What george michael died from

Getty Beyoncé broke the all-time Grammy record this weekend, an honor previously held by a classical musician for years, who'd be very happy for Bey if he was still around today. Georg Solti -- the Hungarian-British conductor who had the most Grammys before Bey took the mantle Sunday -- would absolutely celebrate her achievement ... so says his daughter, Claudia Solti . Georg died in '97 -- the year before he won his posthumous, record-setting 31st Grammy. Getty According to Claudia ... her dad's music brought people together, and she feels Beyoncé's work does the exact same thing -- more than enough reason to get excited. She tells us her father loved all kinds of music, and that she feels like he's probably somewhere out there smiling over the new milestone that's been hit ... even though, Claudia says he probably doesn't understand all the fuss about records. CBS An organization named in Georg's honor -- Georg Solti … [Read more...] about Beyoncé’s Grammy Record Predecessor, Georg Solti, Would Be Thrilled for Her

Scott Alexander , a magician who appeared on Season 6 of America’s Got Talent , has died following a stroke, his wife Jenny revealed on Instagram. “He suffered a stroke while working on a cruise ship in St Kitts and did not make it home to us,” Jenny wrote. “We are shattered. Please hold us in your prayers.” Her caption appeared next to a photo of Scott with their children. Alexander impressed the judges in his audition for Season 6 with an illusion in which a woman seemed to appear out of nowhere, be supported by water, then levitate. He was sent to the Vegas round after judges Piers Morgan, Sharon Osbourne and Howie Mandel voted “Yes”. He was eventually eliminated in the quarterfinals following a performance of an illusion in which a gospel choir disappeared and then reappeared a distance away. After his stint on America’s Got Talent , Alexander appeared on Season 2 of Penn & Teller: Fool Us . Alexander is survived by his wife, Jenny, and their four … [Read more...] about ‘America’s Got Talent’ Magician Scott Alexander Dies Following Stroke

Getty Michael Jackson 's music may very well have a new co-owner if a mega deal is negotiated with Sony worth nearly a billion dollars, but there are strings attached ... TMZ has learned. Sources with direct knowledge tell TMZ ... the MJ estate will NEVER sell Michael's historic catalog outright. BUT, we've learned the estate would entertain a 50/50 split, but only if the estate maintains complete management and control. Our sources say the estate would consider selling a 50% interest for around $900 million, and that would cover recordings, publishing rights, etc. Gallery Launch Gallery Getty Here's what we're hearing ... there appears to be talks underway between the estate and Sony. When you think about it, Sony makes a lot of sense ... it's Mike's long-term label. This is a distinction from other huge catalog sales that have gone down -- including from guys like Bruce Springsteen , Bob Dylan , Justin Bieber and more. Those … [Read more...] about Michael Jackson Estate Would Sell 50% of Catalog For Just Under a Billion Dollars

Bono will be among the guests of First Lady Jill Biden at tonight’s State of the Union address, joining a list that includes the U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine Oksana Markarova and Paul Pelosi, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, as well as the mother and stepfather of Tyre Nichols. The White House cited Bono’s work as an activist in the fight against HIV/AIDS and extreme poverty. Bono helped build bipartisan support for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, which President George W. Bush announced at his State of the Union 20 years ago. Bono visited the White House in December along with other members of U2 as they were recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors. The guests give a glimpse of topics that President Joe Biden may highlight during the address. Also on the list: Maurice and Kandice Barron, whose daughter is a survivor of a rare form of pediatric cancer; Lynette Bonar, an enrolled member of the Navajo Nation who is an executive at … [Read more...] about Bono Will Be Among First Lady Jill Biden’s Guests At State Of The Union

A new musical featuring the music and lyrics by Alicia Keys , and apparently based on the R&B singer-songwriter’s young life, is in development at New York’s Off Broadway Public Theater . The production, titled Hell’s Kitchen after the Manhattan neighborhood where Keys was raised, has some high-profile names attached. According to an Actors’ Equity audition call sheet posted this week, Michael Greif ( Rent, Next to Normal, Dear Evan Hansen ) is attached to direct, with a book by Kristoffer Diaz (the Public’s 2019 stage adaptation of Disney’s Hercules ) and choreography by Camille A. Brown ( for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf, Choir Boy ). Though casting hasn’t been announced, most if not all of the lead roles have already been filled, including the roles of Ali, “a strong, stubborn girl with a rebellious streak” apparently based on Keys, Jersey, “Ali’s mother, raising her as a single mom,” and Davis, Ali’s father. Also … [Read more...] about Alicia Keys Stage Musical ‘Hell’s Kitchen‘ In Development At New York’s Public Theater

Turkey ’s film and TV production community is supplying financial aid and resources to the victims of the massive earthquakes that hit the country and neighbor Syria this week, as the death toll crossed the 5,000 mark. Producers association Tesiyap has released a statement saying it is collecting aid and money from the country’s producers and ensuring this is delivered to earthquake victims “as soon as possible” via Turkey’s Disaster and Emergency Management Authority (AFAD) and non-profit organization AHBAP. “The majority of our member producers shared with us that they took a break from the movie sets for a while to support their charity work,” read the statement in Turkish but that has been translated and independently verified by Deadline. Major Turkish production companies such as MF Yapim and Medyapim shared the statement on social media. Mediapim and Ay Yapim also published a separate joint statement saying the premiere of a film they co-produced, scheduled for … [Read more...] about Turkey-Syria Earthquake Disaster: Producers Begin Aid Collection Amid Humanitarian Crisis

NBC Scott Alexander , a magician best known for his time on "America's Got Talent," has died ... according to his wife. Scott's wife Jenny -- who appeared on the show as his assistant -- shared the tragic news on Monday, posting ... "We have lost a father, a husband, a son, a brother, a friend, a mentor, and one hell of an entertainer." As for what led to his death, Jenny says "Scott suffered a stroke while working on a cruise ship in St Kitts and did not make it home to us." 'AGT' fans will remember Scott and Jenny from Season 6 of the hit show. He made quite the impression on the judges with his illusions and tricks, before getting eliminated in the Quarterfinals. Waiting for your permission to load the Instagram Media. After the show, Scott also appeared on Season 2 of "Penn & Teller: Fool Us". Scott is survived by his wife and their 3 children. In Jenny's own words, "We are shattered." RIP … [Read more...] about ‘America’s Got Talent’ Magician Scott Alexander Dead

Basil Fawlty is back. A reboot of John Cleese ’s British comedy sensation Fawlty Towers is in the works and Rob Reiner ’s Castle Rock Entertainment is developing. More than 40 years after the second and final season drew to a close, Monty Python star Cleese is set to write and star alongside daughter Camilla Cleese , in news that will bring joy to a generation of British comedy fans. The new series will explore how Cleese’s over-the-top, cynical and misanthropic Basil Fawlty navigates  the modern world. Plot details are largely being kept under wraps but the development will bring the story forward to explore Basil’s relationship with a daughter he has just discovered he had, as the pair tempt fate and team up to run a boutique hotel. The Cleeses have joined with Reiner’s Castle Rock on the development, with Reiner, Michele Reiner, Derrick Rossi and Matthew George exec producing. John Cleese praised George’s “understanding of the ‘creative process'” and … [Read more...] about ‘Fawlty Towers’ Reboot In The Works With John Cleese, Camilla Cleese & Rob Reiner’s Castle Rock Entertainment

Black Bear International has further bolstered its team with the hire of Luane Gauer as SVP, International Production & Acquisitions. The former Protagonist Pictures exec will report to Black Bear International President John Friedberg and Llewellyn Radley, EVP International & UK Managing Director. In the new role, Gauer will oversee production and lead creative on upcoming Black Bear International productions, as well as source and package UK and European production and acquisitions opportunities to feed the international sales business and UK distribution group. Gauer previously served as Head of Acquisitions at Protagonist Pictures where she was responsible for building the company’s sales slate, securing titles including The Outrun with Saoirse Ronan, and Temple Hill’s Clown in a Cornfield , which launched at AFM in 2022. Prior to that, she held senior roles at Focus Features and Universal Pictures International, where she worked on films … [Read more...] about Black Bear Hires Luane Gauer As SVP International Production & Acquisitions

EXCLUSIVE : Ahead of the EFM , Michael Rothstein and Sam Hall’s Mossbank is launching international sales on action-horror film Azrael , starring Samara Weaving ( Ready Or Not ). CAA Media Finance and UTA Independent Film Group will co-rep domestic. Details about the movie have been kept under wraps to date but we can now reveal plot and a first look image. Currently in post-production, the film is set in a world in which no one speaks and follows a devout female-led community which hunts down a young woman who has escaped her imprisonment. Recaptured by its ruthless leaders, Azrael (Weaving) is due to be sacrificed to pacify an ancient evil deep within the surrounding wilderness – but she has other ideas. Pic was directed by E.L. Katz ( Haunting Of Bly Manor ) from an original script by Simon Barrett ( The Guest, You’re Next ). As we first revealed last year, Jason Cloth and Dave Caplan’s C2 Motion Picture Group ( Babylon ) won the rights to the project … [Read more...] about Mossbank, CAA & UTA Launch Action-Horror ‘Azrael’ With ‘Ready Or Not’ Star Samara Weaving & ‘You’re Next’ Scribe, First Look — EFM