Happy Birthday to:

Country singer LeAnn Rimes (1982)

Happy Birthday to country singer LeAnn Rimes (1982), "King Kong" actor Jack Black (1969), "90210" star Jason Priestley (1969), Scottish actor Billy Boyd (1968), Canadian country singer Shania Twain (1965), actress Amanda Tapping (1965), daytime actress Emma Samms (1960), "City Slickers" actor Daniel Stern (1957), baseball player/manager Lou Piniella (1943), actor David Soul (1943), Velvet Underground guitarist Sterling Morrison (1942; d. 1995), actor Ben Gazzara (1930), and Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy (1828; d. 1910).

Sean Connery has laughed off reports a health scare was to blame for his no-show at a Scottish event in New York on Monday, insisting he was just undergoing a check-up. The former James Bond actor, 76, was scheduled to be the guest of honor at the Dressed To Kilt party, which was attended by celebrity guests including Lord Of The Rings star Billy Boyd and singer Sandi Thom.

Happy Birthday to country singer LeAnn Rimes (1982), "King Kong" actor Jack Black (1969), "90210" star Jason Priestley (1969), Scottish actor Billy Boyd (1968), Canadian country singer Shania Twain (1965), actress Amanda Tapping (1965), daytime actress Emma Samms (1960), "City Slickers" actor Daniel Stern (1957), baseball player/manager Lou Piniella (1943), actor David Soul (1943), Velvet Underground guitarist Sterling Morrison (1942; d. 1995), actor Ben Gazzara (1930), and Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy (1828; d. 1910).

The Lord Of The Rings star Billy Boyd is taking a break from acting to pursue a career in rock. The Scottish actor, who played Pippin in the blockbuster trilogy, insists music has always been his number one priority. Now, following the April birth of his son Jack, Boyd is keen to stay at home to write new tracks for his band Angels Share.

Scottish screen star Billy Boyd's partner Ali McKinnon gave birth to their first child on Wednesday, April 26. Boyd's son weighed in at six pounds 10 ounces, and mother and baby are doing well.

Elijah Wood wanted to reprise his role as a hobbit in King Kong but had to shelve the idea because his fellow Lord of the Ring stars were too busy. The 25-year-old was in discussions with director Peter Jackson about the trio of hobbits making a cameo appearance in the giant ape drama, but co-stars Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd were working on other projects.