Pop 'n' Fresh

Disney makes Jack walk the plank

The first trip I ever took to a Disney theme park was when I was 5-years-old. One of the most distinct memories of that outing is getting Pinocchio's autograph, then quickly ducking away as so many starry-eyed kids mobbed him, he was literally pinned to a wall. Poor guy.

Thus is the plight of the costumed Disney theme park employee. For every Cinderella, Tarzan and Eeyore, there's a throng of drooling children waiting to meet their entertainment icons. It can be a real job hazard.

But who would've guessed your theme park fanbase could get you fired?

It's being reported that Disneyland has fired all four of their Jack Sparrow actors due to recent problems with rowdy, young female park-goers flashing their, uh, "cannonballs" at the rock star pirate. "They lost control when they saw Jack Sparrow," said former Sparrow Brandon Pinto, who left the role about a year ago. "This is a sexy, rock-star pirate."

While park officials deny the claim and attributed the pulling of everyone's favorite Pirates of the Caribbean star to declining requests and popularity for the character, it's really does make you wonder, especially when this incident is followed closely by one actor's account of his former adventures as Jack at the "Happiest Place on Earth" (a recommended read - it's hilarious).

But don't worry. While Jack Sparrows are being ousted, it looks like the Magic Kingdom is hiring extra actors to portray Tinkerbell and her fairy friends to help promote the release of Disney's new Tinkerbell movie.

Rowdy, manly pirates replaced with fairies? It's enough to make you want to protest!

Or maybe make a guy buy his own Jack Sparrow outfit...

- Jason

The "shadow of death" claims Heston

Charlton Heston, 84, died Saturday at his home in Beverly Hills. His wife was by his side.

A family spokesperson declined to give a reason for the actor's death, but Heston had revealed in 2002 that he was suffering the symptoms of Alzheimer's Disease.

Heston's character, Moses, tried to protect his people from the "shadow of death" in "The Ten Commandments," one of many great films to the actor's credit.

He was best known for playing the role of Judah Ben-Hur,  below, in the 1959 classic, "Ben-Hur."

He was born Oct. 24, 1924 in Evanston, Ill. as Charles Carter to Lilla Charlton and Russell Whitford Carter. After a divorce, his mother remarried to Chester Heston and the would be actor took his stepfather's last name along with his mother's maiden name.

His acting career began in the 1940s at college, where he met his wife, Lydia.

Heston was president of the Screen Actors Guild from 1966 until 1971 and was president of the National Rifle Association from 1998 until 2003. He also served as chairman of the American Film Institute.

Along with his work in the acting community, Heston made his mark on the political landscape as a strong liberal who backed candidates such as John F. Kennedy. His views changed later in life and be became very conservative in his views and moved his support to Republican candidates.

He was very active in the civil rights movement and marched alongside Martin Luther King Jr. (who died 40 years ago Friday) in Washington D.C.

In 2007, Heston was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush for his activism. This is the nation's highest honor for a civilian.

He is survived by his wife; daughter, Holly Ann Heston; son Fraser Clarke Heston; and grandson, Jack.

~Chandra