NEW YORK (AP) - After directing 1995's ''The Brothers McMullen,'' Ed Burns was seen as a rising star. People pegged the young actor and independent filmmaker as the next Woody Allen.

Music mogul Simon Cowell personally donated a six-figure sum to American Idol's Idol Gives Back charity spectacular last week, which raised more than $60 million for African and American children in need.

Happy Birthday to modern blues prodigy Jonny Lang (1981), "Party of Five" actor Andrew Keegan (1979), actress Sara Gilbert (1975), Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me star Heather Graham (1970), "The Punisher" star Thomas Jane (1969), actor Edward Burns (1968), actor Nicholas Turturro (1962), Olympic diver Greg Louganis (1960), American model Gia Carangi (1960; d. 1986), talk show host Oprah Winfrey (1954), actress Ann Jillian (1950), Canadian actor Mark Singer (1948), "Magnum P.I." star Tom Selleck (1945), "Dynasty" actor John Forsythe (1918), original "hunk" Victor Mature (1913; d. 1999), American actor W.C. Fields (1880; d. 1946), and 25th President of the United States William McKinley (1843; d. 1901).

Steven Spielberg is turning his attention to high fashion and developing a TV series with supermodel Christy Turlington and her husband, actor Ed Burns. The couple is attached to write a drama series set in the fashion world and based on an idea from Spielberg, who came up with the concept after attending New York's fashion week.

Edward Burns hates watching video footage of his post-wedding first dance with supermodel Christy Turlington because neither the bride nor the groom put their best foot forward. The actor/writer admits both looked "equally inept" as they took to the dancefloor after the glitzy 2003 wedding.

Happy Birthday to modern blues prodigy Jonny Lang (1981), "Party of Five" actor Andrew Keegan (1979), actress Sara Gilbert (1975), "Emily's Reasons Why Not" star Heather Graham (1970), "The Punisher" star Thomas Jane (1969), actor Edward Burns (1968), actor Nicholas Turturro (1962), Olympic diver Greg Louganis (1960), American model Gia Carangi (1960; d. 1986), talk show host Oprah Winfrey (1954), actress Ann Jillian (1950), Canadian actor Mark Singer (1948), "Magnum P.I." star Tom Selleck (1945), "Dynasty" actor John Forsythe (1918), original "hunk" Victor Mature (1913; d. 1999), American actor W.C. Fields (1880; d. 1946), and 25th President of the United States William McKinley (1843; d. 1901).