Universal Studios

Randolph Mantooth Dies at 80, Star of 'Emergency!' and 'Loving'

Randolph Mantooth, best known for his role as paramedic John Gage on the iconic TV series 'Emergency!', has died at the age of 80. Mantooth was born in Sacramento, California, and discovered his passion for acting during high school. He later earned a scholarship to the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York City, where he received the prestigious Charles Jehliger Award. Mantooth's career took off after he was discovered by a Universal Studios talent agent while performing in a production of 'Philadelphia, Here I Come!'. He went on to become a television star with 'Emergency!', which ran for six seasons and made him a household name. Mantooth also reprised his role as John Gage in various other shows, cartoons, and merchandise. He partnered with real-life pal Kevin Tighe (Roy DeSoto) on the popular NBC series, then did lots of soap operas. Mantooth passed away on July 9 in Ventura, California, at the age of 80. 'Emergency!' introduced the profession of paramedics to the public when it first aired in the 1970s. Mantooth also appeared on several soap operas, including 'As the World Turns', 'One Life to Live', and 'The City'.

TV Insider

Liz Meriwether Adapting Britney Spears Memoir for Universal

Liz Meriwether, a four-time Emmy nominee, is adapting Britney Spears' memoir 'The Woman in Me' into a screenplay for Universal. The project is being produced by Marc Platt, known for his work on 'Wicked,' and directed by Jon M. Chu. Universal secured the rights to the memoir in August 2024. Chu was initially involved in writing the screenplay before Meriwether took on the role. The film is expected to be a biographical account of Spears' life and career.

Deadline

Minions and Monsters Has Tepid U.S. Opening as Young Washington Impresses

The U.S. box office saw a muted performance over the July 4th holiday weekend, with Universal and Illumination’s 'Minions and Monsters' underperforming. In contrast, the indie film 'Young Washington' from Angel Studios received a solid reception. Meanwhile, Comcast's Sky has announced a deal to acquire the U.K. broadcaster ITV, signaling a major move in the media industry. The acquisition is expected to expand Sky's influence in the British market and strengthen its content offerings.

Variety

China Box Office: 'Minions & Monsters' Leads as 'Keep Real' Debut

Universal's 'Minions & Monsters' topped the China box office during the July 3–5 weekend, earning RMB111.5 million ($16.4 million), according to Artisan Gateway data. Taopiaopiao's sci-fi comedy 'Keep Real' opened in second place, grossing $10.5 million over the same period. The film's performance includes early preview screenings. The box office results highlight the competitive landscape of the Chinese cinema market. Both films represent different genres, showcasing the diversity of current releases.

Variety