People news 3/1/03

Channing to wed childhood sweetheart

NEW YORK -- Carol Channing is getting married again -- to her childhood sweetheart from 70 years ago.

The 82-year-old singer-actress said Harry Kullijian, with whom she grew up in San Francisco, tracked her down after reading about himself in her memoirs. Kullijian had been trying to reach her for 60 years, she said, and a mutual friend gave him her phone number.

"Since our spouses have both passed away, we were able to get together again, renew our love, and would like to announce our engagement," Channing said Thursday. "There are no immediate plans for a wedding date, but this is the happiest moment of my life."

Kullijian, 82, is a co-owner of the Mervyn's department store chain.

Channing, who starred on Broadway in "Hello, Dolly!" and "Gentlemen Prefer Blondes," has been married three times before. Her first two marriages ended in divorce; her third husband, to whom she was married for 42 years, died in 1999.

Eye infection puts Letterman on sidelinesNEW YORK -- The eye infection that has kept David Letterman from hosting his "Late Show" this week was caused by shingles, his doctor said.

The condition is a viral infection of the nerve roots that typically results in pain and rash. It's caused by the same virus that causes chickenpox.

"Tests have shown that Dave's eye infection is a result of shingles," Dr. Louis J. Aronne, an internist at New York Presbyterian Hospital, said Thursday. "It has been treated and the area of inflammation has gone down significantly. Dave is on his way to a full recovery."

Except for when he missed time after a heart bypass operation, this is the first time Letterman, 53, has called in sick in 20 years, a representative for the CBS show said.

Bass player mourned by family, friends

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Country singer Carlene Carter said her longtime boyfriend, Howie Epstein, will be remembered for "many years of great memories, music and laughter."

Epstein, a former bass player for Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers, died Sunday in Santa Fe, N.M., of what authorities suspect was a drug overdose. He was 47.

"My heart's only hope is that he's found peace and joy, and his soul is flying free," Carter said Thursday.

Epstein was a respected musician and producer for more than 20 years. In addition to his work with Petty, he played on some of Bob Dylan's albums in the 1980s and produced a Grammy-winning album for folk singer-songwriter John Prine.

He was Carter's longtime boyfriend, producing two of her albums, one of which was nominated for a Grammy.

-- From wire reports