Margaret Cho says Ellen DeGeneres was 'not nice' to her for most of her career: 'It's so creepy and weird'

Margaret Cho says Ellen DeGeneres was 'not nice' to her for most of her career: 'It's so creepy and weird'

Olivia Wong/WireImage; Steve Granitz/WireImage Margaret Chowon't be sendingEllen DeGeneresa friendship basket anytime soon. The comedian says the former talk show host acted as if they were strangers when she'd make appearances onThe Ellen DeGeneres Show,despite the fact that they were both working the comedy circuit in their early days in the 1980s. "Ellen was really weird and not nice to me for most of my career," Cho revealed on anew episodeofThe Kelly Mantle Show. She went on to explain how the two knew each other. "I opened for her in the 1980s, when she was a headliner in comedy clubs. Later, when I would do her talk show in the 2000s, she would act like we just met." Cho then quipped, "And I'm like, 'Bitch, what?' That's weird. We go way back. It's so creepy and weird." Vinnie Zuffante/Getty The actress and comic then recalled a specific incident that stuck with her when another guest praised her on DeGeneres' talk show. Cho had attended aDavid Bowieconcert dressed in what she described as a "Chinese emperor outfit," and the next day, while visiting the show, the singer complimented her elaborate attire to DeGeneres. However, she learned afterwards that Bowie's remarks about her during that segment had been edited out for the broadcast. "The producer, who's a really good friend of mine, had to call me and tell me, 'I can't believe she did this, but she cut it out of the show,'" Cho recalled. "'But you need to know that he was going on and on about your outfit. God said your name. He loves you.'" Cho admitted that she wasn't sure if Bowie's comments about her impressive look were cut from the show for time or for another reason. "But still — I'm going to take it personally," she said. Alice S. Hall/NBCU Photo Bank/Getty Cho briefly addressed her feelings toward DeGeneres on theHot Takes & Deep Divespodcast in 2020. When asked if she felt a sense of camaraderie with fellow queer comedians who were in the closet in the 1980s, like DeGeneres, Cho replied, "If you're queer, there's always a closeness." However, when addressing the 2020 scandal overDeGeneres' alleged toxic behind-the-scenes behavioron her daytime television series, Cho said, "I think she definitely is scary. I'm still scared of Ellen. Everyone should be scared of Ellen." Casey Durkin/NBC via Getty Followingapologies to her staffand an internal investigation by WarnerMedia that concluded that there were "deficiencies" in the show's production, with it eventually parting wayswith three producers, DeGeneres chose toend her talk showin 2021 after 19 seasons. "When you're a creative person, you constantly need to be challenged — and as great as this show is, and as fun as it is, it's just not a challenge anymore," she toldThe Hollywood Reporterat the time. In her final stand-up special, 2024'sEllen DeGeneres: For Your Approval, the comedian joked how the toxic workplace allegations got her "kicked out of show business." "Yeah, the 'be kind' girl wasn't kind, that was the headline," she said. "Here's the problem: I'm a comedian who got a talk show and I ended the show every day by saying, 'Be kind to one another.' Had I ended my show by saying, 'Go f--- yourselves,' people would've been pleasantly surprised to find out I'm kind." She later clarified, "I didn't go into this business for money. It was about healing my childhood wounds. I thought if I could make people happy, then they'll like me. And if they like me, I'll feel good about myself. All I can say about that is, thank God for the money." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Margaret Cho (@margaret_cho) Watch Cho's new interview onThe Kelly Mantle Showabove. Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byLiam Oneel

in

June 22, 2025

Margaret Cho says Ellen DeGeneres was 'not nice' to her for most of her career: 'It's so creepy and weird'

Margaret Cho says Ellen DeGeneres was 'not nice' to her for most of her career: 'It's so creepy and weird' Olivia Wong/W...

Read More

'You're not getting scouted at 12': Youth sports tips from a LLWS hero

'You're not getting scouted at 12': Youth sports tips from a LLWS hero

This is Part 1 of a three-part summer series visiting with three former major league All-Stars turned sports dads. They offer sports and life advice about how we can make our kids better players, but also how get the most out of athletic experiences with them. This week:Youth baseball with Todd Frazier, the former heart of Toms River (New Jersey) Little League who has returned home. Do you have youth sports figured out? "I think if anybody says they know what they're doing,"Todd Fraziersays, "they'd be lying to themselves." These words come from someone who spent 11 seasons as a standout in the major leagues, who was the MVP of the 1998 Little League World Series, who led off its final game with a home run and who recorded its last out as a pitcher. Today, he coaches his son Blake on the same field of his Jersey Shore township where he played as a kid. He broadcasts the annual championships from the one in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, where his team toppled Japan. He watches fellow dads urging on their players, and he knows exactly how they feel. "I'm coaching third base, you're trying to will 'em to hit the ball," Frazier tells USA TODAY Sports. "It's the worst. Now, as a parent understanding it, your son's 0-2 count, we're in the last inning … as a parent, it's very hard to distinguish when they're struggling and when they're doing well. "But everybody's been there." How we handle that moment – and not so much the result our kids produce in it – can define our athletic experiences with them. "There's no book, so you see these parents,some of them are just out of control," says Frazier, 39. "I've learned a lot over the years. I've honed back a little bit, understanding that it's not the end of the world when your kid does strike out with the bases loaded." How do we get to that space with our minds and emotions?Frazier, now a sports dad of three – sons Blake, 11, and Grant, 6, who play baseball; and daughter Kylie, 9, a gymnast – spoke to us about gaining the intrinsic value of youth sports while still staying keyed in and competitive. We were connected through his "Squish the Bug" campaign withOFF! Mosquito and Tick Repellents. It stresses batting fundamentals and how kids can stay active and intent through organized sports. Brent Musburger is on the call. Frazier swings and launches the pitch into a sea of people beyond the left field wall in Williamsport. When Frazier grew up, there was really nothing around that resembledtravel baseball. Little League was everything. Now, in some cases, one entity replaces the other. "Little League is the best, and I feel bad because a lot of kids aren't really experiencing it anymore because they're hearing it from some upper-tier people that say if you don't play travel ball, you'll never go to this college and that," he says. "And I think that's ridiculous. "You're not getting scouted at 8-, 9-, 10-, 11-,12-years old, man; (not) until you get to the big field." Everything, in a way, happens in miniature in Little League. The 12-year-old Frazier, who would grow up to be 6-3,was about 5-2. His 102-pound frame nearly floated around the bases after his leadoff home run and leaped gleefully into a dog pile after it was over. The events of our sporting lives when we are kids, though, are outsized. Sometimes, we think back to them in slow motion. When Frazier looks back,the end of his team's magical runis icing on the cake to the full portrait of moments his Little League career provided. In Williamsport alone, he became good friends with kids from Saudi Arabia and Japan. He traded team pins to other players for theirs and herode cardboard down the hill at Howard J. Lamade Stadium. "I was telling my wife the other day, my team was the last team to play the last game in Little League Baseball," he says. "Going to Williamsport's great, but the memories I've had were not only for myself but seeing the kids – so-called not really good baseball players – do well and get like a game-winning hit, and to see the smiles on their faces and the parents how excited they are. Those are memories that are lasting. And my success came from the help of a lot of other people. So did I have the skill? Of course. But you know, you need a lot of help as you move along the way." The help starts at the grass roots, back to where Frazier has gone, where our sports journey begins. And it starts with you. When kids set out to play baseball, or any sport, big league dreams bounce around their heads. But as they continue onward, the sensory moments they see, feel and experience in real time move front and center. They gain confidence in small steps: recording an out by throwing the ball to the correct base; kicking it within the progression of forward motion of the game; moving naturally to the open spot on the court for an open shot. As they get a little older, we are the ones – Frazier even admits to doing it – most likely to overanalyze what's going on. "Sure, you lose the game or you're eliminated, there's a lot of raw emotion," Patrick Wilson told USA TODAY Sports in March. Wilson is Little League International's president and chief executive officer and a longtime member of the operations ranks of the organization. "But shortly thereafter, they're being 12-year-olds again. They're stealing peoples' hats, trading pins … they move on very quickly. Now the adults, the coaches and their parents, they hold onto it a little longer." Frazier and his old Little League teammates had a different vibe around them, even by the time they reached Williamsport. He felt zero pressure. "None whatsoever," he says. "And I give the credit to the coaches and the parents as well. I think that's another thing in youth sports: If you have really good parents, you're gonna have a pretty good team, whether you win or lose, because you have no complaints. They're not worried about where their kid's hitting. And they're focused on how the coach is coaching and how the kid is getting better each day. And I think that was the big thing for us." Ex-teammate Tom Gannon, who would go on to become a police officer for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey,told LittleLeague.org in 2018that Toms River "had no intentions of getting that far. But we had great coaching, we meshed well as a team, and we gained more confidence as each round went on." First and foremost, they were allowed to be kids. Think of those first road trips your child takes with a team. There are always a few parents who are sticklers about keeping the players away from pools and amusement parks that might tire them out or otherwise distract them from the "reason" they are on the trip. But as I wrote to a reader in 2023, these are also moments that can make the event whole for young players, offering them not only memories but release from the moments you want them to be at their best on the field. "Of course you want to win," Frazier says. "That's just the nature of the beast. But are they getting better? Are they having fun? Are they putting their best foot forward? "It comes with time, and I've learned a lot over the years." 'DON'T BE A HELICOPTER PARENT':A golf giant's advice to help make youth sports more fun The idea behind Frazier's new campaign is to make a hitting drill more enjoyable and relatable to kids. As you swing, he teaches,turn your back foot as if you're "squishing a bug,"which pops your hips through the zone to help with leverage and power. Frazier shot a commercial with Blake at Toms River's Little League complex, where his son is playing 11-year-old All-Stars this summer. Next year, Frazier will coach Blake in Little League as his son looks for his own dream shot at Williamsport. "It's a big leap and bound," Frazier says. "I'm sure he's going to put his best foot forward. But yes, it's a goal and I think young kids nowadays need goals, and I think they need to understand: Set your goals high. You want to bat .500 and you bat .400, that's pretty darn good. So sometimes you reach for the stars and you hit the moon a little bit. That's still pretty good feat." He says, though, he's never really thought about sports goals he has for his kids. His sons and daughter are the ones developing those. "I would love for them all to play professional sports. I think that's the end goal," he says. "But knowing how hard it is,I tell my kids all the time: bring energy, emotion, enthusiasm, to anything you do, and you can't go wrong. Practice the right way. Just be you, but at the same time focus. And I think at this age, if you're focused and under control and not taking any pitches off, you're gonna have fun and you're gonna enjoy the moment." Frazier coaches Blake in travel baseball when he's not playing Little League. I have seen them at tournaments in our region. My son approached Frazier and told me how personable and conversant he was with kids on other teams. It's a approach Frazier has used to improve his coaching. COACH STEVE:Parenting tips from sons of former major leaguers We're back in that situation many sports parents dread: Our son or daughter is up with the bases loaded. When it happens, Frazier now sits back and observes. Whatever happens, it's a launching point for teaching. "Come here," Frazier might say to Blake or one of his other players. "I want to know what you learned from this experience and how we could have made it better, or how you could have done better." He feels having a pragmatic and good-natured style is more productive than saying, "What are you doing? Why didn't you swing at this pitch?" We want our children to initiate solutions, but to learn to cope with situations where they don't succeed. Let them fall and pick themselves up, leaning on you only if they need it. "Expect your kid to fail," Frazier says. "And I think that's hard for them to understand, because in the world we live in, it's the now, now, now … why isn't he doing it now? Why is he doing this? It's not their swing, it's not their hands are dropping, it's not they took their head off the ball. That's just the nature of baseball, and it's gonna happen over and over. And you just got to understand, 'OK, I can live with it, but hopefully he's getting better next time.'" Next week:Chasing success through a high school and college baseball experience Steve Borelli, aka Coach Steve, has been an editor and writer with USA TODAY since 1999. He spent 10 years coaching his two sons' baseball and basketball teams. He and his wife, Colleen, are now sports parents for two high schoolers. His column is posted weekly.For his past columns, click here. Got a question for Coach Steve you want answered in a column? Email him atsborelli@usatoday.com This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Former MLB All-Star provides tips for youth sports parents

byLiam Oneel

in

June 22, 2025

'You're not getting scouted at 12': Youth sports tips from a LLWS hero

'You're not getting scouted at 12': Youth sports tips from a LLWS hero This is Part 1 of a three-part summer series visiting wit...

Read More

'Misunderstood' Manny Machado makes no apologies on his path to Hall of Fame

'Misunderstood' Manny Machado makes no apologies on his path to Hall of Fame

PHOENIX – You don't have to like him. You can even hate him. San Diego Padresthird basemanManny Machadoreally doesn't care. Simply, he doesn't play this game to make friends. He plays this game to beat you, and if you don't respect him for that, hey, it's your loss. Machado, 32, one of the fiercest competitors in all of baseball, is about to go where only 11 men in history have gone before. He will be the 12th player to produce 2,000 hits with 350 homers before turning 33 years old. Machado, who has 1,989 hits and 354 homers entering Saturday, is on the verge of joining Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Lou Gehrig, Frank Robinson, Mickey Mantle, Jimmie Foxx, Mel Ott, Ken Griffey Jr., Albert Pujols, Miguel Cabrera and Alex Rodriguez as the only men to accomplish the feat. Eight of these players are enshrined in the Hall of Fame, and two have yet to be eligible but are shoo-ins with Pujols and Cabrera. Shhh, don't tell anyone, but Machado would love to be part of that distinguished group in Cooperstown one day, too. "I looked up to A-Rod, I looked up to Barry [Bonds], I looked up to Albert," Machado tells USA TODAY Sports. "They are all the guys I played the game for. Obviously, there's other pretty, pretty special people, but those were the main guys that inspired my game. Those were guys who played the game elite. We wanted to be those guys. "I wanted to be A-Rod, obviously, because I was a shortstop. I wanted to have Albert's swing. I wanted to have the power that Barry had, hitting it into the water and breaking records that were never meant to be broken. ... So when people talk about that list, it's pretty special." Machado, who has played shortstop in 236 games, and none since 2019, wants to be remembered as one of the greatest third basemen to ever play the game. After six All-Star appearances, two Gold Gloves and a Platinum Glove, he's still playing the position better than anyone in the game, other than José Ramírez of the Cleveland Guardians. There are only eight third basemen in history who have hit more home runs. He's the only active player to hit at least 28 homers in nine consecutive full seasons. And he is showing no signs of a dropoff, leading the National League in 11 offensive categories, hitting .311 with a .878 OPS, to go along with 12 homers and 46 RBIs. What the Padres and peers admire the most about Machado is that he consistently posts. He plays every day. No matter how he feels, how much he may be hurting, he's in the lineup. He hasn't missed a game this season. He has played at least 150 games nine times, including two years where he played in all 162. If it means that his numbers will drop because he's fatigued or playing hurt, he's fine with it, knowing with him in the lineup means his team has a better chance of winning. "It's just crazy what he does, man," Padres utilityman Tyler Wade says. "Last year, he's dealing with all of his elbow stuff and dealing with other injuries, he doesn't come out of lineup. When you see a guy doing that, you say, 'If he's doing it, I can play with my injuries.' "And it's not like he's just having OK years. He's having All-Star, MVP-caliber years every single year, and he's grinding. Everyone across the league knows what he means to the game. There's very few players in this league that have the impact on a city and an organization, and he's one of them. "Really, he's one of the most impressive guys I've ever been around." It's no coincidence the Padres began to be a power shortly after Machado's arrival as a free agent before the 2019 season. They have made the postseason three of the last five years, and with a 40-35 record, they're on their way to a fourth consecutive winning season, which has happened only once in their 56-year franchise history. "Manny coming here to San Diego is a big reason for us turning things around," says Padres GM A.J. Preller. "It was sending a message to the rest of baseball in terms of a premium impact player, in the prime of his career, coming to the San Diego Padres. "We were selling him on the potential of our vision, what it was going to look like on the field, and now you see a team that's been to the playoffs three times in the last five years. Next is to see a team led by Manny win the World Series. That's why he plays, honestly." There's nothing more that Machado would love before entering Cooperstown one day than leading the Padres to a World Series title. Twice, the Padres have been to the World Series. Twice, they got knocked off by legendary powerhouses in the 1984 Detroit Tigers and 1998 New York Yankees. They had the Los Angeles Dodgers on the ropes last year, leading 2 games to 1 in the best-of-five division series, and to this day the Dodgers will tell you the Padres were easily the best team they played all season. "I want to win so bad, that's why we play the game," Machado says. "And to win here, in a city that's never won before, it would mean everything. It's nothing to do with cementing your legacy or anything like that, I just want to win. When I came here, we had a vision to put this organization on another level. This organization has changed tremendously from Day 1 since I've been here. It's sold out every game. And we consistently win." Machado, who lives on Coronado Island across the bridge from Petco Park, isn't trying to win a popularity contest with the 29 other teams in baseball. He's old-school. He would have fit in perfectly with players from the 1960s and '70s like Bob Gibson, Don Drysdale, Pete Rose and all of those fiery competitors from yesteryear. No one ever accused them of being your friend, but my God, did they ever earn your respect. It's no different from Machado. To fully appreciate him, you've got to be with him. If you're his teammate, he's got your back. And you better have his, too. When teammate Fernando Tatis Jr. was hit three times in the last nine days by the Dodgers, including the last one that required him to get X-rays to make sure his hand wasn't broken, Machado casually offered this warning to anyone who dared listen: "Let's just hope his scan comes back negative. (The Dodgers) got to pray for it to come back negative tomorrow. They need to set a little candle up for Tati tomorrow. Hopefully it comes back negative. That's not a good spot to get hit. I don't care who it is, I don't care who's on the mound." The X-rays were negative, and Tatis played the next day, but Machado was making it quite clear there would be repercussions. "He might be one of the most misunderstood players in the game," Padres infielder Jake Cronenworth says. "You see him play with that edge, and he's kind of brought that onto the rest of the team. You see the way we play. We got guys playing hard, playing every day, and that's what he's brought to this team ever since he's been here. ... "You look at his career, it's almost the same every year, 150-plus games played, 30 homers, it's just not normal. It's almost the perfect recipe for a guy who's on his way to the Hall of Fame. This guy is on his own path to greatness." Padres manager Mike Shildt, who remembers the impact Pujols had in the St. Louis Cardinals clubhouse when he came up through the organization, sees a lot of similarities with Machado. He's the unofficial captain, the team's heart and soul and there's not an ounce of phoniness. "I think he's probably one of the most misunderstood players in our game," Shildt says. "I know the quality of human Manny is. I know Manny's heart. But think what's hard today is the sensitivity, the persecution, of just having the ability of being yourself. He is learning to channel all of the things that can be a challenge to be that consistent competitor and still be the core of who you are, which is core of who Manny Machado is, which is very special. … "It's much more difficult now to have a strong opinion or conviction. I'm not green-lighting doing something inappropriate or to offend someone, but gosh, man, being able to be an alpha, it gets to be more of a challenge for players. Competing hard every day is still OK. You want a commitment by every player to be willing to lay out, and that's what comes with high expectations. I won't apologize for that, and I don't think Manny's going to apologize.'' Machado should be back on baseball's center stage once again in three weeks. He is running away in the All-Star balloting and should be the NL's starting third baseman. It will be a chance, at least momentarily, to bask in his accomplishments, being only the fifth active player to achieve 2,000 hits. "I haven't really reflected on any of that," Machado says, "I still have a lot to accomplish, a lot to look forward to. But you definitely see what's happening in real time, and that's kind of surreal. You know, I just love playing the game. That's all I think about. If I'm not playing baseball, then I don't know what I'd be doing. "This is what I was made to do." – The baseball world lost a giant in the business with the passing Friday night of baseball writer Scott Miller, who gave pancreatic cancer everything it could handle during his 20-month battle. Miller, 62, was brilliant writer with a heart of gold, loved, admired and respected by everyone in the baseball community. His sensational book, "Skipper: Why Baseball Managers Matters," was just released in May. He was touched when baseball dignitaries like future Hall of Fame manager Dusty Baker, Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, Minnesota Twins greats Torii Hunter and Jacque Jones, and many, many more reached out in the past two weeks to express their love for him. He will be so greatly missed, but my best friend in the business, will never, ever, be forgotten. The baseball world lost Scott Miller today.@Ken_Rosenthaltalks about Scott Miller, and our hearts go out to the Miller family ❤️pic.twitter.com/2VTSiegLiu — FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX)June 22, 2025 – FormerColorado Rockiesmanager Bud Black, who turns 68 on June 30, could be rejoining the Rockies just a month after being dismissed as manager after eight seasons. Black is a strong candidate to replace Steve Foster, who is leaving his position as the Rockies' director of pitching to become pitching coach at Texas Tech. Black, a former pitching coach for Mike Scioscia with the Angels, has let friends know he has no interest in retiring and wants to remain in the game. – The Chicago Cubs are quietly preparing for the official announcement that they will host the 2027 All-Star Game now that the stadium isgetting upgraded security measures. – San Diego Padres veteran Gold Glove catcher Martin Maldonado plans to retire after this season, giving him 15 years in the major leagues. He says he wants to take a year off after retirement, and then is interested in getting back in the game on a coaching staff. – The New York Yankees andSan Francisco Giantsare keeping a close eye on versatile Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Isiah Kiner-Falefa, who should be available at the trade deadline. – In the aftermath of Tampa Bay Rays relieverHunter Bigge getting struck in the faceby a foul ball in the dugout, it's beyond time for MLB to install netting in front of the dugouts. If we're going to protect the fans with netting stretching across the top of the dugouts, why not protect the players? – The Arizona Diamondbacks' playoffs hopes continue to take body blows with co-closers A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez undergoing season-ending elbow surgeries, joining ace Corbin Burnes and starters Jordan Montgomery and Tommy Henry. If they're out of the race at the trade deadline, they'll be swarmed with calls seeking starters Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly, along with third baseman Eugenio Suarez, first baseman Josh Naylor and closer Shelby Miller. – Rival teams would love to get their hands on Cardinals starters Sonny Gray and Miles Mikolas, but they have full no-trade clauses, and have no interest in waiving them. – While the Los Angeles Angels certainly have some nice trade chips like left-hander Tyler Anderson, closer Kenley Jansen and infielder Luis Rengifo, they don't plan to sell at the trade deadline unless they suddenly fall apart. – It could be a rather dull trade deadline if teams don't start dropping out of the race in the next five weeks. Check out the standings: There are only six teams who are out of playoff contention: theChicago White Soxand the Athletics in the AL, and the Colorado Rockies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Nationals and Miami Marlins in the NL. – Ronald Acuña Jr. has played in only 25 games, but the way he's performing, he might be playing himself right into the All-Star Game. He's hitting .382 with a 1.176 OPS, including eight homers and 14 RBI. If selected, he'svolunteering for the Home Run Derbytoo. – Diamondbacks third baseman Eugenio Suárez was on the verge of being designated for assignment at year ago at this time, but since July 7, 2024, has become the finest power-hitting third baseman in the game. He since has 46 homers and 132 RBIs, joining the 300-homer club on Friday, and should be a coveted free agent after the season. The only players with more homers in this stretch are Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani – while no one has more RBIs. – Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes has permitted a total of just 21 earned runs in 16 starts this season. He has four victories. Really. – What a sensational start to a big-league career for Milwaukee Brewers rookie Jacob Misiorowski, who opened by throwing 11 no-hit innings in his first two starts. He is the only MLB pitcher in the modern era to have more victories (2) than hits permitted (1) in his first two career starts, according to OptaSTATS. – Look who's back as good as ever. Jacob deGrom is 7-2 with a 2.24 ERA. DeGrom, 37, has made 12 consecutive starts pitching at least five innings and allowing two or fewer runs. It's the longest streak in the Rangers/Senators history, and the longest by any pitcher 35 or older since 1900, according to STATS. – Cardinals third baseman Nolan Arenado is certainly making a case for the Hall of Fame by becoming one of only seven players in history to hit at least 350 homers with 10 Gold Glove awards, joining Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt as the only infielder to accomplish the feat. The others: Catcher Johnny Bench and outfielders Willie Mays, Ken Griffey Jr., Al Kaline and Andruw Jones. – That cheering sound you heard in the upper Midwest were the Minnesota Twins' owners celebrating the news that the Rays are in advanced talks to sell the team to Jacksonville developer Patrick Zalupski for areported $1.7 billion. If the Rays are being sold for that amount without a ballpark, the Twins' asking price of $1.7 billion could be an absolute steal. – The Phillies, who attempted to lock up DH Kyle Schwarber in spring training, aren't hiding their intentions to re-sign him when he's a free agent. They know how valuable he is in their clubhouse in addition to being a lethal left-handed bat. – If Red Sox first baseman Tristan Casas never got hurt, Rafael Devers would still be in Boston, and everyone would have been spared the drama. – The feud between Red Sox boss Craig Breslow and Devers is reminiscent of the hostility between former Rockies GM Jeff Bridich and Arenado when they ultimately traded Arenado to St. Louis. It was an utter disaster. The Rockies have never been the same, and on pace for 125 losses, their third consecutive 100-loss season. They used the savings of the Arenado trade to sign free agent bust Kris Bryant to a seven-year, $182 million contract, Bridich was gone two months later and Arenado is on his way to the Hall of Fame. – The Red Sox say that that they had conversations with the Mariners, Cubs, Padres, Blue Jays and Atlanta about Devers before dealing him to San Francisco. – If the Giants had not agreed to assume the $254.5 million remaining in Devers' contract, Giants owner Greg Johnson says there would have been no trade. Still, even after picking up his entire contract, the Giants added only $4.8 million to their payroll with the CBT because of the heavy deferrals in Devers' contract. It counts for only $15.8 million while the Giants dumped the $11 million Jordan Hicks is owed this year. – The Giants ever so quietly have been acting like, well, a big-market team. Why, after assuming Devers' contract, they also shelled out huge deals for Willy Adames (seven years, $182 million), Matt Chapman (six years, $151 million) and Jung Hoo Lee (five years, $104.75 million) the past two offseasons. – There's no better rivalry in baseball these days than the Dodgers and Padres, two franchises who legitimately hate each other. In their four-game series in Los Angeles, there were eight hit-by-pitches, a benches-clearing incident, two managers bumping one another on the field, and two managers and a player being suspended. – Padres outfielder Fernando Tatis has been hit five times by the Dodgers since comeback from his PED suspension in April, 2023, and only six other times by the rest of baseball. – Fabulous seeingCubs legend Sammy Sosaback at Wrigley Field on Friday for the first time in 21 years, with the crowd chanting "Sammy! Sammy!" "This is my house," Sosa told reporters during his media session. "I always believed it was going to happen. The time is perfect. Now I'm here again, and I will continue to be here. The relationship is tremendous, so hopefully we can continue that until the day that I die." – MLB commissioner Rob Manfred will be in Las Vegas to be part of the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the A's new home on the Vegas strip in 2028. – You think the Rangers rely heavily on Corey Seager? They are 166-86 when he gets a hit in a game, and 107-202 when they don't. The Rangers are going to go offensively only as far as Seager takes them. – While the Padres are desperately looking for a left fielder, can you imagine if they still hadJames Wood, who was sent to the Nationals in the Juan Soto trade? Wood, 22, is hitting .281 with 20 homers and 56 RBI this season. Meanwhile, Nationals shortstop C.J. Abrams who was also in the trade, should be in the All-Star Game where it's played in his hometown of Atlanta. He leads NL shortstops in OPS (.882) and slugging (.478). – Rockies starter German Marquez's trade value is starting to climb, yielding three or fewer runs in six of his last eight starts, with a 3.47 ERA in June. – The Houston Astros, who have a comfortable lead in the AL West, are about to get a few reinforcements with starter Cristian Javier, J.P. France, Spencer Arrighetti and Luis Garcia all making their way back from surgeries and could be joining the Astros in the second half. – Teams may want to steal a page out of the Angels' scouting report on facing Yankees slugger Aaron Judge. He hit just .182 (4-for-22) with only one extra-base hit and nine strikeouts against them this season. – Kudos to Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani for calming everyone down during the heated series against the Padres, waving his team off and telling them to stay in the dugout when he was hit for the second time. – Double Duty Warriors: The Cardinals have already played six doubleheaders this season. The rest of baseball has combined for just 11. – The Dodgers passed 2 million in attendance in just 40 home games, the quickest in franchise history. – Pope Leo XIV got the White Sox fans in a frenzy when he joined in on a"White Sox" chantwhile waving to the crowd traveling through Vatican City. – Remember when Yankees closer Luke Weaver was reported to be out four to six weeks with his left hamstring strain? He was back in less than three. – While Phillies outfielder Nick Castellanos was benched for a game after snapping at Phillies manager Rob Thomson after being pulled out of a game for defensive reasons, he certainly had no problem with the decision a day later. "We're two grown men that show up for work every day with the common goal of winning a World Series,"Castellanos told reporters. "If everybody just agrees on everything and doesn't speak their mind, there's not going to be passion there. Emotions drive people, especially passionate people. So, to think that there's going to be eight months of consistently being together and not butting heads at all, that probably doesn't happen." – Just when you thought Atlanta may be done for the year, well, they're not going away quietly, sweeping the Mets at home this week. "We're coming, we're coming," Atlanta DH Marcell Ozuna tells reporters. – White Sox starter Shane Smith, who was plucked off the Milwaukee Brewers' roster during the winter, could become the first Rule 5 pick to make the All-Star team since Dan Uggla of the 2006 Florida Marlins, according to STATS Perform. – It will be fascinating to see how outfielder Jurickson Profar performs when he's scheduled to be activated July 2 with Atlanta after his 80-game drug suspension. He is expected to be the No. 2 hitter in Atlanta's lineup. – Orioles veteran Charlie Morton, who looked like he was done five weeks ago when he was demoted to the bullpen with a 9.38 ERA, suddenly is yielding a 2.29 ERA and a 31.3% strikeout rate in his last 35 ⅓ innings. – There's no analytic studies needed for the Texas Rangers to know what's needed to win games. They are 27-4 when they score four or more runs. – Look for Blue Jays starter Max Scherzer, 40, to make his return to the big leagues as early as Tuesday, June 24. He hasn't pitched since March 29 when he left with a thumb injury. – Just when you thought that Chris Sale couldn't possibly come close to duplicating his Cy Young season, he's back for an encore, yielding a 1.23 ERA in his last 10 starts, striking out 82 in 66 innings. – It's hard to believe that Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor hasn't been an All-Star since he played for Cleveland in 2019. That will change. He'll be voted the NL's starting shortstop, tallying 1.02 million votes through the first update. Mookie Betts is second with just 597,188. – No one could have imagined that the Yankees' powerful offense would go AWOL, scoring seven runs in a seven-game span, losing six of them. The last time that happened? Would you believe Sept. 1-7, 1908, according to researcher Katie Sharp. – Dodgers utilityman Kiké Hernandez after learning that Dodgers owner Mark Walter was also purchasing the Los Angeles Lakers for $10 billion, the richest purchase in U.S. Sports history. "It was more of a shock like, 'Holy (expletive)!' We know you were rich, but you're that rich, kind of thing,"Hernandez told the LA Times. – So, just how did Javier Baez of the Detroit Tigerscelebrate his 10-year anniversaryin MLB? The dude hit two home runs. "It's been a long road, lots of ups and downs," Baez told reporters. "In this game, there are a lot of ups and downs and I've been down many times and never kept my head down. I kept working and I'm going to keep working until the last day. Honestly, I'm impressed with the way I'm still doing this.'' – Seattle Mariners catcherCal Raleigh, who hit his MLB-leading 30th homer on June 21, is now on pace to hit an AL record 65 homers. Next up on his bingo card: He is one stolen base shy of being the fourth catcher in history to hit 30 or more homers and steal at least 10 bases in a season, joining Hall of Famers Carlton Fisk (37 homers and 17 steals in 1985), Pudge Rodriguez (35 homers, 25 steals in 1999) and Jimmie Foxx (36 homers, 10 steals in 1937). – Everyone counted the Tampa Bay Rays out in mid-May, muddling along with a 18-22 record, averaging just 3.8 runs a game. They have since gone 24-14, averaging 5.7 runs a game, and breathing down the necks of the Yankees, just 1 ½ games out of firt place in the AL East. – It's going to be pretty cool seeing former Cardinals legends Albert Pujols and Yadier Molina manage against one another at the WBC next spring with Pujols leading the Dominican Republic and Molina back with Puerto Rico. They each aspire to be major-league managers. Follow Nightengale on X:@Bnightengale This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Padres' Manny Machado keeps putting up stats on path to Hall of Fame

byLiam Oneel

in

June 22, 2025

'Misunderstood' Manny Machado makes no apologies on his path to Hall of Fame

'Misunderstood' Manny Machado makes no apologies on his path to Hall of Fame PHOENIX – You don't have to like him. You can even ...

Read More

Director Kenneth Branagh compares Jodie Comer to young Meryl Streep: 'I wish I had shares in her future'

Director Kenneth Branagh compares Jodie Comer to young Meryl Streep: 'I wish I had shares in her future'

Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Kenneth Branaghjust paidJodie Comerthe highest compliment in Hollywood: He compared her toMeryl Streep. In a new interview, the award-winning filmmaker discussed directing Comer in his upcoming movie,The Last Disturbance of Madeline Hynde,heaping on the praise for his 32-year-old leading lady. "I consider myself fortunate to have worked with her at this stage in her career," Branagh said while speaking to U.K. outletThe Times. He added, "As somebody once said of the young Streep, 'I wish I had shares in her future.'" TheKilling Eveactress stayed humble when the director's Streep comparison came up in a separate interview for the same story, replying, "He is very kind… Bless him." John Phillips/Getty A psychological thriller due out in theaters next year,The Last Disturbance of Madeline Hyndealso stars Patricia Arquette, Michael Sheen, Tom Bateman, and Vicky McClure. Branagh stayed coy about the film's plot in theTimesinterview, teasing only vague poetic details about Comer's character — "dark night of the soul … reckless emotional exposure, volatility." Comer rose to fame playing assassinVillanellein the hit BBC America seriesKilling Eve.The role earned her critical acclaim, scoring her a 2019 Emmy Award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series and two BAFTA TV awards. The British actress also earned an Olivier Award and a Tony Award for Best Actress for her performance as a lawyer defending men from sexual assault until she becomes a victim herself in the stage playPrima Facie.She latter held her own inRidley Scott's 2021 drama,The Last Duel,in which she starred oppositeMatt DamonandBen Affleck, and inThe Bikeriders,Jeff Nichols' 1960s-set drama about the rise and fall of a Midwestern motorcycle gang that also featuredTom HardyandAustin Butler. Check out more from EW'sThe Awardist, featuring exclusive interviews, analysis, and our podcast diving into all the highlights from the year's best in TV, movies, and more. Comer is currently gracing the big screen inDanny Boyle's zombie thriller28 Years Later, a sequel to the 2002 flick28 Days Later. Miya Mizuno/Columbia Responding to another Branagh comment about how she was "hungry for hard work," Comer toldThe Times, "Probably. I like a bit of hard work. It's a space I like to be in, that I don't feel I fully understand it, or I ever really will." Speaking on how she maintains boundaries between her work and her personal life, Comer noted, "There does seem to be a real fashion to see how much you can torture yourself. And you can see it a lot when it comes to campaign season [for awards]. It becomes, 'How far has everyone gone? How much has everyone given?' And that's not something I can connect with personally." John Nacion/Variety via Getty Streep is a Hollywood legend with three Academy Awards, three Emmys, two Screen Actors Guild awards, a Presidential Medal of Freedom, seven Grammy nominations, and an American Film Institute Life Achievement Award. She recently appeared onOnly Murders in the Buildingseasons 3 and 4 as Loretta Durkin, an actress whomarriesmain character Oliver Putnam (Martin Short) inthe season 4 finale. Read the original article onEntertainment Weekly

byLiam Oneel

in

June 22, 2025

Director Kenneth Branagh compares Jodie Comer to young Meryl Streep: 'I wish I had shares in her future'

Director Kenneth Branagh compares Jodie Comer to young Meryl Streep: 'I wish I had shares in her future' Ron Galella/Ron Galella Col...

Read More

Lynn Hamilton, ‘Sanford and Son’ and ‘The Waltons’ Actress, Dies at 95

Lynn Hamilton, 'Sanford and Son' and 'The Waltons' Actress, Dies at 95

Lynn Hamilton, a retired actress who had a recurring role as Donna Harris in "Sanford and Son," died on June 19. She was 95. Hamilton died in her home in Chicago of natural causes, according to aFacebookpost from her former manager and publicist, Rev. Calvin Carson. More from Variety Sian Barbara Allen, Actor in 'Scream, Pretty Peggy' and 'You'll Like My Mother,' Dies at 78 Harvey Laidman, 'The Waltons' and 'Hawaii Five-O' Director, Dies at 82 Marlene Clark, Who Appeared in 'Sanford and Son' and 'Ganja & Hess,' Dies at 85 "Her illustrious career, spanning over five decades, has left an indelible mark on the world of entertainment, motivating audiences across the globe through her work as a model, stage, film and television actress," he wrote. In addition to "Sanford and Son," the actress held a recurring role on "The Waltons" as Verdie Grant Foster. She also made several TV appearances in sitcoms, soap operas and miniseries including, "Roots: The Next Generations" (1979), "The Golden Girls" (1985), "227" (1985), "Generations" (1989),  "Dangerous Women" (1991) and "Port Charles" (1997). Born in Yazoo City, Miss., Hamilton moved with her parents to Chicago Heights, Ill., at 12 years old. She attended Bloom High School but gained acting experience at Goodman Theatre, beginning her career in Chicago's community theater scene. Once she moved to New York in 1956, she made her Broadway debut with the 1959 play "Only in America." She continued to act on stage, appearing in the following plays: "The Cool World," "Face of a Hero" and "Tambourines to Glory." She also spent three years with the New York Shakespeare Festival and was a member of President Kennedy's cultural exchange program, where she toured and performed in "The Miracle Worker" and "The Skin of Our Teeth." In 1966, she joined the Seattle Repertory Theatre. Once she took her talents on-screen, the first project Hamilton appeared in was John Cassavetes' 1958 drama "Shadows," where she held a background role during a party scene. She then went on to appear in NBC's "Sanford and Son" in the seventh episode of the series as a landlady before being cast in a recurring role as Fred Sanford's girlfriend and fiancée on the TV sitcom. Her character, Donna, was a nurse who frequently cared for Fred (played by Redd Foxx). She worked on the sitcom from 1972 to 1977. While on "Sanford and Son," Hamilton made her debut as Verdie on the drama series "The Waltons." Her recurring role lasted from 1973 to 1981. In between working on both shows, she also appeared in the 1974 films "Hangup" and "Leadbelly" (1976). Her other film credits include "The Jesse Owens Story" (1984), "Legal Eagles" (1986), "The Vanishing" (1993) and "Beah: A Black Woman Speaks" (2003). Hamilton was married to poet and playwright Frank Jenkins from 1964 until he died in 2014. Best of Variety New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar Sign up forVariety's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us onFacebook,Twitter, andInstagram.

byLiam Oneel

in

June 22, 2025

Lynn Hamilton, ‘Sanford and Son’ and ‘The Waltons’ Actress, Dies at 95

Lynn Hamilton, 'Sanford and Son' and 'The Waltons' Actress, Dies at 95 Lynn Hamilton, a retired actress who had a recurring ...

Read More

She's a distance-running legend. Can she break a barrier long thought impossible?

She's a distance-running legend. Can she break a barrier long thought impossible?

Last winter, a study startled the running world when a team of researchers concluded that, under the right circumstances, Kenyan superstar Faith Kipyegon could break a barrier long thought impossible — becoming the first woman to run one mile in less than 4 minutes. In the coming days, under a worldwide spotlight, that theory will be put to the test. Kipyegon on Thursday will line up in Paris in a Nike-sponsored race called "Breaking4," just four laps — and 1,609 meters, to be exact — from history. If there were ever a runner to make such an attempt, it would be the 31-year-old Kipyegon. A three-time Olympic gold medalist in the 1,500 meters, who holds the world record in the 1,500 meters and formerly held the record at 5,000 meters, as well, she has come closer to the 4-minute barrier than anyone. In 2023, racing in Monaco, Kipyegon smashed the previous world record for the mile by running 4:07.64. "She's really stretching your imagination and acceptance of how women can excel in sport," said Rodger Kram, an associate professor emeritus at the University of Colorado who co-authored the studypublishedin February in the Royal Society of Open Science. Yet speed alone won't make up the 7.64-second difference between her personal best and a barrier-breaking achievement — a lifetime in a race as short as the mile. The great variable surrounds how exactly Kipyegon will "draft" off pace-setters around her, thus reducing her aerodynamic drag. How many pacers Nike will use, and what formation they will employ, remains a mystery. Kipyegon toldThe Associated Pressthat "breaking four will really cement my legacy." Yet breaking four minutes could lead to a wider effect. Half-marathons and marathons have enjoyed a post-pandemic participation boom, but Kram wondered whether Kipyegon's example could inspire more women to run middle distances. "To see that, one, we actually want to go after a female record, that's exciting," said Shalaya Kipp, a former Olympic distance runner and NCAA champion who co-authored the study. "It's going to not only draw more females to the sport, but it's also going to help draw more attention to female physiology and get more research done on females too. "... That's not the runner in me, but that's the scientist in me that gets really excited if we have this. Scientists are going to start working with more female athletes, and that is a big gap we have right now." As experts in physiology and kinesiology, Kram, Kipp and their study's co-authors, Edson Soares da Silva and Wouter Hoogkamer, were already fans of running. But their pursuit of whether a female sub-4 mile was possible began in earnest in 2023 while watching Kipyegon run her 4:07 world record while using pacers for only half the race. "It really stood out to us that this was a very fast race — a world record, of course — but she had terrible drafting," said Kipp, a postdoctoral research fellow at the Mayo Clinic. "We're track nerds, and we watched that, and we're like, 'Well, what if? What if?' And then we were like, we actually could do that math." The researchers' sub-four findings were modeled on a scenario in which Kipyegon would draft off a team of all-female pacers, in part for the gender-breaking symbolism it would represent, Kipp said. In that scenario, the study found that if Kipyegon could stay within about 40 inches behind a pacer in front of her, and 40 inches in front of another behind her — with a new pacing team swapping in halfway through — it would create an aerodynamic "pocket" in which she would face the least wind resistance. Under those conditions, Kipyegon could run 3:59.37, the paper concluded — the exact time run by Roger Bannister in 1954 when he, using pacers for more than 80% of the race, became the first person to ever break the sub-4 barrier. Less remembered is that also in 1954, Diane Leather became the first woman to break the 5-minute barrier in the mile. It took more than half a century for the idea of a woman running a sub-4 mile to enter the realm of possibility, however, as training, times and technology all improved. An inflection point arrived in 2016. That year, Nike became the first shoe company to combine an exceptionally bouncy new foam with rigid "plates" in their shoes and spikes.Studieshave determined such "supershoes" require less effort to run at a given pace by absorbing the impact from each footstrike, allowing runners to rebound quicker. The breakthrough led Nike to design a different moonshot race, dubbed "Breaking2," in which Kenyan superstar Eliud Kipchoge attempted to become the first person to run a marathon in less than two hours. He came up 25 seconds short during his first try, in 2017. In his second attempt, three years later, Kipchoge ran 1:59.40. The times do not count as an official world record because the carefully tailored attempt did not meet the standards of the sport's global governing body, but it represented a seismic shift in what was possible all the same. It was also a sign of things to come. "We opened the 2016 floodgates," Kipp said, "and we saw these times dropping." Of the 50 fastest miles run by womenall-time, 33 have been run since 2016, including 10 of the top 11. The world record of 4:12.56 had stood since 1996 until Sifan Hassan ran 0.23 of a second faster in 2019. Four years later, KipyegonshatteredHassan's world record by a stunning 4.69 seconds in Monaco. In Paris this week, Kipyegon will wear custom-made Nike supershoe spikes as well as a speedsuit and custom bra designed to reduce drag. Kipyegon is unique in that her stride appears effortless, as if floating, Kipp said. Yet what matters most, Kram and Kipp said, is whether Kipyegon has improved at staying tucked in behind her pacers. Nike did not consult with Kram, Kipp or their research team on the technical details of Kipyegon's attempt. How the sportswear giant will handle the number and gender of the pacers has led to significant intrigue. Stadiums hosting professional meets feature a metal "rail" on the inside of the first lane, separating the track from the infield. Because Paris's Stade Charlety has little rubberized track surface inside of the rail, it's unlikely it will have the space needed to use the type of "full arrowhead" formationit employedin its attempt to help Kipchoge break two hours in the marathon. Kram wonders if Nike will employ a "half arrowhead" or perhaps even the model the researchers studied, with one in front and one behind. He and Kipp will also be watching for how Kipyegon and her pacers line up at the start; how relaxed she appears while pushing an unprecedented pace; and, nearing the finish, when the pacers will peel away to allow Kipyegon to finish alone. "I'm going to be watching to make sure that she's in the pocket, and that the pacers don't get too excited," Kram said. "... In the first 200 (meters) you can ruin your chances for the mile. If she goes out and runs 27 (seconds), she's cooked. She's got to go out in 29, 29-high. "If she comes through 1,200 in 3 minutes, I think she's going to get it. Other people are saying, 'Oh, that's when she's going to die.' But I believe in our numbers and our calculations." Kipchoge and his training partners wore T-shirts featuring "Breaking4" and Kipyegon's image during training recently. "It's been an honor for us to support (Kipyegon) as she prepares to achieve the unthinkable and to break down the barriers of human performance," Kipchoge wroteon Instagram. "Faith is a true inspiration for our world. If there's one person to do it, it is you. Go for it!" The race also comes at a significant moment for Nike itself. The company's roots are in running — it was founded by a middle-distance runner, Phil Knight, and his collegiate track coach — and more runners finished distance races in 2024 wearing the brand than any other, according to an industry groupsurvey. In recent years, however, Nike's shelf space and market share among running shoes has been challenged by newcomers such as Hoka and On. Kipyegon's sub-4 attempt will come on the same day that Nike is scheduled tohosta quarterly earnings call. In the days before Kipyegon's race, Kram acknowledged having nerves over how the study's findings would fare in a real-life test. Many of his previous studies had received scant attention from the wider public, he said. February's sub-4 paper, by comparison, had drawn global attention. "Even if we don't go below four, how exciting is it just to have this attempt?" Kipp said. "Is it really going to be a failure if she runs, you know, 4:01, 4:02? It's still going to be a big deal. "That's how Eliud Kipchoge's first sub-2 (marathon) attempt was. It wasn't perfect, but it lowered the standard, and it made us realize, if we can get closer we can do it."

byLiam Oneel

in

June 22, 2025

She's a distance-running legend. Can she break a barrier long thought impossible?

She's a distance-running legend. Can she break a barrier long thought impossible? Last winter, a study startled the running world when a...

Read More

What Do the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Do When They Aren't on the Field? All About Their Day Jobs

What Do the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Do When They Aren't on the Field? All About Their Day Jobs

Reece Weaver/ TikTok ; Courtesy of Netflix © 2025 ; Allison Khong/ Instagram Season 2 ofAmerica's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaderswas released on Netflix on June 18 The new season followed some cheerleaders juggling their day jobs, and fighting for higher pay One cheerleader said there's "no way" she'd be able to "survive off just DCC" The grind doesn't stop for theDallas Cowboys Cheerleaderswhen they step off the NFL field and change out of their uniforms. Season 2 ofAmerica's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders, which was released on Netflix on June 18, followed rookies and veterans alike as they took on the 2024-2025 season. But on top of rehearsals, NFL games and media appearances, several of them still clocked in for their 9-5 jobs. During a January 2025 conversation with PEOPLE, DCC veteranMarissa Phillips, who works at an accounting firm and co-runs a fashion brand, opened up about the busy lives that she and several other fellow squad members lead as they juggle their day jobs. "We're all very determined and we're all very aspirational ... so we all load ourselves up a lot with work," Phillips said. "You'll see a lot of us that work corporate jobs but then alsohave side businesses like I dowith the boutique." She added, "They're busy days and they're hard and they're long, but I'm living the dream that I always hoped for so it's always fun doing what I do." So, what do the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders do when they aren't cheering? Here's everything to know about theAmerica's Sweethearts: Dallas Cowboys Cheerleadersstars' day jobs. Courtesy of Netflix ©2025 (2) Many of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders split their time between the squad and their individual career pursuits. While season 1 put the spotlight on DCC alumKelcey Wetterberg, who spent her time off the field as a pediatric nurse, season 2 followed several other squad members' day jobs. Armani Latimeris busy as a group leader, but she is also the billing director at a law firm and is working toward applying to law school. When Brooklyn Davis isn't at practice, she works as a sales manager for the National Medal of Honor Museum, per herLinkedInandInstagrambio. Meanwhile, Jada Mclean is a cosmetic associate, who assists the estheticians at a private practice, whileReece Weaverspends her time away from the field as a florist. As for Phillips, she is a full-time employee at an accounting firm and co-runs an online fashion brand, Joey Lynn Boutique, with her sister, Micaela. Outside of cheer, Anna Kate Sundvold works in financial planning services at Bluecrest Financial Alliances, per herLinkedIn. Six-year veteranChandi Daylehas several jobs outside of being a group leader for the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. She works at a pilates studio in the morning, helps with her family's drug packaging mail-order pharmacy (which she wants to do long-term), acts as a receptionist for one of the team's sponsors and does social media for a pediatric dentistry. Courtesy of Netflix ©2025 While many of the cheerleaders are working jobs that they are passionate about, many of them have been open about needing additional sources of income, too. Mclean explained that there's "no way" she would be able to "survive off just DCC." "We're all working so many hours outside of [DCC], just trying to compensate financially," she continued. "It's really hard to work two jobs, but also give your full commitment to DCC while you're here." Veteran Megan McElaney echoed that the professional dance world is "not a sustainable lifestyle." "I'd say DCC is the most stable dance job that there is, but still, you're gonna need two jobs as a dancer," she said. "It's just how it is." In 2022,NBC Sports Bostonreported that NFL cheerleaders typically earn around $150 per game, with an average yearly salary of about $22,500. Per the outlet, the Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders had been earning $15 to $20 per hour or $500 per game, making their yearly salary approximately $75,000. However, season 2 of the Netflix docuseries followed the team's contract negotiations as they fought for higher pay. After the 2024-25 season, Dallas Cowboys executives agreed to a pay increase, which resulted in a "life-changing" 400% pay increase for the upcoming 2025-26 season, McElaney shared in the docuseries. "We pushed and we got back good results," Latimer said. "I get emotional knowing that I was a part of that. I love the fact that I made change for the girls that are coming up behind me, even if I'm not getting a chance to benefit." Marissa Phillips/ Instagram (2) During an August 2024 appearance onThe Unplanned Podcast, Weaver explained that it's more common for veteran cheerleaders to work 9-5 jobs as opposed to rookies. During her rookie season, Weaver spent the mornings delivering flowers to bring in "a little bit more income," but it also gave her plenty of time to prepare for practice. "This was especially important during rookie season because I wanted to have something and then come back and do choreography, make sure I'm prepared and all of the things that you kind of have to do in your rookie season to be your best in practice," she said. New squad member Allison Khong spent her rookie season simultaneously pursuing a master's degree in healthcare administration from Texas Tech University, which she earned in May 2025, per herInstagram. As for how the veterans with 9-5 jobs juggle their commitments, Latimer described her "busy life" as "very hard," but emphasized the importance of "great time management." Often, that means going straight from the corporate office to the practice field. Phillips clocks into her accounting job at 9 a.m. for an eight-hour shift before driving over to AT&T Stadium for practice. "I'll pack all of my stuff for practice with me in the car," she told PEOPLE. "So I'm packing breakfast, I'm packing lunch, I'm packing dinner and then I have all my practice clothes with me." Courtesy of Netflix ©2025 Although Dallas Cowboys Cheerleader directorKelli Finglasswants the cheerleaders' focus to be on the team, she's also supportive of them following other passions and pursuing day jobs off the field. "All of their degrees and their careers are actually what make them really impressive, that there are so many layers to them," Finglass said in season 2. "They're not just dancers. I think that makes them really interesting." Read the original article onPeople

byLiam Oneel

in

June 22, 2025

What Do the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Do When They Aren't on the Field? All About Their Day Jobs

What Do the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders Do When They Aren't on the Field? All About Their Day Jobs Reece Weaver/ TikTok ; Courtesy of Ne...

Read More

9 Easter Eggs You Might Have Missed in “Elio ”(Including This Sweet Nod to “Toy Story”!)

9 Easter Eggs You Might Have Missed in "Elio "(Including This Sweet Nod to "Toy Story"!)

Disney/PIXAR Eliotells the story of a boy taken by aliens and mistakenly identified as Earth's official ambassador The Pixar film includes several nods to past and future films in the universe Elio, which premiered on June 20, stars Yonas Kibreab, Remy Edgerly, Zoe Saldaña, Brad Garrett, Brandon Moon and Jameela Jamil Eliois loaded with plenty of hidden PixarEaster eggs! The animated film, which hit theaters on June 20, is Pixar and Walt Disney Pictures' latest film.Eliotells the story of an 11-year-old boy scientist named Elio Solis (Yonas Kibreab) as he struggles to fit in with the rest of his classmates. He discovers how to get transported to space and becomes friends with the aliens, including his best friend Glordon (Remy Edgerly). However, his adventure with the aliens takes a turn when he finds himself accidentally getting identified as Earth's official ambassador. "The cosmic misadventure introduces Elio, a space fanatic with an active imagination and a huge alien obsession," the film's synopsis reads. "Mistakenly identified as Earth's leader, Elio must form new bonds with eccentric alien lifeforms, navigate a crisis of intergalactic proportions, and somehow discover who and where he is truly meant to be." In addition to Kibreab and Edgerly, the animated film also stars the voices ofZoe Saldaña,Brad Garrett, Brandon Moon andJameela Jamil. In true Pixar fashion, the film's creators included several Easter eggs while makingElio. Here are the nine Easter eggs you may have missed while watchingElio. Disney/Pixar By now, many Pixar fans are aware of the famous Pizza Planet Truck that is in nearly every Pixar movie. The truck, which is a rusty yellow 1978 Gyoza Mark VII Lite Hauler pickup truck, made its debut inToy Storyin 1995. Production designer Harley Jessup confirmed that viewers will once again be able to spot the yellow car inElio. "The Pizza Planet makes an appearance," Jessup toldGold Derby. Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection In addition to physical Easter eggs, theEliocreators also took inspiration from the beloved 2017 filmCoco. "We were trying, because it is his Hispanic family, we're trying to add a couple things fromCoco," lighting art director Ernesto Nemesio told Gold Derby. "There's a couple of Easter Eggs in his house where there's some posters that Frida Kahlo painted inCocothat are in the background." Disney/Pixar One of the movie's Easter eggs is literally written in the stars! Pixar's signature logo, a luxo desk lamp, was featured in the night stars. "There might also be a Luxo lamp outline in the stars. I think somebody tried to fit those in," animation supervisor Travis Hathaway told Gold Derby. Disney/Pixar Just like the Pizza Planet Truck, the number "A113" is shown in nearly every single Pixar movie. Two ofElio's directors, Domee Shi and Madeline Sharafian, confirmed toScreenRantthat the movie also includes the numerical phrase. However, the directors got creative with it, as the number actually appears as "Area 113" embroidered on the back of Elio's camouflage backpack. In addition to it being a nod to the famous phrase, it also pays homage to the real, highly classified Area 51 Air Force base. Of course, it wouldn't be a Pixar movie if it didn't tease the next film the studio has planned. InElio, viewers can specifically find an Easter egg for Pixar's next filmHoppers, which is set to hit theaters in spring 2026. The space movie features a scene with a lizard that will be a main character inHoppers. "There are a few Easter eggs — or more than Easter eggs — where with our next film, a full-on character shows up," Hathaway told Gold Derby. Meanwhile, Sharafian told ScreenRant, "We do have a hint toward our next film. It's in the universe somewhere. It's a character, and it's for the filmHoppers. It's onscreen for a pretty long time and kind of featured, which is rare. Normally, it's not featured like that." Disney/Pixar In addition to other Pixar nods, the animators also highlighted a few references to the team who helped make the movie. One of those insider references is a striped blue shirt that Elio wears. "Our lighting [director] has a Zoom screen with this striped blue shirt, and we put that shirt on Elio," visual effects supervisor Claudia Chung told Gold Derby. Another classic Easter egg in the Pixar universe is the Luxo ball, a yellow ball with a blue stripe in the middle and a red star on the front. InElio, the ball may be slightly harder to find, as it's a stamp on a water bottle on Elio's desk. Disney/Pixar In addition to physical objects inElio, there is also a voice Easter egg. As viewers see in the movie, Elio roams around an air and space museum where he learns about NASA's Voyager and other galaxies in a narrated description. The narrator is none other thanKate Mulgrew, who played Captain Kathryn Janeway on theStar Trek: Voyagerseries. Disney/Pixar Another insider reference the creators implemented was the name they gave a radio Elio uses. The film's producer, Mary Alice Drumm, revealed that they combined two of the directors' names, Shi and Sharafian, to put on the radio. "When you're making a movie ... you're tracking the directors all the time," Drumm explained at a panel for the film in London, perDexerto. "It was like 'Where's Domee and Maddy?' Then it started being 'Where's Domad?' So the radio at the beginning – I don't know if you could see it – it's a 'Domad' radio." Read the original article onPeople

byLiam Oneel

in

June 22, 2025

9 Easter Eggs You Might Have Missed in “Elio ”(Including This Sweet Nod to “Toy Story”!)

9 Easter Eggs You Might Have Missed in "Elio "(Including This Sweet Nod to "Toy Story"!) Disney/PIXAR Eliotells the stor...

Read More

34 Celebrities Who Shared the Screen with Their Children (Including Tina Fey and Adam Sandler)

34 Celebrities Who Shared the Screen with Their Children (Including Tina Fey and Adam Sandler)

Courtesy Oscilloscope When finding the perfect costar to act alongside in films and on TV shows, some celebrities didn't have to look further than their households. Whether born into acting dynasties or inspired by the talent that tucked them in at night, many famous childrenshare similar features with their parentsand acting credits, too. ​Singer-songwriter andStranger ThingsstarMaya HawketoldThe Times UKin 2024 that she felt "lucky" tofollow in the footsteps of her parents,Ethan HawkeandUma Thurman. "There are so many people who deserve to have this kind of life who don't, butI think I'm comfortable with not deserving itand doing it anyway," Maya said. Marvel franchisestarChris Hemsworthdescribed collaborating withhis three kidsin 2022'sThor: Love & Thunderas "a special experience we all had." From blockbuster movies toEmmy Award-winning series, here are the celebrity parents and their progenies who have starred on-screen together. Related:Hollywood's Famous Acting Families, from the Hemsworths to the Hudsons Courtesy of Netflix Adam Sandler's daughters,Sadie and Sunny, have practicallygrown up on setalongside their superstar father. Along with their mom,Jackie Sandler, both haveappeared in multiple Adam-led films— making cameos in 2010'sGrown Upsand 2012'sThat's My Boy, garnering more screen time in 2017'sSandy Wexlerand 2020'sHubie Halloweenand voicing animated characters in theHotel Transylvaniafranchiseand 2023'sLeo. The Sandler sisters nabbed their first starring roles in the 2023 Netflix movieYou Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah, with Sunny playing Stacy Friedman and Sadie as her older sister, Ronnie. In 2023, Adam told PEOPLE that "it's good to learn" with his daughters and shared the advice he gave about their acting careers so far. "I tell them to make sure youfeel good about what you doand how hard you worked, and you judge yourself," said theHappy Gilmorestar. "Don't let too many people try to get in your head. If you feel like you gave it your all, that's all you can ask." Apple TV+ Wyatt Russellhad his dad,Kurt Russell, by his side in his first few big screen appearances — first as a young orphan in 1996'sEscape from L.A., then as a younger version of his father in 1998'sSoldier. Little did he know, 25 years later, he'd once again step into the role of his dad's younger self. On the Apple TV+ seriesMonarch: Legacy of Monsters, Kurt and Wyattportray the same character, Lee Shaw, a member of the secretive organization Monarch, a group devoted to studying massive unidentified terrestrial organisms (MUTOs). The series follows Shaw across two timelines, tracing his story arc from a dedicated U.S. Army officer (Wyatt) in his youth to a seasoned veteran deeply embedded within Monarch in his later years (Kurt). The Rivals of Amziah Kingactor said that after watching his son Wyatt's performance, he changed the way he approached the character of Shaw. "I was no longer really watching my son, Wyatt or anything," he told PEOPLE in 2024. "It really hit me that this is not a father-son thing. This is the same person, and I was going to have to kind of get a hold of some things and carry them through, and it was really building on what he was doing." It is safe to say the Force is strong in the Fisher family. Scream QueensstarBillie Lourdmade her feature film debut next to her mother, the lateCarrie Fisher, in 2015'sStar Wars: The Force Awakens.Lourd was cast as Lieutenant Connix, a member of the Resistance serving underGeneral Leia Organa, played by her mom. In a 2019essay forTIME, Lourd shared moments on the set with her mother, including the first time she got thesignature Princess Leia double buns. "Even though she complained for years about how the iconic Leia buns 'further widened my already wide face,' she desperately wanted me to carry on the face-widening family tradition!" wrote Lourd. "Some people carry on their family name, some people carry on holiday traditions — I was going to carry on the family hairstyle." Fisherdied after going into cardiac arrestin 2016 at age 60. In 2024, on the anniversary of her mother's death on Dec. 27, Lourd wroteon Instagram, "I watch the magic that ismy son and daughterand I know she is a piece of that magic." Related:Billie Lourd Reveals She 'Didn't Like' Princess Leia Growing Up: 'I Just Wanted My Mom' Carolco/Rambling Rose/Midnight Sun/Kobal/Shutterstock The daughter of acclaimed actorsDiane Ladd and Bruce Dern,Laura Dernhasbecome a prominent figure in Hollywoodin her own right, earning her first Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2020 for Netflix'sMarriage Story. Though she appeared as a child in a few of Ladd's earlier projects, Laura and her mom didn't team up untilDavid Lynch's surreal road trip filmWild at Heartin 1990. "It's always been a desire of mine to work with my parents, so this was a wish come true," LauratoldInterviewmagazineat the time. "The first day we did a scene together, I came down the stairs, and my mom pointed that finger at me [and said the line:] 'Don't you dare talk to that boy again!' You know, I've seen that finger for 23 years. And I started laughing, she started laughing, then the whole crew broke up!" She added, "It sounds like a cliché, but she's [Ladd] really one of my closest friends, and so's my dad." In 1992, Laura madeAcademy Awardshistory with Ladd when they both were nominated for their performances in the historical dramaRambling Rose, marking the first time a mother-daughter duo was honored for the same film. The two would later appear as costars inCitizen Ruth(1996),Daddy and Them(2001),Inland Empire(2006) and on HBO'sEnlightened.Art imitates life, as Laura and Ladd often play mother and daughter on-screen, and in 2023, the duoreleased the joint bookHoney, Baby, Mineof their intimate conversations. "We both longed to talk about the things that we'd left unsaid in our life together," Laura told PEOPLE. Vivien Killilea/Getty Images for ABA Since her turn onStranger Thingsas monster hunter and Steve Harrington wranglerRobin Buckley, Maya has continued to rack up on-screen credits — a few opposite her celebrity parents. In 2020, Maya and father Ethan starred in the historical miniseriesThe Good Lord Bird. She played Annie Brown, the daughter of abolitionist John Brown (Ethan), who also created the limited series. "It's a little mind-blowing," Ethan said of his daughter's talent during an appearance onLate Night with Seth Meyersin 2020. "People are often all over the internet and news and TV shows and stuff, you know, trying to stay young, trying to talk about how awful it is getting old." The Oscar-nominated filmmaker continued, "Then you find yourself on a set, telling a story that you really want to tell ... that you have a passion to tell, and your 22-year-old daughter wants to tell it with you. And she's got ideas. She has a grace that she gave the show that I didn't know we needed so badly." The father-daughter acting duo reunited on the big screen in 2023'sWildcat, with Ethan as director and Maya portraying Southern gothic writer Flannery O'Connor. Paramount/courtesy everett (2) Following her 2000 Oscar win forGirl, Interrupted,Angelina Joliestepped into the cargo shorts of video game heroine Lara Croft in the 2001 film adaptation ofLara Croft: Tomb Raider. The Hollywood newcomer and her father, industry legendJon Voight, teamed up, with Voight taking on the role of Lord Richard Croft — Lara's missing father — whose disappearance is central to the story. In an interview with60 Minutes Australiaat the time, Voight said of his daughter, "I think Angie is a very vibrant and strong personality," adding, "She's got 'that thing.' " The success ofTomb Raiderand its 2003 sequel,The Cradle of Life, catapulted Jolie from an indie darling to an action superstar in 2021 films such asThe EternalsandThose Who Wish Me Dead. John P. Fleenor/Netflix Rob Loweand his son,John Owen Lowe, debuted their workplace comedyUnstableon Netflix in 2023. Created and produced by the two, the show took some cues (and jokes) from thefather-son duo's relationship IRL. Running for two seasons, the off-kilter series centered on fictional billionaire Ellis Dragon (Rob), a narcissistic biotech entrepreneur whose mental health spirals after the loss of his wife. To help his struggling father, his socially awkward son, Jackson (John Owen), steps in to assist with the company and reconnect with his dad. "It's a dream, personally and professionally," Rob told PEOPLE in 2024. "You want your kids to succeed, and the notion of Johnny producing, writing, starring in [Unstable] at 28, is fantastic." Shout! Studios Maya is no stranger to starring in films with her parents, including 2023'sThe Kill Roomwith her superstar mother, Thurman. The comedy thriller follows art dealer Patrice (Thurman), who uses her gallery to launder money for a criminal organization. However, when the fabricated artist persona created for the hitman unexpectedly becomes a sensation in the art world, causing chaos and jealousy in aspiring artists like the character Maya portrays in the indie flick. "I'm so excited for people to get to see my mom be funny," MayatoldVarietyin 2023. "In the last couple of years, she's done independent comedies that, for whatever reason, haven't seen the light of day.She's the funniest person I know." Margaret Qualleygot toact alongside her mom, actressAndie MacDowell, in Netflix's Emmy- andGolden Globe-nominated miniseriesMaid. The story follows Alex (Qualley), a struggling single mother who becomes a housecleaner to make a better life for herself and her child (Rylea Nevaeh Whittet) — all while navigating difficult relationships with her abusive ex (Nick Robinson) and mother Paula (MacDowell), who struggles with bipolar disorder. Casting her real-life mom was reportedly Qualley's idea,telling Colliderin 2021, "It's the biggest cheat I've ever managed to pull off." "It was one of the more surreal experiences of my life," Qualley said of their time together on-screen. "Across the board, there's the comfort of having your mom in the same place when you're in the middle of a pandemic, and you're away from home for nine months." She continued, "Then there's my mom's whole body of work, which I'm in complete awe of and couldn't look up to her more. And then there's this thing where you walk into the room, and your mom is playing your mom, and that definitely shifts the situation." Related:Andie MacDowell Says She's Experiencing 'Reverse Nepotism' Thanks to Daughter Margaret Qualley: 'I'm Now Cool' Marvel'sThor: Love and Thunderwas a bit of a family affair. Not only do Hemsworth's kids appear in the film as younger versions of himself and the daughter of his enemy, but costarsChristian BaleandNatalie Portmanand directorTaika Waititilet their kidsjoin in on the funas well. In the MCU film, Waititi's tykes Te Kainga O'Te Hinekahu and Matewa Kiritapu play Asgardian children. "I always encourage people to have their kids around because it's just a cool environment, and it chills the crew out," Waititi told PEOPLE in 2022. "And I always want work like that." Hemsworth added, "Anyone who had kids in the cast had their kids on the set." (Fun fact: All of their kids inspired the "cool" monsters in the film!) Thandiwe Newtonand lookalike daughterNico Parkerteamed up in the 2021 filmReminiscence. However, Parker — who made her debut in the 2019 live-action remake ofDumbo— made it clear that she doesn't always turn to her famous parents (her dad is writer-director Ol Parker) for acting advice. "Anything that they've tried to instill in me as a person, ways to behave and not to behave or how to treat others — all of that, I think you just take it on board and let it flourish in you however it will," Parker told PEOPLE in 2024. "And so a lot of that,I've definitely taken and used in a work setting, but it's never specific to that." In 2023, Parker starred on the hit HBO seriesThe Last of Usbefore joining the cast of the 2025 live-action film adaptationHow to Train Your Dragon. Newton — whowon her first Emmyin 2018 for her performance on HBO'sWestworld —will have a recurring guest role onseason 2 of Netflix'sWednesday. ​​As if being the children of an original Avenger weren't enough of a head start,all three of Hemsworth's kids— whom she shares with wifeElsa Pataky— appeared on-screen with their father, the God of Thunder, in the fourth installment of theThorfilm franchise. One of his twins, Tristan, played a younger version of Thor, while his daughter India played the offspring of the villainous Gorr the God Butcher, portrayed by Bale. His other son, Sasha, had a small cameo as an Asgardian child. "It's really cool.They really wanted to be in it," Hemsworthtold entertainment reporter Kevin McCarthyin 2022. All three also appeared with their dad on the 2022 Disney+ docuseries from National Geographic,Limitless with Chris Hemsworth.India reunited with her superhero father on the big screen in 2024'sFuriosa: A Mad Max Saga, in which she played an unnamed girl while Hemsworthportrayed the movie's villain, Dr. Dementus, oppositeAnya Taylor-Joyas young Furiosa. ThoughKate Hudsonhas never been in a movie with her famous mom,Goldie Hawn, shehasdone so with her "Pa,"Kurt Russell, in 2016'sDeepwater Horizon. During an appearance onThe Ellen DeGeneres Show, Hudson told hostEllen DeGeneresthat despite their time together in the film being short, she loved working with Russell. "I was back on set with my dad, and it reminded me of being a little kid, and where I fell in love with movies and how much time I spent on movie sets with him," Hudson said. "There was something really beautifully wistful about being on that set with my dad." ​Before collaborating inDeepwater Horizon, Hudson and Russell worked together in 2007 when theAlmost Famousactress made her directorial debut with the short filmCutlass, starring Russell. Related:All About Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn's 4 Kids When Jolie played the villainous titular character of Disney'sMaleficent, she wasn't planning on having any ofher childrenmake a cameo in the 2014 fantasy film. However, finding young actors who were not afraid of the dark elf proved challenging during filming. Enter daughterVivienne Jolie-Pittto the rescue, who made her big screen debut in the movie as baby Princess Aurora because "the other 3- and 4-year-old [performers] wouldn't come near me," JolietoldEntertainment Weeklyat the time. "It had to be a child that liked me and wasn't afraid of my horns, and my eyes and my claws.So it had to be Viv," she added. In 2015'sRicki and the Flash,Meryl Streepstarred alongside her daughter,Mamie Gummer, as a mother-daughter pair with a strained relationship. Directed byJonathan Demmeand written byDiablo Cody, the dramedy follows an absent mother who abandoned her family topursue her rockstar dreamsbut returns years later to make good with her estranged daughter. It was Streep's idea for her to join the film. "I was over at her house, and she handed me the script to read, just like, 'This is what I'm doing next, let me know what you think of it,' " Gummertold IndieWire. Gummer continued, recalling her mother's insistence, " 'It's really good, Diablo Cody wrote it.' I'm like, 'F---, that's amazing. But, again, I'll read it later,' and she's like, 'I really think that you should read it now.' " Ricki and the Flashwas not the first time Gummer appeared on-screen with her mom — she played Streep's baby in the 1986 movieHeartburn.Then, in her early 20s, Gummer played a younger version of Streep in 2007'sEvening. On season 4 ofCobra Kai,Julia Macchioappears on episode 8 alongside her father,Ralph Macchio, marking the first time the father-daughter duo shared the screen. While Ralph is known forplaying Daniel LaRussoinThe Karate Kidfilms and on Netflix's sequel series adaptationCobra Kai, Julia joins the franchise as Daniel's cousin Vanessa LaRusso, who gives him and his wife Amanda (Courtney Henggeler) a quick lesson in parenting. "She knocked it out of the park," Ralph told PEOPLE in 2022. "I was the proud father on set that day. As soon as she ran our first take, everybody was like, 'Holy crap, she's got this character.' " Julia's Vanessa became a recurring character, continuing to deliver truth bombs to the LaRusso clan. BeforeWill Smithacted alongside sonJaden Smithin the 2006 filmThe Pursuit of Happyness,the rapper-turned-actor cast him in another role that was a little out of this world. Before the wunderkind made critics and audiences sob with his performance as Christopher inHappyness,Jaden had a small cameo role in 2002'sMen in Black II, starring Will. However, it was inThe Pursuit of Happynessthat Jaden really shined. As the son of down-and-out single father Chris Gardner (Will), Jaden had to prove to filmmakers he was right for the role as a young child. In his 2021 memoir,Will, the Oscar winner recounted how Jaden held his own. "The studio simply didn't want the problems that came along with casting him. But audition after audition, in all his innocent, 6-year-old glory, he proved himself the right actor for the role," Will wrote,per Business Insider. During an appearance onThe Ellen DeGeneres Showin 2012, Jaden said of working with his father, "It was hard, but fun," adding, "My dad gave me advice ... You have to be in the moment." The pair would later star in the 2013 sci-fi flickAfter Earth, again playing father and son. DaughterWillow Smithhas also appeared on the big screen with Will in 2007'sI Am Legend, portraying his daughter, Sarah. Related:Will Smith's 3 Children: All About Jaden, Willow and Trey Robin Williamsshared the screen with daughterZelda Williamsin the 2004 dramaHouse of D. Written, directed and starringDavid Duchovny, the film follows an artist with a difficult childhood whose best friend — a janitor with developmental disabilities — is played by Robin. The lateAnton Yelchinportrayed the younger version of the main character, Tommy, while Zelda played Melissa, the object of his affection. Sinceher father's deathin 2014due to an apparent suicide, Zelda has made a name for herself both in front of and behind the camera, naming her father as a source of inspiration for her entertainment career. "I was fascinated by it early," ZeldatoldEntertainment Tonightin 2024, recalling how she followed her dad around on set. "When you're that young, I don't think you grasp that it's a job, really; just like a fun thing you go and visit." In addition to working on animated shows such asTeenage Mutant Ninja TurtlesandThe Legend of Korraand the hit seriesJane the Virgin,Zeldamade her feature-length directorial debutwith 2024'sLisa Frankenstein.The coming-of-age comedy is a modern revamp of theFrankensteinstory, withKathryn NewtonandCole Sprouseas leads. Noah Wyle's daughterAuden Wylemade a cameo on season 1 of the Amazon Freevee seriesLeverage: Redemption— and so did Noah's wife, Sara Wyle. "That to me was one of the highlights of the season:I got to work with my own daughter," Noahtold TV Insiderin 2021. Season 3 of the crime thriller will premiere on Prime Video, beginning on April 17, 2025,per Deadline. Nicole Weingart/NBC/Getty Before they collaborated onLopez vs. Lopezin 2022,Mayan Lopezhad some experience working with her comedian father,George Lopez. When she was younger, Mayan had a couple of cameos on her father's eponymous sitcom,George Lopez, usually in the background as an adorable little kid in a group scene. In 2008, she had a part as Yvette in George's movieMr. Troop Mom. OnLopez vs. Lopez,the pair play a fictionalized version of themselves. The dramedy follows the story of a daughter attempting to reconcile with her father after a long estrangement. Though the show ended in 2025, it had a lasting effect on the duo, forever changing their bond. "Even with the finale, we had a very emotional scene, and even just thinking that at the beginning of the beginning, we were still figuring it out," she told PEOPLE in 2023. "We couldn't have done what we did at the end. Soit's a full metamorphosis of our relationship." Sean Pennand daughterDylan Frances Penn— whom he shares withThe Princess BridestarRobin Wright— acted together in the 2021 film adaptationFlag Day. Dylan told PEOPLE that working on the movie, directed by her Oscar-winning father, was a therapeutic experience. "For me,it was equal to doing family therapyin a room full of strangers," she said, adding, "I've done family therapy, but I've never done it with a crew that I didn't know." AftertellingVoguethat Sean knew she was perfect for the role and saw "[her] face in the character," Dylan later revealed to PEOPLE that her mom persuaded her to take the part. "She very simply said, 'I've never worked with a better directorthan your dad. It was the most amazing experience I've ever had as an actor,' " Dylan said. "So I trusted that." Jaimie Trueblood/Disney Channel via Getty Billy Ray Cyrusstarred alongside his daughterMiley Cyruson the Disney Channel seriesHannah Montanafrom 2006 until 2011.Billy Ray played a character aptly named Robby Ray, the father of Miley Stewart and her brother Jackson (Jason Earles) ... and occasionally his own twin, Bobby Ray. "Without my dad, I know — I mean, not just literally, I wouldn't be sitting in this chair, I wouldn't exist — but I would not, who I am as a person, it wouldn't exist," the "Flowers" singertoldThe Hollywood Reporterin 2024. Pop TV Eugene Levyand lookalike sonDan Levyplayed the hilarious father-son pairingof Johnny and David Rose on the Emmy-winning seriesSchitt's Creek. As down-and-out former millionaires adjusting to small-town life, the two earned international acclaim and accolades for the sitcom they co-created, starred in and wrote. "You have to really respect the person you're working with, and I think when you do, it makes for a very easy go of things," DantoldTodayin 2021 of conceiving the show with his father. "I have so long admired what my dad had done … I think he really let me have space to find my own footing." Dan added that he learned a very important lesson from his dad: "I think what I learned from him, just from a comedy standpoint, is that … there's so much generosity, I think, to great comedy. You have to just give people space. There's just such a joy in knowing that you have each other's back." For Eugene, it was just a dream come true, telling PEOPLE, "I never get over the fact thatI'm actually on set with my kids." In 1996,Demi Moore's daughterRumer Willis— whom sheshares with ex-husbandand actorBruce Willis— played her fictional child in the 1996 filmStriptease,about a mother who turns to exotic dancing to pay her bills. "Well, she [Rumer] asked to have the opportunity to audition, so after much discussion with my husband, I went and asked them if they would be willing to let her try because she wanted it so badly," Moore told CNN at the time (viaHello!). She added that there was no shame in her daughter watching her portray a stripper: "We don't shame the body; we encourage the body as something beautiful and natural, and my children bathe with me, and I walk around naked." Moore latertackled this societal obsession with ageismand body image in 2024's acclaimed psychological horror film,The Substance, which sees her character, Elisabeth Sparkle, turn to a black-market drug to create a better, more youthful version of herself. In 2025, Rumer opened up on theWhat in the Winkler?!podcast about co-sleeping with her mom and daughter,Louetta, and revealed that she and sistersTallulah WillisandScout Willis"all still take baths together." "Honestly, I hope Lou will, like, still sleep in bed with me when she's my age," Rumer said, adding, "I still sleep in bed with my mom, and I don't think it's weird." Rumer continued, "That's just the kind of house that I grew up in." One ofLily-Rose Depp's first acting credits was a minor role in 2014'sTusk, featuring her famous dad,Johnny Depp. In 2016, she got a more substantial role alongside him inKevin Smith'sYoga Hosers. When asked if she would ever act with her father again, shetoldEntertainment Tonightin 2021, "Never say never," but added that making it a family affair isn't her priority when auditioning. "That's really not something that I consider first and foremost; what's interesting to me is the particular character that I may or may not be playing and then the story that it's telling and everything," she said. "I think when the cast then starts to fill that story out and everything, those are other things to consider. But yeah, I mean, I love to work with great actors." True to her word, Lily-Rose continued to work with notable talent on-screen, namely Oscar-winning actressDa'Vine Joy Randolphon HBO'sThe Idol.She also had a lead role in 2024'sNosferatu, withNicholas Hoult,Willem Dafoe,Bill Skarsgård,Aaron Taylor-JohnsonandEmma Corrinrounding out the cast. Related:Johnny Depp's 2 Kids: All About Lily-Rose and Jack Jane Fondawas able to act alongside her revered dad,Henry Fonda, in the 1981 filmOn Golden Pond. "I feel so blessed to have been able to have that experience," Jane said during a segment ofPiers Morgan Tonighton CNN in 2011. "He died five months later. I bought the play and made the movie because I wanted to work with him — we knew he was dying." Thebeloved actress and intersectional activistcontinued, "To have found a play in which the father/daughter characters so mirrored our own real-life relationship was amazing. To have been able to say those words to him and to have the resolution at the end of the movie ... I just feel so lucky. I miss him so much." The pair became the first father-daughter duo nominated for an Academy Award, with Henryearning Best Actor. Jane accepted the statuette on his behalf, with the Oscars sharing the moment on theirofficial YouTube account. On the30 Rockepisode "Mazel Tov, Dummies!" from season 7, a flashback scene featuringTina Fey's Liz Lemon offers audiences a sneak peek of the opinionated writer when she was a 7-year-old kid. To sell the scene, Fey cast her mini-me daughterAlice Richmond, a dead ringer for her mom. Fey revealed during aninterview onConanin 2011 that Alice is actually the source of some of the show's funniest lines, telling former late-night hostConan O'Brienthat she would giveTracy Morgan's character, Tracy Jordan, a few of Alice's childish ramblings to say because it perfectly fit his character, "especially when she was smaller." "You're never cool [to your kids]," Fey told PEOPLE in 2024. "No, you're never cool, and you shouldn't try to be. Just let it happen!" E. Charbonneau/WireImage When your dad isprolific filmmakerClint Eastwood, movies are practicallyembedded into your DNA. Scott Eastwoodhas appeared in a few of his father's films, includingFlags of Our Fathers(2006),Gran Torino(2008) andInvictus(2009), as well asTrouble with the Curve (2012), which wasn't directed by Clint but starred the screen legend. In 2024, Scott told PEOPLE the advice Clint gave him when he decided to pursue an acting career. "Follow your gut," Scott recalled his dad telling him. He previouslytoldEsquirein 2016 of Clint, "I've tried to take every opportunity I can to learn from him ... Every chance I get, I'm trying to be on set with him." Martin Sheenand his youngest son,Charlie Sheen, have worked together on several projects, with the two first sharing the screen in 1974'sThe Execution of Private Slovik. A young Charlie had an uncredited bit part as a boy at a wedding. Charlie's next part was more substantial as the lead in 1987'sWall Street.Martin played his father, Carl Fox, a union leader at odds with his stockbroker son. In the following years, the pair acted alongside each other inCadence(1990),Hot Shots! Part Deux(1993) andNo Code of Conduct(1998), as well as on series such asSpin City,The West Wing,Two and a Half MenandAnger Management. Related:Martin Sheen's 4 Children: Emilio, Ramon, Charlie and Renée Sylvester Stallone'seldest son,Sage Moonblood Stallone, appeared alongside his father in 1990'sRockyVwhen he portrayed Rocky's son, Robert "Rocky Jr." Balboa. Thefather-son relationshipis a side story in the sports drama as Rocky neglects his son while training an up-and-coming boxer. The film ends with the two of them reconciling and climbing the iconic "Rocky Steps" together. Sage told PEOPLE in 1996 that his father helped him deal with issues caused by his newfound fame. "To tell you the truth,I was turning into a little spoiled bratafterRocky V," Sage said. "I was 15 years old, and I thought I was a big shot, like, 'Ay, alright, let's hit the bars, baby.' Trust me, old Daddy, put a stop to that real quick." Sagetragically died at 36due to coronary artery disease atherosclerosis in 2012. Sharing his craft for acting doesn't just extend to Charlie, Martin has also appeared on-screen with his eldest son,Emilio Estevez. The pair starred together in the 2010 filmThe Way,which Estevez wrote and directed. Martin plays the role of Dr. Thomas Avery, a man grieving the loss of his son Daniel — played by Estevez in flashbacks — while walking the Camino de Santiago, a historic Christian pilgrimage route. In ajoint interview with travel writerRick Steves in 2023, Estevez explained why it was important that his father play the role. "I think with this, it was not only to create a wonderful role for you and to remind the world what an extraordinary actor you are," Estevez said. "I wanted to write something that he would be celebrated." By the time 15-year-oldKeifer Sutherlandmade his film debut in 1983'sMax Dugan Returnswith his father,Donald Sutherlandwas already an established and respected actor, with standout performances onMASHand in 1971'sKluteand 1980'sOrdinary People. Though the two would later be cast in 1996'sA Time To Kill,it would take more than a decade before they appeared in a scene together in the 2015 period filmForsaken. "We'd been in one movie together,A Time to Kill, but we had never actually exchanged a line of dialogue together," Kiefer said during aninterview onGood Morning Americain 2016. " I've watched him my whole life, and to have the opportunity to work with him was something I've wanted my whole career." Kiefer added, "The experience is something I will never forget. It was the most time I've actually spent with my father at one time in my life. It's a memory and an experience I'll treasure the rest of my life." Donalddied at age 88in 2024. After Donald's agent confirmed the news, Kiefer posted a black-and-white photo of his fatheron X(formerly Twitter), along with this heartfelt message: "I personally think one of the most important actors in the history of film. Never daunted by a role, good, bad or ugly.He loved what he didand did what he loved, and one can never ask for more than that. A life well lived. Would these two say working together is magic? Irish actorsBrendan Gleesonand his sonDomhnall Gleesonboth have parts in theHarry Potterfilm franchise: Brendan plays Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher Alastor "Mad-Eye" Moody, while his red-headed sonplays the eldest Weasley child, Bill. Although both made their franchise debut in 2005'sHarry Potter and the Goblet of Fire, they didn't have any scenes together. It wasn't until 2010, when the two starred inHarry Potter and Deathly Hallows, Part I, that the father-son duo shared a scene in the film series. Domhnall has credited his father for helping inspire his move into acting. "I was interested in writing and directing," hetoldGQin 2018. "That's what I went to college for, but I think I've become better at acting than I am at either of those two things. My father is an incredible actor, and in a way, it made me realize it was possible." Related:Father and Son Acting Duos (& Trios) Who Have Worked Together Moviestore/Shutterstock Judd Apatowbelieves strongly inmixing family with business. In addition to casting his wife,Leslie Mann, in a bevy of comedic roles for many of his projects, he has also cast his daughters,Maude and Iris. The mother-daughter acting trio appeared inKnocked Up(2007),Funny People(2009),This Is 40(2012) andThe Bubble(2022) — though Maude is uncredited in the film. "A lot of the time, I don't think she knew there was a camera rolling," Apatow told PEOPLE in 2022 aboutworking with Maudewhen she was younger. "I would sit her next to her sister, and I would just say some key phrase, and then they would just start fighting." The directortoldThe Wall Street Journalthat same year, "Part of the fun of working with your family is that you don't have to work with other people's children. I also always felt that if you had kids in the movie, it felt much more credible when they were someone's actual children." Read the original article onPeople

byLiam Oneel

in

June 22, 2025

34 Celebrities Who Shared the Screen with Their Children (Including Tina Fey and Adam Sandler)

34 Celebrities Who Shared the Screen with Their Children (Including Tina Fey and Adam Sandler) Courtesy Oscilloscope When finding the perfec...

Read More