Category: 5. Entertainment

Birthday wishes go out to Wiz Khalifa, David Arquette and all the other celebrities with birthdays today. Check out our slideshow below to see photos of famous people turning a year older on September 8th and learn an interesting fact about each of them.

Top celebrity birthdays on September 8, 2025

Actress Brooke Burke turns 54

Fun fact: Her middle name is Lisa.

Actor Martin Freeman turns 54

Fun fact: Has two children, Grace and Joe.

Actor David Arquette turns 54

Fun fact: Portrayed businessman Barry Keenan in the 2003 film “Stealing Sinatra.”

Singer Pink turns 46

Fun fact: Has been married to former motocross racer Carey Hart since 2006.

Rapper Wiz Khalifa turns 38

Fun fact: Appeared as a panelist on “Hollywood Squares” earlier this year.

More celebrities with birthdays today

Ventriloquist Willie Tyler (with Lester) is 85. Actor Alan Feinstein is 84. Singer Sal Valentino of The Beau Brummels is 83. Bassist Will Lee of the CBS Orchestra (“Late Show with David Letterman”) is 73. Actor Heather Thomas (“The Fall Guy”) is 68. Singer Aimee Mann is 65. Bassist David Steele of Fine Young Cannibals is 65. Actor Thomas Kretschmann (“The Pianist”) is 63. Singer Marc Gordon of Levert is 61. Gospel singer Darlene Zschech is 60. Singer Neko Case is 55. TV personality Kennedy is 53. Drummer Richard Hughes of Keane is 50. Actor Larenz Tate is 50. Actor Nathan Corddry (“Mom”) is 48. Singer-songwriter Eric Hutchinson is 45. Actor Jonathan Taylor Thomas (“Home Improvement”) is 44. Actor Gaten Matarazzo (“Stranger Things”) is 23.

Other popular or historical birthdays on September 8th

• Richard the Lion Hearted, English King
• Max Reinhardt, director
• Sid Caesar, comedian
• Peter Sellers, actor
• Patsy Cline, country singer

with The Associated Press

Celebrity fun facts

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Movie and TV fun facts & more

Recent lists: 19 actors recast in the MCU | ‘How I Met Your Mother’ guest stars | ‘Groundhog Day’ fun facts | ‘Yellowstone’ trivia

Popular lists: Canadian celebrities | ‘Friends’ guest stars | Celebs on ‘The Office’

Check out our rundown of more than 30 posts featuring trivia and fun facts about movies and TV shows.

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Junji Sakamoto’s Climbing for Life has been set as the opening night film for the 38th Tokyo International Film Festival.

Climbing for Life will screen on Oct. 27. The epic biopic tells the story of the late legendary Japanese female mountaineer Junko Tabei, the first woman to ascend Mount Everest, and the first woman to complete the Seven Summits challenge, climbing the highest peak on every continent. Climbing for Life‘s release coincides with the 50th anniversary of Tabei summiting Everest, an event which captivated the world and made her a national hero in Japan.

Fittingly, Tabei is played by beloved Japanese actress Sayuri Yoshinaga, the winner of four best actress awards from the Japanese Academy, the most of any artist. The cast also includes Koichi Sato, Yuki Amami and Non (Rena Nōnen) playing a younger version of Tabei.

The screenplay was written by Riko Sakaguchi, based on the late Tabei’s memoir My Mountain Life – Up And Down. The feature is the 31st from the veteran filmmaker Sakamoto (Tekken, Another World, KT, Zatoichi: The Last) who also directed Yoshinaga in A Chorus of Angels.

“It is a true honor for our film to be selected as the opening film of the 38th TIFF,” Sakamoto said in a statement. “Although the production process of filmmaking has been dramatically altered in the digital era, the joy of sharing a film with audiences on the big screen and masterful sound design remains timeless. This film also stands as a testament to the enduring talent of Sayuri Yoshinaga, a national treasure who has graced the pinnacle of stardom for generations. I very much look forward to seeing you enjoy the film in the theater!”

Shozo Ichiyama, the programming director for Toyko Film Festival, added in a statement, “Climbing for Life chronicles the inspiring story of a real-life female mountaineer and her devoted family. With a remarkable lead performance by Sayuri Yoshinaga and meticulous direction by director Junji Sakamoto, this film earns a place as one of the year’s most touching films. I am confident that its universal themes will deeply move audiences across the globe. It is a privilege for us to open the Tokyo International Film Festival with this wonderful work.”

Kino Films will distribute Climbing for Life in Japan, with the film getting a theatrical release on Oct. 31.

The 2025 Tokyo Film Festival runs from Oct. 27 through to Nov. 5.

Rick Davies, the co-founder, vocalist and songwriter for the British band Supertramp, has died aged 81.

The musician died at home on Long Island last week “after a long illness”, the band said in a statement released on Sunday.

Davies, who wrote and sang hits including Goodbye Stranger and Bloody Well Right, was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a cancer concentrated in bone marrow that affects white blood cells, in 2015. His diagnosis and need for “aggressive treatment” meant the band had to cancel a reunion tour around Europe later that year.

“The Supertramp Partnership is very sad to announce the death of the Supertramp founder Rick Davies after a long illness,” read the band’s statement on Sunday.

“We had the privilege of knowing him, and playing with him for over 50 years. We offer our sincere condolences to [Davies’ wife and the band’s manager] Sue Davies.”

On social media, the band remembered Davies’ “warmth, resilience, and devotion to his wife Sue” and credited him as “the voice and pianist behind Supertramp’s most iconic songs, leaving an indelible mark on rock music history.

“His soulful vocals and unmistakable touch on the Wurlitzer became the heartbeat of the band’s sound … Rick’s music and legacy continue to inspire many and bears testament to the fact that great songs never die, they live on.”

Born in Swindon in 1944, Davies was a musician from a young age, developing a love of music after listening to Gene Krupa’s Drummin’ Man, first training as a drummer and later as a keyboardist. In 1969 he placed an advertisement in Melody Maker for musicians to join the new band he was forming, to which musician Roger Hodgson replied. After a brief period performing as Daddy, the group renamed themselves Supertramp, with Davies and Hodgson both serving as frontmen.

Supertramp’s breakthrough came with Bloody Well Right, written by Davies, and they grew more and more successful, with hits including Give a Little Bit and The Logical Song, both written and sung by Hodgson with Davies on keys.

Their 1979 album Breakfast in America has sold more than 30m copies worldwide and won two Grammy awards. The album included hits The Logical Song, Take the Long Way Home and the titular track.

Davies was the only original member still in the band, with Hodgson having left in 1983 to pursue a solo career amid a series of creative disputes.

Hodgson and Davies’ company Delicate Music continued to distribute the band’s publishing royalties until 2018. Other members of Supertramp sued Hodgson and Davies over royalties in 2021, but settled with Davies in 2023. Just last month, a US judge ordered Hodgson to give three members of the band songwriting royalties on three songs.

Davies continued to perform even after his cancer diagnosis, often under the name Ricky and the Rockets.

Davies is survived by his wife, Sue, who has been Supertramp’s manager since 1984.

Lady Gaga was named artist of the year as she collected four awards at the 2025 MTV Video Music Awards (VMAs).

She beat competition including Taylor Swift, Beyoncé and Kendrick Lamar to the award, which she dedicated to her “Little Monster” fans and fiance Michael Polansky.

Sabrina Carpenter and Ariana Grande picked up three awards each on a night when the prizes were largely spread out.

Collecting the artist of the year award at Sunday’s ceremony, Lady Gaga said: “I cannot begin to tell you what this means to me.

“Being an artist is an attempt to connect the souls of people all over the world. Being an artist is a discipline, a craft meant for reaching into someone’s heart, where it grows its roots, and reminding them to dream.

“Being an artist is a responsibility to make the audience smile, dance, cry, release … it is a method of building understanding and celebrating community.”

She left the UBS Arena in Long Island after collecting the award, but the show later returned to Gaga during her concert at New York’s Madison Square Garden where she performed Abracadabra and The Dead Dance, which featured in the Netflix series Wednesday.

Gaga, who received 12 nominations, also won the best direction and art direction awards for Abracadabra, as well as landing the best collaboration category for Die With A Smile alongside Bruno Mars.

Mars also paired up with Blackpink singer Rose to claim song of the year for APT, while Blackpink were named best group.

Gaga’s victory as artist of the year means Swift and Beyoncé – who were only nominated in that category – remain tied on 30 with the most VMA successes.

By contrast, Mariah Carey collected her first award with victory in the R&B award for Type Dangerous before landing a second when she was awarded the Video Vanguard award.

“This is amazing MTV, I don’t know why it took you so long!” she joked in a video message ahead of performing later in the show.

New achievement awards went to Ricky Martin, who performed a medley kicking off with Livin’ La Vida Loca, with the Latin icon award, and rapper Busta Rhymes, who received the Rock The Bells Visionary Award.

Accepting his award from Jessica Simpson, Martin said: “We just want to break boundaries, and we just want to keep music alive.”

The awards also honoured former Black Sabbath singer Ozzy Osbourne, who died in July aged 76, with a performance introduced by a video message from his son Jack and his children.

British singer Yungblud joined Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler and Joe Perry, together with Extreme guitarist Nuno Bettencourt to perform hits including Crazy Train, Changes and Mama, I’m Coming Home.

Grande picked up the video of the year, long-form video and best pop video awards for Brighter Days Ahead, thanking her father for his cameo.

Carpenter’s Short n’ Sweet was named album of the year, while she was named best pop artist and took home the visual effects award for Manchild.

Other multiple award winners were Doechii, who won the hip-hop award and choreography for Anxiety, and Tate McRae who picked up the editing award and song of the summer for Just Keep Watching from the F1 movie.

Coldplay won the rock category for All My Love with Sombr collecting the alternative award for Back To Friends and Shakira taking the Latin prize for Soltera.

Carpenter, Sombr, McRae, best new artist Alex Warren and Katseye, who won performance of the year, were among those who performed at the ceremony, while Post Malone performed from Germany alongside Jelly Roll.

The live show ended with a number of awards not presented, which were announced after it had finished on X. – PA

Billy Porter has left the Kit Kat Club early. The actor will discontinue the role of the Emcee in the Broadway production of Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club following a diagnosis with sepsis. The production will now terminate its run on Sept. 19 instead of its planned Oct. 19 finale.

“Due to a serious case of sepsis, Billy Porter must also withdraw from the production,” the play shared in a statement on Sunday. “His doctors are confident that he will make a full recovery but have advised him to maintain a restful schedule.”

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club, a revival of John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Joe Masteroff’s beloved musical, opened on Broadway in April 2024 after debuting in London. It launched with Eddie Redmayne and Gayle Rankin in the lead roles. Following their September 2024 departure, Adam Lambert and Auli’i Cravalho, and then Orville Peck and Eva Noblezada took over the leads.

Porter stepped into the role of the Emcee in July, with Marisha Wallace as Sally Bowles. The actors were expected to lead the production’s final 13 weeks. Due to Porter’s illness, Marty Lauter and David Merino will play the Emcee for the remaining two weeks. Wallace will continue to play Bowles.

“It is with a heavy heart that we have made the painful decision to end our Broadway run,” producer Adam Speers said in a statement. “On behalf of all the producers, we’re so honored to have been able to bring this version of John Kander, Fred Ebb, and Joe Masteroff’s important masterpiece, Cabaret, to New York and to have opened the doors to our own Kit Kat Club for the year and a half we have been here.”

Speers added, “Billy was an extraordinary Emcee, bringing his signature passion and remarkable talent. We wish Billy a speedy recovery, and I look forward to working with him again in the very near future.”

Trending Stories

Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club has earned headlines during its Broadway run thanks to the eclectic approaches of its lead actors. Redmayne caused a fervor online after his in-character performance at the Tony Awards last year, resulting in many calling his approach to the role “creepy.” Earlier this year, Peck took off his signature mask to play the Emcee.

“The mask is part of my expression personally as an artist and a very big personal part of me,” Peck said. “But I’m here to play this role and to bring respect and integrity and hopefully a good performance to it. It’s not about me. I’m not trying to make it the Orville Peck show.”

Looking for the most recent regular Connections answers? Click here for today’s Connections hints, as well as our daily answers and hints for The New York Times Mini Crossword, Wordle and Strands puzzles.

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Today’s Connections: Sports Edition contains the name SIR PURR, which might be my favorite Connections clue ever. If you’re struggling but still want to solve it, read on for hints and the answers.

Connections: Sports Edition is published by The Athletic, the subscription-based sports journalism site owned by the Times. It doesn’t show up in the NYT Games app but appears in The Athletic’s own app. Or you can play it for free online.

Read more: NYT Connections: Sports Edition Puzzle Comes Out of Beta

Hints for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Here are four hints for the groupings in today’s Connections: Sports Edition puzzle, ranked from the easiest yellow group to the tough (and sometimes bizarre) purple group.

Yellow group hint: Major conference.

Green group hint: Team symbol.

Blue group hint: They can shoot from afar.

Purple group hint: Same last name.

Answers for today’s Connections: Sports Edition groups

Yellow group: A Big Ten athlete.

Green group: NFL mascots.

Blue group: NBA career 3-point leaders.

Purple group: ____ Martinez.

Read more: Wordle Cheat Sheet: Here Are the Most Popular Letters Used in English Words

What are today’s Connections: Sports Edition answers?

The yellow words in today’s Connections

The theme is a Big Ten athlete. The four answers are Buckeye, Duck, Spartan and Terrapin.

The green words in today’s Connections

The theme is NFL mascots. The four answers are Poe, Rowdy, Sir Purr and Swoop.

The blue words in today’s Connections

The theme is NBA career 3-point leaders. The four answers are Allen, Curry, Harden and Lillard.

The purple words in today’s Connections

The theme is ____ Martinez.  The four answers are Edgar, Pedro, Tino and Victor.

Chandigarh: In a city where cars outnumber people and vehicle density tops national charts, even number plates are turning into prized possessions. The race isn’t just for horsepower anymore — it’s for digits that dazzle. From spiritual sequences to mobile number matches, Chandigarh’s obsession with fancy registration numbers has morphed into a full-blown phenomenon. What began with just 651 auctions in 2020 has now surged past 2,000 annually, with young bidders driving the frenzy and redefining what it means to make a statement on the road.According to RLA records, the authority auctioned 651 registration numbers in 2020. That figure nearly doubled in 2021, reaching 1,157. In 2022, the RLA shattered previous records by auctioning 2,632 numbers. The momentum continued in 2023 with 2,501 numbers sold. Although 2024 saw a slight dip to 1,930, the trend rebounded in 2025, with 1,851 numbers auctioned till August.“The trend has evolved dramatically,” a senior official told TOI. “Earlier, people came for classic fancy numbers—double digits, triple digits, or visually catchy combinations. Now, many seek numbers tied to personal or religious significance, house numbers, or even mobile digits. It’s become a deeply personal choice.”

Poll

Do you believe spending large amounts on fancy registration numbers is worth it?

This surge in demand has translated into a revenue windfall for the RLA. From Rs 1.53 crore in 2020, earnings from registration number auctions have soared to Rs 10.54 crore by July 2025. Except for 2023, when revenue dipped slightly to Rs 8.54 crore, the authority has consistently crossed the Rs 10 crore mark since 2022. In 2025, the RLA set new benchmarks with three record-breaking bids: Rs 4.08 crore, Rs 3.51 crore, and Rs 2.94 crore, each the highest ever for a single auction.