Director David R. Ellis — who helmed mass entertainment like Snakes on a Plane, Cellular, and The Final Destination — died today. He was 60 years old. No cause of death has been released. Ellis got his start as an actor and stuntman, transitioning into directing the second units on action-based productions like Waterworld, The Perfect Storm, The Matrix Reloaded, and Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World. His feature directing debut was the 1996 family production Homeward Bound 2: Lost in San Francisco, but he quickly transitioned to genre-soaked thrillers starting with 2003′s Final Destination 2. He reportedly passed away in Johannesburg, South Africa while prepping his next film, Kite, an adaptation of a Japanese animé that has Snakes on a Plane star Samuel L. Jackson attached as the lead.
 Larry Miller – a familiar face from his appearances on Curb Your Enthusiasm, Seinfeld, The Nutty Professor and the Tonight Show – has recovered from a life-threatening brain injury. The actor, 58, fell and hit his head last April. He had just finished a podcast with comedian Adam Carolla when he lost his footing and hit the back of his head on a sidewalk. His spokesman now reveals that Miller, a married father of two, had gone into a coma and was then put on life support at UCLA Medical Center for one month. "He was hovering between life and death," says his spokesman, Michael Hansen. "It's a miracle he woke up. .. He's lucky to be alive." After Miller regained consciousness, he began a long recovery process to re-master basic cognitive functions. "He had to work on some issues regarding brain connectivity," says Hansen. Now expected to make a full recovery, Miller is back at work on his podcast series, This Week with Larry Miller, which resumes Jan. 9.

Taylor Swift and Harry Styles Break-Up

After two months of ski-trips, island vacations, and NY hotel sleepovers, Harry Styles and Taylor Swift have called it quits. “They are both really busy and never in one place for long. Harry’s really upset about the split and is really sensitive about it,” a source close to the former couple said. It seems like it was Taylor who ended things. According to the source, it’s Harry who is nursing his wounds and not the other way around. “Loads of [Harry’s] friends told him to be careful and that it was never going to last, and he feels a little foolish now that it's fallen apart so quickly.”

 Actor Matt Dallas has some big news to share. On Sunday evening, the Kyle XY star announced on Twitter that he's engaged to musician Blue Hamilton, his first public acknowledgement that he is gay. "Starting off the year with a new fiancé, @bluehamilton. A great way to kick off 2013," Dallas, 30, wrote along with a photo of Hamilton lounging on a couch with a dog. Hamilton has also documented his relationship with Dallas through Facebook profile photos of the happy couple together.Dallas follows in the footsteps of other stars such as Matt Bomer, Jim Parsons and Zachary Quinto by casually revealing his homosexuality through his happy announcement.

Undiscovered Gyrl
Christian Slater, Justin Long, Martin Sheen, Robert Patrick and Kimberly Williams-Paisley have joined the cast of Allison Burnett's indie drama "Undiscovered Gyrl." The film is currently shooting in Los Angeles. The story centers on a teen (Britt Robertson) who decides to defer college for a year in order to find herself. Driven by a longing to fill a void left by her alcoholic father (Patrick), she enters into relationships with a young film professor (Long), the father of a baby for whom she nannies (Slater), and a rare book dealer with a dark past (Sheen).

TV NEWS

 Onetime Spin City mayor Barry Bostwick will play President Fitzgerald Grant’s father. “Big Jerry,” as he is known, is described as both funny and overbearing, and was a political player in his day as well. Bostwick will appear in Season 2, Episode 11, airing Thursday, Jan. 17.

Doctor Dani is staying in the game for another year. USA Network on Monday renewed Necessary Roughness for a 10-episode third season.


All My Children has officially been revived — and so has Dr. Angie Hubbard! Suds vet Debbi Morgan, who long portrayed the beloved Pine Valley denizen, has joined Prospect Park’s online relaunch of the cancelled soap. “Ok, I can finally announce how thrilled I am 2 B on board w/the All My Children re-boot & Prospect Park,” Morgan announced via Twitter. “Agnes Nixon, you’re my HERO!!!”


Family Guy creator and upcoming Oscars host Seth McFarlane and The Amazing Spider-Man‘s Emma Stone will announce nominations for this year’s Academy Awards on Thursday, Jan. 10. (The awards ceremony airs Sunday, Feb. 24.)


Comedy Central has renewed Workaholics for a fourth and fifth season.


Ryan Lochte, one of the most talked-about athletes from last year's London Olympics, has secured a reality show. "What Would Ryan Lochte Do?" will premiere on E! in April, the network announced.


Syfy’s buzzy new drama series Defiance — which stars Grant Bowler and Julie Benz — will launch Monday, April 15 at 9/8c. Set in a dystopian future, the drama centers on humans and aliens coexisting on a war-ravaged Earth that has been transformed by terra-forming machines.


Oxygen cable television executives aren't talking as negative attention grows about the network's proposed program featuring a musician who has fathered 11 children with 10 different mothers. The Parents Television Council on Monday asked Oxygen to shelve "All My Babies' Mamas" before it ever gets on the air, calling it "grotesquely irresponsible and exploitive."