What a lovely family. Here's an excerpt from Levi's MySpace page, before it was made private:
All beings desire happiness; therefore to all extend your benevolence.
-Mahavamsa
She performed for 60 years as an unlikely international star, born of mixed-race in the South. She memorably denounced the Vietnam war -- during a visit to the White House for lunch with Lady Bird Johnson. Her life spanned three autobiographies, and she enjoyed many romances with famous men.
She burst onto the scene in "New Faces of 1952," along with Paul Lynde, her first album followed in 1954, including her mega-hits, "I Want to Be Evil," "C'est Si Bon," and the classic "Santa Baby," a Christmas evergreen.
She appeared in films and television, including a memorable turn as Catwoman in the "Batman" series. She was invited back to the White House by Jimmy Carter.
She learned to perform in over a dozen languages, and her hit "Usku Dara" was in Turkish.
"I'm an orphan. But the public has adopted me and that has been my only family," she told the Post online. "The biggest family in the world is my fans."
Eartha joins the galaxy of great stars who have died on Christmas Day, including Dean Martin in 1995, and Charlie Chaplin in 1977 and W.C. Fields in 1946.
Source: AP
While we're all in the mind of miraculous births, Clay Aiken, Unlikely Father of the Year 2008, received that venerable Broadway honor of having his caricature posted at Sardi's restaurant in Manhattan. The formerly myopic former "American Idol" runner-up chose a hot pink shirt with a nubby V-neck pullover for his moment in the Great White Way sun. 
Jennifer Aniston outside of "Late Night with David Letterman" last week, and Zac Efron at Mattel Children's Hospital at UCLA this weekend. So alike, and yet one of them is pretty. 
JenZac.
Burlesque queen Dita Von Teese without makeup, and the new wax figure of diarist Anne Frank at Madame Tussauds in Berlin. So alike, and yet one died in 1945 at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp.
(L to R) Tatiana, Ted, Rose, John, Patrick, Caroline, Barack, Eunice, Jean, Ted's wife Vicki and her son.
According to USA Today, "scientists are now said to be studying the organ." And you know how scientists love organs.
Police Chief Patrick W. Alspaugh tells the Kalamazoo Gazette "If it's a human heart, that prompts the question, 'Then where's the body?'"
Johnson began his contract with MGM in 1942, and was one of the few male contract players on hand during WWII. A traffic accident left him with a metal plate in his head and ineligible for the military. Instead, he typically played a war hero in soapy melodramas like “Miracle in the Rain” or splashy MGM musicals, often opposite June Allyson or Esther Williams.
The redheaded Johnson was also a Broadway regular, having made his debut in “New Faces of 1936.” He also appeared in the original cast of “Pal Joey,” and toured with “La Cage aux Folles” in 1987. He appeared on an episode of “I Love Lucy” in 1955, and guest starred as “The Minstrel” on a few episode of TV’s “Batman” in 1966.
Johnson was married to Eve Lynn Abbott in 1947. They had a daughter, Schuyler, in 1948, from whom Johnson was estranged. In a 2005 bio of MGM Chief L.B. Mayer, author Scott Eyman quoted Abbott as saying, "Ours was a real marriage. I was in love with Van, but I wouldn't have married him if I'd known he was a homosexual." Eve died in 2004 at age 90.
Johnson was also known for his trademark red socks.
Getty Images
Miss Tom Cruise is out pimping that Hitler movie, as seen here in Toronto yesterday. 
Samuel L. Jackson last night at the Paris premiere of "The Spirit," and Miss Dionne Warwick. So alike, and yet they just walk on by.
New "Meet the Press" host David Gregory, and tiny twin Mary Kate Olsen. So alike, and yet, so newsworthy.
Mrs. Helen Kasinetz, Tons of Fun, Room 5
Britney Spears speaks at the "Light of the Angels" Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony at L.A. Live on Wednesday... and a horse. So alike, and yet so wrong, y'all.
Comedian Sandra Bernhard, as she appeared last night at the premiere of "Liza's at the Palace?!"... and Bozo the Clown. So alike, and yet so alike.
First Lady Laura Bush is looking better and better as it gets toward the end of her husband's lengthy and disgraceful presidency. Don't expect her to stand by Bushie when he's indicted for war crimes. 
RISPERDAL®(risperidone) has some possible side effects that you should know about.
With any medication, some people have side effects and some don't. If you have any side effects with RISPERDAL, or feel you're not getting better, please talk to your healthcare professional. Your healthcare professional may adjust the dose to help reduce or minimize your side effects.
The most common side effects that may occur with RISPERDAL are: somnolence, increased appetite, fatigue, rhinitis, upper respiratory tract infection, vomiting, coughing, urinary incontinence, increased saliva, constipation, fever, tremors, muscle stiffness, abdominal pain, anxiety, nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, rash, restlessness, and indigestion.
Studies suggest an increased risk of elevated blood sugar-related side effects, and sometimes potentially fatal, in patients treated with this class of medications, including RISPERDAL. Some people may need regular blood sugar testing.
Some people taking RISPERDAL may feel faint or lightheaded when they stand up or sit up too quickly. By standing up or sitting up slowly and following your healthcare professional's dosing instructions, this side effect may be reduced or it may go away over time.
You may have heard the term "extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)." These are usually reversible movement disorders or muscle disturbances, such as restlessness, tremors, and muscle stiffness. Some people taking RISPERDAL have these side effects. If you have these symptoms, talk to your healthcare professional.
You may have heard the term "tardive dyskinesia." These are potentially irreversible, uncontrollable, slow or jerky facial or body movements that can be caused by all medications of this type (antipsychotics). If you have these symptoms, talk to your healthcare professional. Only your healthcare professional should adjust your dose or stop your medication.
There are some medications that interact with RISPERDAL. Please inform your healthcare professional of all medications or supplements that you are taking.
Here's William Balfour, cracky felon brother-in-law of Jennifer Hudson, was charged today in the murder of her mother, brother and nephew. And here's murderous Sideshow Bob from The Simpsons. So alike, and yet so different.
Nicole Kidman as spotted in Paris on Monday night at the Hotel George, and Renée Zellweger attempting to smile. So alike, and yet so different.
Paris Hilton as she appeared yesterday launching her new stench, "Fairy Dust," at the Macy's in Woodbridge, New Jersey, and Loni Anderson during her "WKRP" days. So alike, and yet, so alike. 
