Names and faces

— Ben Affleck is managing to live a relatively private life in a Hollywood fishbowl. He’s no longer tailed daily by the paparazzi, as he was when he dated Jennifer Lopez from 2002-04. It was a time when entertainment coverage was starting to explode and the couple were on the cover of every magazine and tabloid, and the top story on TV entertainment shows. “I definitely was in a tabloid cross hair,” he said in a recent interview.“It mucks up your life.” He described the constant attention as “sort of snarky and venal and kind of overwhelming.” The paparazzi weren’t going to change their ways, so Affleck changed his life. He married Jennifer Garner, had three kids and cut down his “compulsive” work schedule. But not entirely: Affleck was in Washington last week to raise awareness for something else he holds dear - his Eastern Congo Initiative to reduce the child mortality rate in the region. Now, the paparazzi only occasionally take photos of Affleck and Garner when they’re out with Violet, 6, Seraphina, 3, and Sam, 4 months. “I feel like I have a chance to do the most exciting stuff that I’ve done in my career,” he said. “I’m the luckiest guy in the world.”

Jennifer Hudson, Helen Mirren, James Franco and the Backstreet Boys are among the famous folks getting stars on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame in 2013. Actress Marg Helgenberger and the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce announced the 24 new inductees Friday at a news conference on Hollywood Boulevard’s star-lined sidewalk. A committee selects celebrities eligible for a star and those who accept pay $30,000in costs and fees. Other entertainers scheduled for a star next year are Javier Bardem, Viola Davis, Simon Baker, Bryan Cranston, Jane Lynch, Katey Sagal, Matthew Perry, Ellen DeGeneres and Olympia Dukakis; performers Penn & Teller; makeup artist Rick Baker; filmmaker Ron Howard; radio personalities Steve Harvey and “Shotgun” Tom Kelly; and musicians Jane’s Addiction, New Kids on the Block, Janis Joplin, Usher, Thalia and Luther Vandross.

Front Section, Pages 2 on 06/24/2012

Upcoming Events