Animation legend Joseph Barbera has died at his home in Studio City, California. He was 95. The co-founder of Hanna-Barbera Studios, Barbera was born in New York in 1911 and began his career as a banker before teaming up with William Hanna in the late 1930s to create beloved cartoon characters like Tom & Jerry, The Jetsons and The Flintstones during their 60-year partnership. The pair's first collaboration was entitled Puss Gets The Boot, which became the first outing for Tom & Jerry. Hanna and Barbera picked up seven Oscars for their Tom & Jerry cartoons. The acclaimed animators then created one of the first independent animation studios to produce TV series in 1957 and the hits kept coming with The Huckleberry Hound Show and Quick Draw McGraw. But the duo landed one of their most beloved shows in 1960 when The Flintstones debuted - the first animated series to air in primetime. The show, about a stone age community, ran for six years and went on to become the top-ranking animated program. Other hits for Barbera and his partner included Top Cat, Scooby-Doo and Smurfs, which earned the pair two Daytime Emmy Awards in 1982 and in 1983 for Outstanding Children's Entertainment Series and a Humanitas Award in 1987.

Actress Christina Ricci has pledged never to wear fur again after being deluged with angry letters from fans. The movie star was named People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals' (PETA) Worst Dressed Celebrity of 2006 after she appeared in fur on the cover of W magazine, and now she's desperate to make amends. In a letter to the animal rights organization, The Addams Family star insists she'll be fur-free in 2007. She writes, "After being named on the PETA worst dressed list for wearing fur on the cover of W magazine, I have been deluged with angry and disappointed fans. I never meant to hurt nor anger anyone with my insensitivity. For what it is worth I have received the message loud and clear and will not be wearing fur in the future. I apologize for my offensive actions." A website devoted to Ricci was recently shut down when the owner spotted the star posing in reindeer fur on the cover of the fashion magazine. A representative for PETA says Ricci's name has been removed from the Worst Dressed list. In addition, the animal rights group is also sending her a Christmas basket full of "cruelty-free goodies to thank her for her compassionate decision."

Lindsay Lohan faces an uncomfortable movie shoot after preparations for her latest role as a pole dancer left her covered in bruises. The actress has been taking striptease lessons from a professional ahead of filming I Know Who Killed Me, but is now regretting the hands-on research. In an email sent to friends Lohan moans, "So... three hours of pole dancing and bruised. Everywhere... I mean we're talkin' like, upper and inner thigh action-bruised... like a walking black-and-blue mark. I mean really though, really, I didn't know it was actually possible to have bruises in such areas of the body. Strippers dude, I tell you, I really respect (them) now... I'm not gonna lie to you." Lohan's spokeswoman Leslie Sloane Zelnik confirms to PageSix.com, "She's been in rehearsals for the film and has been taking classes. Her character is a stripper, and she now realizes that the job isn't easy. We should give these women credit." Lohan faces another five weeks of discomfort while she completes the movie.

Angelina Jolie has laughed off boyfriend Brad Pitt's claims they would marry when "everyone else in the country" can, reiterating they have no plans to wed. Earlier this year, the actor told men's magazine Esquire, "Angie and I will consider tying the knot when everyone else in the country who wants to be married is legally able." Last week, Jolie insisted they weren't planning to become husband and wife, saying, "We've both been married before, so it's not marriage that necessarily kept some people together. We are legally bound to our children, not to each other, and I think that's the most important thing." When many magazines brought up Pitt's quotes, which appeared to contradict Jolie's, the actress insisted his words were misinterpreted. She says, "I think he was commenting just on the state (that) we all wish for. That's not really a comment on whether or not we would or if we plan to." Pitt has been married once before, to Jennifer Aniston, while Jolie has two ex-husbands - Jonny Lee Miller and Billy Bob Thornton.

Hollywood blockbusters Casino Royale, Pirates Of The Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and Superman Returns may be battling it out for Best Visual Effects at next year's Oscar ceremony. The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences on Friday announced the films making the cut, earning further consideration as possible trophy contenders at the 79th Annual Academy awards. The other films vying for nominations include Poseidon, Eragon, X-Men: The Last Stand and Night At The Museum. The next step in the nominations process, which takes place on 17 January, sees the Academy viewing 15 minute clips from each of the short-listed films, with the top three honored with Oscar nominations on January 23. The Oscars take place on February 25, 2007.

Martha Stewart ended her brief relationship with Sir Anthony Hopkins, because she couldn't separate him from his famous character Hannibal Lecter. Stewart, 65, appeared on shock jock Howard Stern's radio show last week and admitted she had second thoughts about romancing the Welsh-born star after watching The Silence Of The Lambs while they were dating. She said, "Oh, I loved him, but he was... scary. I was going to invite him up to Maine; I have this beautiful home in Maine... but then I reconsidered because I saw that movie again. Do you want someone eating your brain while you are sitting in your beautiful dining room in Maine?" Hopkins won an Academy Award for his portrayal of Dr, Lecter, but the accolades weren't enough to sway Stewart. She adds, "I would have probably had a very nice relationship with Anthony Hopkins, but I couldn't get past the Lecter thing."

Sharon Stone and Christian Slater have confirmed rumors they're dating and now plan to spend Christmas together. The starry couple, who co-star in new movie Bobby, sparked romance rumors when they attended a string of events together, but refused to confirm their relationship. But now 48-year-old Stone and her 37-year-old beau aren't hiding their affections for each other - they recently attended a party for fashion label Dolce & Gabbana at the Chateau Marmont Hotel in Los Angeles arm-in-arm and made sure everyone knew they were a couple. A source close to Stone says, "They're both really happy - but they don't have long-term expectations. It's a fun fling for the holidays and Sharon is a good influence. She rarely drinks and has three kids. It's a good match for now."

Newly-single pop star Britney Spears has purchased a new home in Beverly Hills for $7.2 million. The five-bedroom Mediterranean-style villa is located in the exclusive gated community of Summit Circle and includes a swimming pool, library, media room, and maid's quarters. Celebrity real estate agent Barbara Corcoran says, "Britney's new house is a perfect party pad. It's on the best street in the Summit Circle gated community, on a quiet cul-de-sac and it needs absolutely no work." Spears has already moved out of the Malibu, California home she shared with estranged husband Kevin Federline and is keen to move into her new property as soon as possible. A source tells American publication The Star, "She asked the sellers to get out right away. So they moved to a hotel on December 12. Britney liked the house just as it was. She didn't want to have to wait for new furniture to be brought in."

John Mayer initially refused to allow his song "Your Body Is A Wonderland" to be used on the US version of hit comedy The Office, but changed his mind after producers explained the hilarious scene. The song was featured on the show last week during a scene in which Steve Carell's character Michael Scott butchers the song while singing karaoke. Mayer calls The Office "one of my favorite shows on television" and writes on his website, "I initially turned the request down, but after thinking about it (and hearing the details on the incredibly funny sounding scene from producer BJ Novak), I decided to go for it." He adds, "Now, I'm not making apologies for my work, but it's safe to say I don't get asked to use 'Wonderland' for strongman competitions and documentaries about aircraft carriers. I get asked so people can goof on it."

Former 'N Sync star Joey Fatone will join the next round of US celebrity reality competition Dancing With The Stars. The singer broke the news over the weekend, when he was interviewed by a radio station in Florida. Fatone said producers had previously approached him three times about being on the show, but he declined - until now. He explains his change of heart by saying, "Well, it's kind of popular now! I like doing it because it's challenging." The hit show will return for a fourth season in March 2007.