still being fought out in court. Pitt is suing Jolie for $67 million after she sold her shares of their French winery. Jolie also protested a judge's decision to grant Pitt 50/50 custody.
Pitt's relationship with his children might be beyond repair. Daughter Shiloh filed a petition to legally drop her father's surname when she turned 18, and two other daughters, Zahara and Vivienne, both dropped his name informally.
***
Q: Did they use any CGI for the cat in the new "A Quiet Place" prequel? It looked real, but I'd be amazed if they didn't use any special effects. -- V.T.
A: For the motion picture "A Quiet Place: Day One," director Michael Sarnoski wanted the emotional support cat Frodo to "feel like a real character." Instead of generating one with CGI special effects, the movie cast two real felines to play the role of Lupita Nyong'o's service animal. The cats' real names are Nico and Schnitzel and reportedly got along well offset (no cat fights!). They received about 12 weeks of training in various wet and dry situations before filming. Nico and Schnitzel did such a great job, but it's too bad there's not a special category at the Oscars for four-legged actors.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
(c) 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.