Good Will Hunting (1997) star Ben Affleck knew he was famous when someone threw a beer can at him. He recalls how the beer can incident, and being told "Affleck you suck, " was the point at which he knew he was making it in his career. He says, "It was a drive-by beer canning. That was the first day it occurred to me that there is a side of fame that might be unpleasant... It was a peculiar induction - one Jason Patric has aptly characterised as baptism by flashbulb - to a strange club whose membership requirements are simple: People you've never met, seen or spoken to develop opinions about you, your work and whether or not you suck... Though my holy water was alcoholic, carbonated and gunned at me by strangers, I suddenly had an affinity with how Mr. Patric must have felt."

53-year-old Farrah Fawcett insisted on having a massive audience as she stripped and danced nude for her latest flick Dr. T and the Women (2000). The actress was outraged when she discovered director Robert Altman had arranged a closed set and banished all but key crew members for the revealing scene. Fawcett told the director, "No way! I am proud of what I have got and I need an audience." With hundreds of eyes on her, the aging star stripped and danced in the nude. When Fawcett had finished Altman stood and applauded as cast and crew cheered wildly. Still naked, the actress took a bow before calmly walking to a chair and slipping on a robe.

Even the director of John Travolta's new movie Battlefield Earth (2000) seems to be embarrassed about the picture. The film has received heavy criticism since its release - and when director Roger Christian introduced the movie at its London premiere, he looked less than pleased to be associated with it. He told the audience, "This is a different sort of film. You have to remember to try and see it as a sort of comic strip. I think that's the best way to think of it."

Stanley Kubrick considered Woody Allen for the main role in his final film Eyes Wide Shut (1999). The legendary NEW YORK director was thought of by Kubrick as one possible candidate for the role that Tom Cruise went on to play in the film. Allen says, "He (Stanley Kubrick) never called me. Maybe in conversation he thought it was a good idea, but came to his senses somewhere along the line."

BUSH frontman GAVIN ROSSDALE has turned down an offer to play THE DOORS' singer JIM MORRISON in a new film about the band. But a spokesperson for Bush said they specifically performed the Doors track BREAK ON THROUGH at their recent sell-out concert at London's SHEPHERD'S BUSH EMPIRE for casting scouts from America, who were in the audience. The movie will be based on the book, WONDERLAND AVENUE, the classic Doors biography by Danny Sugarman. Filming is not expected to begin for another two years, which the Bush spokesperson speculated "may be just right for Gavin to take a step in that direction". Rossdale himself said, however, that he would be content to provide music for the soundtrack, admitting that it was "almost like a dream come true" to be considered for the role.

STAR WARS child star JAKE LLOYD has infuriated co-stars on his latest flick with his "spoiled and brat-like" behaviour. The 11-year-old actor, who played ANAKIN SKYWALKER in Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999), has been behaving like a "little menace" on the set of his new flick Madison (2000) - refusing to sign autographs and intentionally disrupting filming. An eye witness says, "Jake has been bratty with everyone. He has refused to sign posters for kids on the set. "When he wasn't on camera he made loud noises which interrupted filming. Worst of all he stuck clothespins all over his face that left red marks. When he had to film the entire production had to wait while make up people covered he marks. Hopefully he'll grow up."

Heart-throb actor Gabriel Byrne has celebrated his 50th birthday in New York - with his ex-wife Ellen Barkin and their two children. The Usual Suspects, The (1995) star is currently appearing in the Broadway production of the EUGENE O'NEILL play A MOON FOR THE MISBEGOTTEN According to a report in the NEW YORK POST, the actor "seemed grumpy" and "freaked out when he eyed a photographer in the room." But the Dublin-born star apparently calmed down when he realised the snapper was there for a magazine layout - and not to snatch pictures of him and his family. Last month the newspaper ran a picture of Byrne allegedly brushing off a photographer who snapped him leaving a restaurant with a "mystery woman."

Kate Moss has split from her musical lover JESSE WOOD - because after four-months the spark has gone out of their relationship. The son of ROLLING STONES star RONNIE told pals a few days ago they had split and they have been helping him get over the pain of loosing beautiful Kate. A friend says, "His mates are rallying round and telling him that if you're going to be dumped it might as well be by a supermodel."

JEAN CLAUDE VAN DAMME has become a tower of strength for his former wife - as she recovers from the shock of having found her new husband murdered. DARCY LAPIER discovered the body of HERBALIFE founder MARK HUGHES in their Malibu home, and once Van Damme discovered the news he jetted to be with her. A source says, "Darcy and Mark were still very much in the Honeymoon period. She is absolutely heartbroken." Despite Lapier and Van Damme's divorce in 1997 being one of the stickiest Hollywood has witnessed, the Street Fighter (1994) actor has forgotten the bitterness to be Lapier's friend in her time of need. An insider says, "After he heard that Mark had died, Jean Claude vowed to be there for the mother of his son NICHOLAS." Van Damme has told pals, "I'm willing to let the past be the past. That woman is the mother to my little boy and I still have love for her. I know we are no longer a couple, but I'm here for Darcy. I just want to know what I can do to help."

Elizabeth Hurley and Hugh Grant may have only just split up - but Friday they headed off for a romantic weekend together. They filled their car with luggage and headed off for a private break together - even though they had told the world just three days before about the end of their 13-year romance. Far from looking upset about the breakdown they laughed and joked together. But friends say the behaviour is normal - because they are such great mates. One says, "Going away for the weekend is the last thing two people who've just finished a relationship would normally do. But Liz and Hugh have always said they are the best of friends - and they really are. So what better way to get over what's been a successful week than by getting away from it together."