4:20 Sunday, March 16, 2008
2:23 Sunday, March 16, 2008
1:32 Sunday, March 16, 2008
10:41 Sunday, March 16, 2008
Abe Karpen, a Hasidic Jewish actor, had already started work on "New York I Love You" when he was forced to drop out from playing Natalie Portman's husband in the film. Karpen was receiving death threats from his community leaders, and the backlash had intensified so badly that his family was forced into hiding.
Karpen is a married father of three and usually a kitchen cabinet salesman, but he couldn't resist signing up for the opportunity to star alongside Portman in the 12-story film about New York City romance. Before fleeing (yes-- fleeing!) New York, he confirmed that "I am backing out of the movie."
"It's not acceptable in my community," he said of acting. "It's a lot of pressure I am getting. They [the rabbis] didn't like the idea of a Hasidic guy playing in Hollywood. I have my kids in religious schools and the rabbi called me over yesterday and said in order for me to keep my kids in the school I have to do what they tell me and back out."
His friend Levi Okunov admitted that "The community wants to kill him."
Stock picture by Ron Asadorian
10:36 Sunday, March 16, 2008
10:08 Sunday, March 16, 2008
Lindsay Lohan has insisted that she has completely turned her life around, admitting that "I put myself in the wrong situations," and saying that she has now cut out some of the bad influences and hangers-on from her past. (Okay, hangers-on from a little more than six months ago, but anyway. . .)
Now, Lindsay has stated that she has been focusing on staying in touch with the people she met in rehab and spending time with her family, including her father. "My family has always been important to me, and they've always supported me," said Lohan. "I'm blessed to have a really wonderful family."
Could a career revival be on the way as well? She is going to start filming with Jack Black for
Ye Olde Times, she's working on a new album, and has a movie coming out soon.
Hopefully these recent photos of Lindsay arriving at the Hotel Orlando aren't any indication of her upcoming success.
Pictures by Splash