Farrell delivers eulogy

DUBLIN, Ireland (AP) – Colin Farrell offered a loving farewell, peppered with jokes, at his grandfather’s funeral.

“Granddad would never curse, so it’s fitting that I should now be standing in front of you today,” Farrell quipped Monday at the funeral Mass of Jimmy Monaghan, 89, who died Thursday.

Farrell, delivering an oration to more than 100 mourners inside the Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church in the Drimnagh district of Dublin, described his grandfather as the “most beautiful of men.”

He read a poem he’d written – “in case the whole acting thing doesn’t work out” – in tribute to Monaghan, “the truest father, the greatest man, the one and only “Gentleman Jim.”‘

Screen credits for Farrell, 28, include “Alexander,” “The Recruit,” “Minority Report” and “Tigerland.”

Tara Reid gets ‘Wild On!’

Frequent South Beach reveler Tara Reid is finally embracing her reputation as one of Hollywood’s hardest-partying hotties, reports The New York Post.

Reid is close to signing a deal to become the next host of the E! channel’s popular “Wild On!” travel show, following the bikini-clad likes of Cindy Taylor, Brooke Burke and Jules Asner.

The plan is for her to party her way through Europe for the summer, trailed by an E! camera crew.

– Knight Ridder Newspapers

Lohan refines her image

“I always want to be perceived as normal and wholesome,” entertainment wunderkind and prodigy Lindsay Lohan says.

“I hope people think I’m wholesome. It’s hard after what you read in the magazines, that I’m dating every guy who’s like my father’s age. But that’s not me,” the “Herbie” star says to the Los Angeles Times in a remarkable, lengthy profile that tackles L.L.’s tabloid woes but manages not to wade into the weighty waters of L.L.’s recent weight-loss – even though the issue made headlines around the globe.

L.L. will prove her righteousness in her next flick, which will be helmed by America’s film auteur’s auteur’s auteur, Robert Altman, and costars Meryl Streep and Woody Harrelson.

Talk about unsullied material: The Garrison Keillor-written movie will be a big-screen take on the scribe’s it’s-so-wholesome-it-actually-kills-bacteria radio show, “A Prairie Home Companion.”

– Knight Ridder Newspapers

Portman takes a little off

“Star Wars” actress Natalie Portman stunned the Cannes Film Festival Sunday with a new look, reports Scotsman.com.

The 23-year-old beauty has shaved off her hair in preparation for her next role as a freedom fighter in the film “V for Vendetta.”

Her new cut drew gasps from onlookers as she arrived on the Riviera ahead of the world premiere of the sixth and final “Star Wars” movie, “Episode III: Revenge of the Sith.”

Portman was joined on the red carpet by costars Hayden Christensen and Samuel L. Jackson, together with director George Lucas.

– Knight Ridder Newspapers

‘Palau’ props up on eBay

NEW YORK (AP) – Props and memorabilia from CBS’ “Survivor: Palau” are being auctioned to benefit the Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation.

The charity listings will run on eBay through May 28, the foundation announced Monday.

“Each time someone bids … they are ensuring a healthier future for children all over the world,” said “Survivor” executive producer Mark Burnett, who is a foundation board member.

“I am proud that the “Survivor’ series has been able to help raise awareness of the foundation’s critical efforts and provide vital funding,” Burnett said in a statement. “To date the partnership has raised more than $1.3 million.”

More than 300 items will be up for bid, with new items added daily. Items include the immunity necklace and immunity idol; the voting urn; Koror and Ulong tribal flags and banners; signed memorabilia from the contestants; and original props and puzzles from the “Survivor: Palau” challenges.

New York City firefighter Tom Westman won the $1 million prize. His victory on the competitive reality show was announced Sunday night.

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On the web

www.Survivor-Auction.com

www.pedaids.org/

www.cbs.com/