Celebrity Extra: Ronald Gladden
By Dana Jackson
Q: Whatever happened to the guy who was pranked on the show “Jury Duty”? He seems like such a nice person. I hope he's doing well. -- D.D.
A: Ronald Gladden worked at Home Depot before he volunteered for jury duty that was being filmed for a documentary. (Or so it seemed.) Instead, he was surrounded by actors, including movie star James Marsden who played an egotistical version of himself.
When it was revealed that it was a prank, the good-natured Gladden took it in stride. He went on a whirlwind of a press tour after "Jury Duty" aired on Freevee. Once the wonderful craziness died down, it was announced that he struck a development deal with Amazon MGM Studios. Producer Ronald Gladden is very likely to replace Home Depot on his resume from here on out.
Ronald Gladden ("Jury Duty"). Photo Credit: Depositphotos
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Q: I loved seeing Candice Bergen on "Saturday Night Live" recently. Is there any chance she'll star in her own TV series again? I miss "Murphy Brown." -- J.W.
A: Candice Bergen recently appeared on stage at "SNL" when Emma Stone was recognized for hosting the iconic NBC sketch comedy show for the fifth time. Bergen is listed as a five-timer host herself, with her last time hosting being 1990. She was the first woman to host "SNL" back in 1975 and was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Oscar five years later for her role opposite Burt Reynolds in "Starting Over."
She's also been able to line her mantle with Emmy Awards, a total of five for her titular role on the CBS sitcom "Murphy Brown." The show was a big hit for 10 seasons on CBS during its initial run. It was brought back for a reboot in 2018, but only lasted one season due to lackluster ratings.
As for Bergen's career following "Murphy Brown," she's been keeping busy, having recently starred in "Book Club: The Next Chapter," an ensemble comedy film with Jane Fonda, Diane Keaton and Mary Steenburgen.
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Q: I read that one of the actors from the TV show "Supernatural" had a heart attack. Who was it, and did he survive? -- K.G.
A: "Supernatural," starring Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, ran from 2005-2020. Neither of the leading actors suffered a health emergency, but 59-year-old Mark Sheppard, who played Crowley on the show from 2009-2017, just had a miraculous recovery after his heart stopped. He recently posted on Instagram that he collapsed after suffering the first of six -- yes, six! -- heart attacks and was "brought back from the dead" four times.
It turns out he had a 100% blockage in the artery nicknamed the widow-maker. He went on to thank his wife, the Los Angeles Fire Department and the Providence Saint Joseph medical staff for saving his life. He didn't mention whether he has to undergo any surgery, but at the time of his post, he said that he expected to be discharged home the next day.
Hopefully, we'll be seeing a healthier Sheppard back on our screens soon. Post-"Supernatural," he was a regular on two series, "Walker: Independence" and "Doom Patrol," but both have been canceled.
Send me your questions at NewCelebrityExtra@gmail.com, or write me at KFWS, 628 Virginia Drive, Orlando, FL 32803.
(c) 2023 King Features Synd., Inc.