Young Hollywood/Getty Images Manny Pacquaio the next Hollywood heavyweight? We’ll see!
Forget the middleweight title and bring on the Oscars.
While debate continues over whether Manny Pacquiao will ever cut through enough red tape to book a bout with Floyd Mayweather Jr., the Filipino fighter’s wife already has her eyes on her husband’s next gig: acting.
Jinkee Pacquiao told Confidenti@l that her 36-year-old hubby has the right stuff for a shot at Hollywood. At the L.A. premiere of “Manny” — the documentary charting Pacquiao’s rise from the streets to boxing’s elite — the fighter’s wife declared that “In God’s time he will be a Hollywood star. He has that charisma.”
Not surprisingly, Jinkee, 36, sees her hard-hitting hubby as an action hero. “Sometimes he watches Jet Li films,” she said. “Last night we watched ‘Taken 3.’ He loves Liam Neeson.”
STEVE MARCUS/REUTERS Jinkee Pacquaio says hubby would be a perfect fit for Hollywood.
She said she would love to see Manny star alongside Neeson in a “Taken 4.” And considering Neeson narrated “Manny,” which hit theaters nationwide Friday, a rematch between the two stars wouldn’t be out of the question.
“I am looking forward to that,” she said.
The mild-mannered Manny remained more modest about his Hollywood aspirations “You never know,” he told Confidenti@l. “Whatever is God’s will — it will be done. I am thankful that my documentary film is showing in Hollywood.”
It wouldn’t surprise anyone to see the 5-foot-7, 140-pound pugilist add “Hollywood star” to his impressive résumé. In addition to being one of the world’s most celebrated prizefighters, Manny has served in the Philippine House of Representatives, recorded an album, played for and coached a pro basketball team in his home country and managed his way through a few TV cameos and small budget foreign films.
“Manny” director Ryan Moore thinks the subject of his new doc is capable of playing more than just himself.
“Manny has a charisma and presence on screen which would make a him a huge star,” he said. It was Moore who persuaded Neeson to narrate the documentary, who said the film’s star and narrator were never in the same room.
“The crazy thing is Liam Neeson to this day hasn’t met Manny,” Moore said. “So what I do is record videos every now and again of Manny saying ‘hi’ to him.”
Producer Adi Shankar, who worked with Neeson on “The Grey,” said if Manny wants to be in films, all he has to do is ask — right after he beats a fighter who’s never been defeated in 47 bouts. “He has a charisma that makes him a total film star,” said Shankar. “After he beats Floyd Mayweather, I would give him a three-picture deal.”
KELLY AND DOLAN DO TABLE TALK
Former New York Police Commissioner Ray Kelly sat down for a friendly dinner last week with Timothy Cardinal Dolan at Vivolo’s on the Upper East Side, a spy at the restaurant tells Confidenti@l. After chatting alone for a bit, Kelly’s television news anchor son, Greg Kelly, joined the duo. “(There was) lots of laughter heard,” said the eavesdropper. Kelly was recently plucked by Gov. Cuomo to conduct a terrorism preparedness audit of state agencies.
BRUCE TRIES A NEW SPIN
Way to rise above it all, Bruce Jenner. The athlete, tormented by tabloid rumors of an upcoming gender change, took to the skies and started helicopter flight training with son Brandon, 33, who posted a Facebook photo of them in the chopper.
Mark Metcalfe/Getty Images Tyra Banks says she loves getting foot rubs. Gregg DeGuire/WireImage Gwyneth Paltrow raves that Johnny Depp is ‘brilliant and special.” Jose Perez / Splash News/Jose Perez / Splash News Kevin Bacon is in the middle of the action on set of “The Following.”
Previous Next
Enlarge
SUNDANCE PARTY’S HIDDEN CAST
Recognizing VIPs at Monday’s Midnight Masquerade bash at Sundance won’t be easy, but Confidenti@l has learned that Cynthia Nixon, Anthony Michael Hall, “The Jersey Devil” star Keith Collins and RJ Mitte from “Breaking Bad” have RSVP’d to the shindig and “expected guests” include Robert Redford and Nick Nolte. The annual costume fete is presented by the the Louisiana Film Festival at Sundance.
ALL-STAR POLO
Ralph Lauren’s ultra-exclusive Polo Bar has the hottest tables in town with New York’s A-listers clamoring for a seat at the chic eatery. Spotted this week at the new Fifth Ave. hotspot club were Jon Bon Jovi and his wife, Dorothea, dining with George Stephanopoulos and Ali Wentworth. Also there: Nicolas Sarkozy ex Cécilia Attias; Jay McInerney; Kelly Ripa and husband Mark Consuelos with Ellen Barkin; and Lee Radziwill and Donny Deutsch with newly single Wendi Murdoch. On Wednesday night, Allison Williams and fiancé Ricky Van Veen dined with her TV mom, Rita Wilson, and her husband, Tom Hanks.
IME OUT! Where’s the litter box? The second annual Kitten Bowl is back, and of course being hosted by sexy cat lady Beth Stern. The combo of cute kitties and Howard Stern’s wife made such a smash hit last year at Hallmark Channel that it’s back with even more cathletes, Beth (below) tells Confidenti@l.
“It’s bigger and better than last year. There were 70 kittens last year; this year there are 92 kittens, and all have since been adopted,” she says.
We hear there’s also a “pub” where older cats with Kitten Bowl tickets can hang out and watch the game, and that they’ve all been adopted too. (The game was taped ahead of the actual Super Bowl, which will be played on Feb. 1.)
This year was celeb-packed as well, with Kevin Nealon, Howard 100 news reporter Lisa “G” Glasberg, Regis Philbin, Maria Menounos and Mario Lopez stopping by.
How did they control the feisty kitties? “Laser pointers and catnip,” laughed Beth. “There were catfights and hanging on the goal post,” says Beth, who now has done over 100 kitten rescues on her own, with placements in loving families.
All Access Photo/Splash News/All Access Photo/Splash News Gigi Hadid takes L.A. by storm in a body-hugging Calvin Klein dress at the Daily Front Row Fashion Los Angeles Awards. All Access Photo/Splash News/All Access Photo/Splash News Kerry Washington shows fashionistas who’s boss in a Boss by Jason Wu ensemble at a Sunset Tower fashion show in L.A.
Previous Next
Enlarge
USHER SHOWING FUZZY THINKING
Still trying to make his fur hat a thing, Usher stepped out in Tribeca for a business meeting this week, looking cozy. The 36-year-old Grammy winner recently shared the happy news that he’s engaged to his manager, Grace Miguel, who is eight years his senior. The couple have been working together for three years.
BRINGING IN THE BACON
If looking far too good for your age is a crime, then the NYPD nabbed the right guy. While shooting a scene from his crime show “The Following,” the handsome Kevin Bacon, 56, found himself face down on the pavement in New York while actors dressed as cops gave him the ol’ pat-down. The Fox show returns for season three on March 2.
BEY & JAY GOING COURTIN’
All is fun and games in the Carter house, at least judging by the big smiles on Beyoncé and Jay Z during Thursday night’s Nets vs. Clippers game at Staples Center in L.A. Beyoncé, who sparked pregnancy rumors after posting an Instagram photo with a pile of sand on her stomach, sipped on a clear drink with lime.
CELEBS ARE SOLE MATES
What do Tyra Banks, Steven Tyler and Jim Carrey have in ¬common? The model, rock star and actor/comedian all love getting foot rubs. The three recently hit the popular BAO Foot Spa in Beverly Hills for soothing foot massages, one spy tells Confidenti@l. “They’re all very ¬devoted to it and they love to decompress. Demi Moore is also a client and she likes to get massages,” says our regular at the spa, who’s spotted all the celebrities mentioned above.
GWYN STILL FEELS DEPP CHARGE
At least one person out there was impressed with Johnny Depp’s performance in “Mortdecai.” “He’s so brilliant and so special,” Gwyneth Paltrow told us at the Los Angeles premiere. “What he’s capable of is really breathtaking.” She continued to sing his praises: “He is the original cool Hollywood movie star of his generation, with his tattoos and his little cigarettes and guitar.” And general weirdness.
Daily News – Gossip