People talk 12/29/03

Hiding tears, Mirren invested as a dame

LOS ANGELES -- Golden Globe nominee Helen Mirren said embarrassment drives her to tears, and she almost broke down recently at Buckingham Palace when she was given the title of dame. Mirren has been in London for the past few months appearing in Eugene O'Neill's "Mourning Becomes Elektra." Her stint in London kept her from the Los Angeles premiere of her latest film, "Calendar Girls," which opened nationally Dec. 19. Her role has earned her a Golden Globe nomination for best actress in a comedy or musical.

Regular-guy Reno recalls filming 'Black Stallion'

PUEBLO, Colo. -- At age 11, Kelly Reno played a freckle-faced boy in "The Black Stallion." At 37, he's a 6-foot-tall, mustachioed truck driver who describes himself as "just a normal guy." He has survived a serious traffic accident, gone through a divorce and given up ranching since he played Alec in the 1979 film. He reprised the role in the 1983 sequel "The Black Stallion Returns," and later appeared in a handful of other movie and TV roles.

Ferret owners hope their pets will be legalized

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- Thanks to Arnold Schwarzenegger, there could be hope yet for ferrets, banned as pets in California for 70 years on fears they might weasel their way into the wild and ravage populations of ground-dwelling birds. Some ferret owners believe the new governor, who worked with a ferret in "Kindergarten Cop," will sign legislation legalizing the animals.

Pastor to replace Willie Aames as 'Bibleman'

ROSEVILLE, Calif. -- A California pastor will replace "Eight is Enough" television actor Willie Aames as the next "Bibleman," a comic book-style action hero who quotes Scripture to children in a touring ministry. Aames is stepping down after eight years in the role to spend more time with his family. Robert T. Schlipp will assume the role next spring. He'll be joined by his wife, Anayansi Schlipp, who will portray Biblegirl.

-- From wire reports

It can take Schlipp an hour to struggle into his 32-pound plastic and spandex costume, which includes a belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and sword of the spirit. "Everything Bibleman wears has a meaning," said Schlipp, 28, though he acknowledges "it's hard to take someone seriously when they're wearing spandex."

-- From wire reports