Joe Arce

CHICAGO – Kristi Yamaguchi has parlayed her Olympic-level Gold Medal figure skating career into multiple successes, including finishing first on the popular TV show “Dancing with the Stars.” She was in the Chicago area recently greeting fans and signing her new children’s book, “Dream Big, Little Pig.”

CHICAGO – Amy Sedaris is well remembered in Chicago for her work at the Second City Troupe, as well as the Annoyance Theater. The comedian, actor, author and entrepreneur recently wrote a new book, “Simple Times: Crafts for Poor People!,” which is her wacky perspective on crafting and entertaining.

CHICAGO – Earlier this month ABC-TV announced that the daytime soap opera “All My Children” would end its 41 year run in September. This also is the end of the villainess character Erica Kane, who is portrayed by Susan Lucci. Her journey with that show is chronicled in her new memoir “All My Life.”

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Ageless, timeless Academy Award winner Ernest Borgnine

CHICAGO – The Hollywood Celebrities & Memorabilia Show, a biannual institution in Chicago, recently had their spring gathering of stars. Many top celebrities participated, including Ernest Borgnine, Bruce Dern, Elliott Gould, Tippi Hedren, Stella Stevens, Margot Kidder and The Walton Girls (Judy Norton and Erin McDonough).

CHICAGO – Being the daughter of comedian Danny Thomas, Marlo Thomas certainly was appropriate in naming her latest book, “Growing Up Laughing: My Story and the Story of Funny.” She and her husband Phil Donahue recently were in Chicago to promote the memoir.

CHICAGO – There is a certain royal atmosphere when a true movie star walks into the room. Burt Reynolds is that type of star, and his presence has the history of popular movies about him, the journey of a career spanning 50 years.

CHICAGO – The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, more popularly known as “C2E2,” took place last month, and featured TV series cast panels with “The Walking Dead,” “True Blood,” “The Vampire Diaries” and “Dollhouse.”

CHICAGO – Turner Classic Movies, the film buff’s 24-hour movie channel, was in Chicago on March 24th to promote the TCM Classic Film Festival, in Hollywood from April 28th to May 1st. As part of that promotion, Jane Powell of “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers” (1954), introduced that film at the Music Box Theater here.

CHICAGO – It’s Hollywood Celebrities & Memorabilia Show Weekend, and the stars of TV and movies will be available to meet all their fans at the Hilton Rosemont/Chicago O’Hare Airport Hotel (click the link at the end of the article). Also available, lots of vendors with TV and movie items for any collection.

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Chris Hemsworth will star as the title character in “Thor,” coming this summer.

CHICAGO – The Chicago Comic & Entertainment Expo, nicknamed “C2E2,” took place from March 18th through the 20th. Cast panels from the upcoming movie “Thor,” as well as TV’s “The Walking Dead,” “True Blood,” “Dollhouse” and “The Vampire Diaries” met admirers and participated in Q&As.