Woman sues rocker for daughter's death

LOS ANGELES -- The mother of a woman who died in a car crash last year has sued Marilyn Manson for wrongful death, alleging that the musician gave the woman drugs before the accident.

The lawsuit, filed Tuesday in Superior Court, claims that Manson was negligent in "instructing the woman to operate a motor vehicle in her incapacitated condition." Maria St. John is seeking unspecified damages and attorney fees.

Manson's representatives could not be reached for comment early Wednesday.

The lawsuit alleges that St. John's daughter, 28-year-old Jennifer Syme, was with the singer, whose real name is Brian Warner, and other unnamed defendants last April. Manson allegedly gave Syme drugs before she was dropped off at her home. She got into her car, with the intent of returning to Manson's home, according to the lawsuit.

Syme, an actress and former girlfriend of actor Keanu Reeves, later crashed into at least three parked cars and was thrown from her car. She died at the scene.

Minnelli stepmother claims elder abuse

LOS ANGELES -- Liza Minnelli's 94-year-old stepmother has sued her for elder abuse and breach of contract, claiming the performer has neglected her.

The lawsuit filed Tuesday in Superior Court claims that Lee Anderson Minnelli was guaranteed housing in the will of her late husband, Vincente Minnelli. Liza Minnelli, his daughter with Judy Garland, sold the Beverly Hills home and "has instructed her representatives to remove Lee by whatever means necessary," according to the lawsuit.

Representatives for the singer could not be reached for comment early Wednesday.

The lawsuit also claims that Liza Minnelli failed to comply with an agreement to keep the home in habitable condition. The electricity was shut off March 27 and the gardener and pool man also have been fired, the lawsuit alleges.

Firefighter chaplain subject of biography

NEW YORK -- The Rev. Mychal Judge, the New York City Fire Department chaplain killed in the Sept. 11 attacks, will be the subject of a biography coming out next fall from the Paulist Press, a nonprofit religious publisher.

"Father Mychal Judge: An Authentic American Hero" is being written by BBC religion reporter Michael Ford, whose work the 68-year-old chaplain admired.

"I believe this priest's remarkable story will bring hope to many, inspiring them to care compassionately for others, especially those on the margins," Ford said in a statement Tuesday. He is the author of "Wounded Prophet," a biography of the spiritual writer Henri Nouwen that Judge reportedly read and to which he related deeply.

Actress revels in 'Rookie' role; more able to love

LOS ANGELES -- Rachel Griffiths enjoyed taking a break from her character on HBO's quirky "Six Feet Under" series to play a Texas housewife in the new film "The Rookie."

"I really enjoyed playing a character in 'The Rookie' that has such a clear capacity to love," Griffiths told reporters.

Griffiths won a supporting actress Golden Globe this year for her role as Brenda Chenowith in the HBO series.

"I figured I left my 'Brenda baggage' at LAX and I arrived in Austin a much more simple person," she said. "To play something so clear was really great after playing something so complex."

Dennis Quaid stars in "The Rookie," the real-life story of Jim Morris, a science teacher in his mid-30s who finally achieved his life's goal of pitching in the major leagues. Griffiths co-stars as Morris' wife, Lorri.

'Laugh-In' gets sidewalk star on Walk of Fame

LOS ANGELES -- "Laugh-In" hosts Dick Martin and the late Dan Rowan have received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame for their irreverent 1960s variety show, famous for its non sequiturs and psychedelic shtick.

Martin accepted the honor at the Hollywood Boulevard ceremony on Tuesday; Rowan died in 1987 at age 65.

A precursor to "Saturday Night Live," "Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In" made stars out of Lily Tomlin, Goldie Hawn and Henry Gibson and introduced such catch phrases as "Sock it to me!" and "You bet your sweet bippy."

Rowan was the straight man to daffy Martin on the sketch comedy show, which aired on NBC from 1968-73.

--From wire reports