Grapevine: James Brown’s daughter dies

James Brown’s daughter dies

Venisha Brown, daughter of the late Godfather of Soul James Brown, died Wednesday from complications of pneumonia at AU Health Medical Center in Augusta, Georgia, according to the James Brown Family Foundation. She was 53. Like her father, Brown was a singer and songwriter, and active in the foundation. Funeral arrangements are pending. Brown is remembered, the Associated Press reported, as “one who fully embodied the dance moves of her father.” The elder Brown died on Christmas Day, 2006.  

Judge limits Cosby accusers

Onetime funny guy Bill Cosby will not face a huge gauntlet of new accusers at his upcoming sentencing, according to the judge handling the trial. Cosby, 81, was convicted on three counts of aggravated indecent assault for drugging and molesting Andrea Constand in 2004. Each count carries 10 years. Five other women, including retired supermodel Janice Dickinson, testified at Cosby’s retrial that he assaulted them, as the prosecution sought to prove Constand’s experience wasn’t an isolated incident. Some 60 other women have accused Cosby of various sexual crimes, but Page Six reports only the five who previously gave testimony will be allowed to read statements at sentencing.

DeVito saved Michael Douglas’ life

Danny DeVito revealed recently on “The Voice” that he once saved actor Michael Douglas’ life while filming 1984’s “Romancing the Stone” in a rugged part of Mexico. Douglas, now 73, picked up a snake, and “Wack!” DeVito recalled, “the snake bites him on the hand. I overheard that the best thing to do is you suck the poison out right away. So I did,” followed, he added, by much vigorous spitting. According to Page Six, DeVito, also now 73, told his co-star it was a good thing the snake didn’t bite him on his privates. “You’d be a dead man!” he assured Douglas.

Redford regrets announcing retirement

Sandy-haired heartthrob Robert Redford told People he wishes he hadn’t said he was retiring from Hollywood after completing his just-released film from FOX Searchlight, “The Old Man & the Gun.” At the film’s New York premiere Thursday, Redford said, “I think it was a mistake, because you never know.” The 83-year-old also thinks the announcement “draws attention away from the film,” which won a 91 percent positive rating from the online Rotten Tomatoes.

Jane Fonda smacks Louis C.K. and Charlie Rose

Jane Fonda has a few sharp words for fallen stars like Louis C.K., 51, and 76-year-old Charlie Rose, London’s Daily Mail reports. Both men were brought down by #MeToo allegations, and appear to be trying to make quick comebacks on the public stage. “Sweep the floor at Starbucks until you learn!” Fonda snapped. The “Klute” star was in New York promoting her new HBO documentary, “Jane Fonda in Five Acts.” In August, Louis C.K. surprised everyone by doing standup at New York’s Comedy Cellar. Meantime, Rose is reportedly planning a TV show in which he will interview other men implicated in #MeToo scandals. You heard it here first.

mhodges@detroitnews.com

Saturday’s birthdays

Cody Veith, 16

Billie Piper, 36

Andrea Bocelli, 60