People talk 12/17/03

Connery adds voice to cry of hungry in ad

Adding his voice to a campaign against global hunger, Sean Connery is to appear in a holiday-season television ad to promote the work of a United Nations food agency. In the commercial for the World Food Program, the Scottish-born actor delivers a message following footage that shows how the agency sends food to hungry people in remote areas around the world. The food agency programs reach some 110 million people in 82 countries.

Housekeeper convicted for 'Beverly Hills' theft

LOS ANGELES -- A housekeeper convicted of stealing jewelry, cell phones and clothes from "Beverly Hills, 90210" co-star Ian Ziering was sentenced to a year in county jail and three years probation. Gloria Lopez, 48, was convicted Aug. 15 of grand theft from Ziering's home and petty theft for stealing a cell phone from one of Ziering's friends. A state court judge ordered Lopez, who had worked for the actor for about 1 1/2 years, "not to work in any private homes until further order of the court."

Improv role at dinner gets attention for Ritter

LOS ANGELES -- One of John Ritter's last movie roles was a dinner with friends. Ritter, who died in September, spent 12 hours with friends Straw Weisman and Andy Goldberg two years ago to make the improvised dramatic-comedy "Man of the Year." After playing the festival circuit, the film is now playing in one theater in Los Angeles and may play a few other limited engagements in coming months, Weisman said. The movie -- shot on July 27, 2001, with 25 actors, 70 crew members, 20 digital cameras and no script -- stars Ritter as a wealthy honoree at a dinner party that leads to the unraveling of his life.

Judd sentenced to community service

NASHVILLE, Tenn. -- Country singer Wynonna Judd will lose her driver's license for one year and must perform 200 hours of community service after she pleaded guilty Tuesday to drunken driving. Judd was charged last month after a city police officer stopped her speeding Land Rover close to Music Row. She received an 11-month, 29-day suspended sentence, during which time she will be on probation.

-- From wire reports