Robert F. Chew, best known for his role on the hit HBO show The Wire, has died from heart failure. He was 52. Chew, who played Proposition Joe on the cable show, passed away in his sleep on Thursday at his home in Baltimore, his sister Clarise Chew said. The show's creator, David Simon, sent a lengthy email to The Baltimore Sun praising Chew's work as an actor and his dedication to his community. "Robert was not only an exceptional actor, he was an essential part of the film and theater community in Baltimore," wrote David Simon. "He could have gone to New York or Los Angeles and commanded a lot more work, but he loved the city as his home and chose to remain here working." Chew, a member of the local Arena Players theater troupe, mentored children and aspiring actors, and even facilitated bringing a group of 22 young actors to play students on The Wire's fourth season.

Barbara Walters Hospitalized After Fall
Veteran ABC newswoman Barbara Walters has fallen at an inauguration party in Washington and has been hospitalized. ABC News spokesman Jeffrey Schneider says the 83-year-old Walters fell Saturday night on a step at the residence of Britain’s ambassador to the United States, Peter Westmacott. The fall left Walters with a cut on her forehead. Schneider said Sunday “out of an abundance of caution” Walters went to a hospital for treatment of the cut and for a full examination. He says Walters is alert “and telling everyone what to do,” which is “a very positive sign.” It’s unclear when Walters might be released from the hospital, which ABC hasn’t identified. Walters was TV news’ first female superstar, making headlines in 1976 as a network anchor with an unprecedented $1 million annual salary.

Manti Te'o to talk to Katie Couric

Manti Te’o, the Notre Dame football player who discovered that the girlfriend whose death he mourned never actually existed, will sit down with Katie Couric for an interview airing Thursday, Jan. 24, on her syndicated daytime talk show Katie. His parents, Brian and Ottilia Te’o, will also be interviewed about the hoax, which has captured headlines and raised questions as to whether the linebacker, a runner-up for the Heisman Trophy, was even in on the story himself.

Alleged mastermind may tell his story

The person cast as the mastermind of the hoax involving Notre Dame's Manti Te'o may tell his side of the story, a family member said. Peter Navy Tuiasosopo, uncle of Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, says the family plans to hold a meeting this week to determine when and how his nephew would talk about the bizarre prank. ''We want to do it right,'' he said, also noting that the family has hired an attorney. He never directly mentioned the hoax or his nephew being involved. Te'o insisted he had no role in the hoax involving his ''dead'' girlfriend and told ESPN on Friday night that he was duped by a person who has since apologized to him. In an off-camera interview, Te'o identified that person as Ronaiah Tuiasosopo, a 22-year-old acquaintance who lives in California. He said the young man contacted him soon after Deadpsin.com broke the news on Wednesday. The Deadspin story indicated Ronaiah Tuiasosopo was involved, and suggested Te'o was, too. ''We're just a family of faith. The family is holding up well,'' Peter Navy Tuiasosopo said. ''They're holding up the way I would expect a family to. This is a storm.'' He made the comments after attending a two-hour service at the Oasis Christian Church, where his brother, who is Ronaiah's father, is pastor.
 At the end of her bronze-medal finish at the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Games, nine-time U.S. national figure skating champion and five-time world champion Michelle Kwan skated to "Fields of Gold" as her Olympic swan song. On Saturday, Jan. 19, signaling a new beginning, she incorporated that same melody into her wedding program. Kwan, 32, married Clay Pell, 31, director for strategic planning on the National Security staff at the White House, on Saturday at the First Unitarian Church of Providence, R.I. Pell, a JAG and Lieutenant in the U.S. Coast Guard, was dressed in full uniform for the ceremony. Kwan, who cried while walking down the aisle with her father, Danny Kwan, wore an ivoryVera Wang gown. Before 240 family and friends, including Olympic champions Brian Boitano, Dick Button and Dorothy Hamill, the two shared their self-written vows. Kwan, is now a senior advisor for public diplomacy and public affairs.

Allen Iverson to Pay $3 Million for Divorce

Former NBA star Allen Iverson finally struck a deal in his bitter divorce battle with his estranged wife and all it took was a cool $3 MILLION to bury the hatchet. Iverson and Tawanna -- who married in 2001 -- informed a judge last week they had reached a financial settlement outside of court in their ongoing divorce case days before the two were set to go to trial. As part of the deal, the NBA legend agreed to pay Tawanna $3 million, paid out as a large lump sum. Iverson also agreed to fork over various assets and a percentage of his future Reebok endorsement deal checks. He'll also continue to pay up child support payments for the duo's five kids. Iverson, scored the couple's GA mansion (which is currently facing foreclosure) and gets to keep his primo ride, a Maybach, as well as other personal belongings.  The settlement comes after a brutal year-long fight between the former lovers ... which included allegations of infidelity, hiding money, and petitions for restraining orders.

 Tom Arnold and his wife, Ashley Groussman, are expecting their first child – a baby boy! The 53-year-old actor shared the happy news while co-hosting “The View” on Friday, adding that he’s overwhelmed with joy over finally becoming a father. “We’re really happy. I didn’t think it was in the cards for me, I’ll be honest, and so I was completely shocked,” he said. “It’s a miracle.” Tom married Ashley, 37, (his fourth marriage) in 2009, and told the ladies of “The View” he suffers from “a very low sperm count,” which has caused fertility struggles in all of his relationships. “It is hard on the women,” he said. “I’ve tried [to have kids] with other people, but since there is a God we were unable to conceive. Now God said, ‘This is it!’”


Jessica Chastain takes No. 1 and No. 2 with 'Mama' and 'Zero Dark Thirty'
Jessica Chastain is having a moment. Not only did the red-headed Oscar nominee win a Golden Globe last weekend for her work in Zero Dark Thirty, which forced her to take a night off from her Broadway run — yes she’s starring in Broadway’s The Heiress during the thick of awards season — but she’s now achieved something few actors have ever managed: she currently holds the number one and number two movies at the box office. Chastain’s latest vehicle, Mama, crushed the competition over the three-day weekend with a whopping $28.1 million. Chastain’s other entry, Zero Dark Thirty, fell only 28 percent in its sophomore weekend of wide release to $17.6 million, which brought the Osama Bin Laden huntdown’s total to $55.9 million.
1. Mama – $28.1 million
2. Zero Dark Thirty – $17.6 million
3. Silver Linings Playbook – $11.4 million
4. Gangster Squad – $9.1 million
5. Broken City – $9.0 million


Mathew Knowles Baby Mama Sues for More Money

Beyonce's dad Mathew Knowles emailed an ominous threat to the mother of his 2-year-old son -- or so the woman claims, and now she's gunning for him in court. Knowles' baby mama Alexsandra Wright filed legal docs, asking the family court judge to up her child support to cover expenses for security to protect their kid.  Mathew is currently on the hook for $12k a month. Wright claims she needs security because of a "threatening" email Knowles sent her back in September 2011, in which he wrote, "You hurt my family. There's a price to pay."  Wright also wants additional dough to cover expenses for a secure, private school. Knowles says he faithfully pays child support, adding the only reason he hasn't paid expenses for schooling is because they haven't agreed on the school. Knowles thinks Wright's latest legal move could backfire because his income has drastically decreased since the original order was issued.  Beyonce gave him walking papers in 2011. Knowles believes the judge should actually reduce his monthly payments.

 In a bohemian-style wedding Saturday afternoon, Big Brother alums Dominic Briones and Daniele Donato tied the knot at the Newland House Museum in Huntington Beach, Calif. The couple met while filming CBS's Big Brother 13 in the summer of 2011. She was a returning contestant; he, a newbie. "Truth be told, I really didn't like him at first," she says with a laugh. "I thought he was a little troublemaker. But we became friends, and although I didn't like him like that, it just grew." She adds, "After the finale, we became inseparable. We got to know each other really well, and we fell in love!"


TV NEWS
Alicia Keys is adding her voice to the Super Bowl show. The Grammy-winning R&B singer has been lined up to perform the national anthem before the NFL championship game on Feb. 3 in New Orleans, a person familiar with Super Bowl entertainment plans told The Associated Press.

Former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has joined CBS News as a contributor. CBS News Chairman Jeff Fager and president David Rhodes say Rice “will use her insight and vast experience to explore issues facing America at home and abroad.” Rice served as secretary of state during President George W. Bush’s second term. She was the first African-American woman to hold the post.


Another familiar face will soon be seen on ABC’s “Happy Endings.” Andy Richter, aka Conan O’Brien’s right-hand man, will guest star on the sitcom as Roy, father to Penny Hartz (played by “Saturday Night Live” alum Casey Wilson).


Prince will be honored with an Icon Award during the 2013 Billboard Music Awards. This year’s show will be broadcast live May 19 on ABC from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.

Benjamin Bratt is set to reprise his role as Manny’s bad boy biological dad Javier on “Modern Family” later this season, and when he returns, he’ll be joined by a special lady whose presence is sure to spice things up at the Delgado-Pritchett household. Former “Criminal Minds” star Paget Brewster has nabbed the role of Javier’s new girlfriend, Trish.

An “Arrow” beauty is heading to Dracula’s lair. NBC confirmed that Jessica De Gouw will play the female character Mina in the upcoming “Dracula,” which stars Jonathan Rhys Meyers.