The Grapevine: Robert De Niro, Baz Luhrmann, and Stephen King

Robert De Niro and Wife Welcome Second Child

Iconic actor Robert De Niro, 68, and his wife Grace Hightower De Niro, 56, announced last week the birth of their second child via surrogate mother. The baby girl, named Helen Grace, weighed in at 7 pounds, 2 ounces and joins 13-year-old big brother Elliot. De Niro also has four children from prior relationships. 

Baz Luhrmann Injured on Set

Australian filmmaker Baz Luhrmann injured his head on a camera crane last week while directing a scene in Sydney for his newest movie project “The Great Gatsby,” starring Leonardo DiCaprio. 

The accident left Luhrmann with three stitches and led to the shutdown of the set a day early for the upcoming holidays, according to a report from the Sydney Morning Herald. Production will resume in the new year. The film is slated to be released Dec. 25, 2012. 

Stephen King Heats Things Up

Stephen King, the hit suspense writer and Maine resident, is raising funds to help low-income individuals in his home state with heating bills.

King’s radio station Zone Radio announced the Help Keep ME Warm This Winter fundraiser in response to learning that federal aid for heating would be significantly reduced from $23 million down from $55.6 million last year, according to an article in the Bangor Daily News. 

After receiving an unexpected $50,000 from an anonymous California donor, as well as funds from Maine residents and The Stephen and Tabitha King Foundation, they total raised $241,820, exceeding the original goal by over $100,000. 

In a telephone interview with Bangor Daily News, King noted, “This economy is terrible and Tabitha and I both worry so much about Bangor because it truly is a working-class town and we are always looking for ways to help.”