Names and faces

Saturday, June 7, 2014

• The American Film Institute's celebration of Jane Fonda was like a who's who of Hollywood women. Meryl Streep, Sally Field, Sandra Bullock, Lily Tomlin and Cameron Diaz were among the actresses saluting the 76-year-old Oscar winner, who accepted institute's 42nd Life Achievement Award on Thursday at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre. Guests at the private ceremony -- which is set to air as a special on TNT on June 14 -- included Chelsea Handler, Melanie Griffith, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Gay Harden, Rosario Dawson, activist Eve Ensler and Disney TV President Anne Sweeney. Tomlin described Fonda as "an evolutionary agent for our species." "She is a role model for the American modern woman," Tomlin said, immediately correcting herself to broaden the scope to all women. Celebrants lauded Fonda for her political activism and dedication to gender equality, which she translated to the screen in such films as 1978's Coming Home, 1979's The China Syndrome and 1980's 9 to 5. Michael Douglas presented Fonda with her award, and she said she was "so happy to add another woman's name to the list." Previous recipients of AFI's highest honor include Barbra Streisand, Morgan Freeman, Mel Brooks, Bette Davis and Fonda's father, Henry Fonda.

• A former aspiring actor and model has withdrawn his lawsuit alleging a former TV executive sexually abused him during trips to Hawaii in 1999. Attorneys for Michael Egan III filed papers Wednesday in U.S. District Court in Honolulu voluntarily dismissing the case against David Neuman. Neuman, X-Men director Bryan Singer, producer Gary Goddard and former television executive Garth Ancier were sued by Egan in April under a Hawaii law that suspended the statute of limitations in civil sex-abuse cases. The Associated Press does not typically identify purported victims of sex abuse but is naming Egan because he has spoken publicly about his case. He alleges Singer abused him several times during trips to Hawaii in 1999, when Egan was 17. Egan also accuses Singer of abusing him earlier in California as part of a Hollywood sex ring. The other lawsuits involve similar allegations. All the defendants deny the claims. A judge next month will consider motions to dismiss the remaining cases.

A Section on 06/07/2014