Entertainment Briefs

HPA—Hutchins Photo
FILE PHOTO: Halle Berry at the 16th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball at the Private Estate on June 3

‘Hamilton’ creator issues musical riposte 
to immigration debate
“Hamilton” creator Lin-Manuel Miranda on Wednesday released what he called a “musical counterweight” to the U.S. political debate on immigration, inspired by one of the best-known lines from his Broadway musical. The video “Immigrants (We Get the Job Done)” portrays refugees and immigrants from around the world and is accompanied by a new song, set to rap lyrics, about their struggles, setbacks and contributions to society.
Michelle Rodriguez,
 Halle Berry, speak out 
on diversity, women in film
Halle Berry, the only black woman to ever win a best actress Oscar, said her 2002 win turned out to be meaningless, and “Fast and Furious” star Michelle Rodriguez warned she may quit the action movie franchise unless filmmakers “show some love for women.” Their comments proved a reality check for women in Hollywood even as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said it invited 298 more women to join its ranks in a bid to improve diversity at the Oscars.
Actor Johnny Galecki says worth living in rural California despite burned ranch
A ranch belonging to “Big Bang Theory” star Johnny Galecki has burned down in a California wildfire but the actor said living in the area was worth it despite the risk of fires. Galecki, 42, who plays nerdy experimental physicist Leonard Hofstadter in the hit TV comedy series, was not at home on Monday when the brush fire consumed his ranch in countryside near San Luis Obispo in central California.