UPI VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 02.05.08

Robert De Niro campaigns for Obama.

Stars are stepping out on the campaign trail to show support for presidential candidates. Robert DeNiro joined Democratic hopeful Barack Obama on stage yesterday at a rally in New Jersey. The actor said Obama has inspired him and is the one person he believes can bring change to the U.S. The Illinois Senator has also had continued support from Oprah Winfrey. Other celebrity endorsements came from Jack Nicholson...he announced his support for Hillary Clinton on a morning radio show yesterday.

Britney Spears' father is staying in control of her wealth for now. A Los Angeles court ruled yesterday to keep Jamie Spears as the conservator of her affairs...which apparently includes her 40 million dollar fortune. Her Dad will hold onto control until the pop star is healthy. This comes after a Spears lawyer argued against the decision. He said the pop star was strongly opposed to the decision, fearing it may cause more tension and estrangement.

Heath Ledger's family is now back home in Australia after an emotional week. The actor's father Kim and other relatives reportedly solemnly walked through an airport in Perth yesterday. Ledger's family was in Los Angeles for several memorial services in honor of the actor. He'll now apparently be buried in a family plot near the family's home. Ledger was found dead in his Manhattan apartment last month. The cause of death is still unknown.

Sean "Diddy" Combs is taking on acting and producing in a new made for TV film. He stars and was the executive producer for "A Raisin in the Sun"...a film version of a 1959 Broadway play. The actor attended the premiere for the new release last night in New York. His co-stars Phylicia Rashad and Audra McDonald were also at last night's event. "A Raisin in the Sun" will air on ABC February 25.

Amy Winehouse apparently still plans on making an appearance at the Grammy Awards. The singer reportedly took a break from rehab to visit the U.S. Embassy in London...She was accompanied by her father and a nurse from the facility. Her rep says she was looking to get a Visa in order to attend the Award ceremony on Sunday. Winehouse is nominated in six categories. The singer checked into rehab for substance abuse treatment last month.

UPI VIDEO ENTERTAINMENT NEWS 12.10.07

Oprah campaigns for Obama.

Talk show host Oprah Winfrey is showing her support for Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama. Winfrey spoke at a campaign event in Iowa over the weekend. She expressed her strong belief in Obama's capabilities to change the country for the better. This is Winfrey's first time campaigning for a presidential hopeful. She says it's the first time she felt compelled to stand up and show support.

Backstreet Boy Howie Dorough has tied the knot. People magazine says he married his girlfriend of about 7 years Leigh Boniello. The pair apparently said their vows in Dorough's hometown of Orlando, Florida. The singer proposed to Boniello last New Years in front of friends and family.

"The Golden Compass" topped U.S. box offices over the weekend. The fantasy thriller starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig took the number one spot in theaters, bringing in more than 26 million dollars in ticket sales. Number two was Disney's "Enchanted starring Amy Adams and Patrick Dempsey. The holiday film "This Christmas" landed in third.

Production workers are calling for an end to the Writer's Guild strike. Workers involved in TV and film marched in Los Angeles over the weekend to fight for their jobs back. They want negotiations between the Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers to continue. These production workers are not part of the strike, but many have lost their jobs as a result.

Stars flooded a Hollywood red carpet last night for the premiere of a new romantic comedy. Oscar award winning actress Hillary Swank stars in "P.S. I Love You," as well as Girard Butler and Lisa Kudrow. The film is about a widow trying to get her life back together. Other stars like singer James Blunt and actress Mary Louise-Parker made it to the premiere as well. The film hits theaters December 21.