Celebrity Poker Player: Paul Wesley

For the past few years, the world has seen a diverse selection of celebrities who have graced the different poker tables all over the globe. We've already seen singers, comedians, character actors as well as the other types of people who have reached the celebrity status play poker at an elevated level of competition. 

The events such as Bravo's television show "Celebrity Poker Showdown" allows the television audience to see the extra talent these celebrity poker players have in playing poker.

One of the most popular Hollywood celebrity star that come to the minds of the television audience when it comes to television action is Paul Wesley. He has already appeared in numerous action roles as well as some other roles that perfectly fit his personality as a tough individual.

Paul Thomas Wasilewski or simply Paul Wesley grew up in Marlboro, New Jersey. His parents, Agnieszka and Thomas Wasilewski, moved to the U.S. from Poland just before his birth. Paul has one older sister named Monika and two younger sisters, Julia and Leah. 

 

Paul Wesley attended Christian Brothers Academy and Marlboro High School for a short time before being cast in Guiding Light in his junior year. His role on the show forced him to transfer to Lakewood Prep School, which accommodated his busy acting schedule. 

After graduating in 2000, Paul Wesley attended Rutgers University for one semester. With his parents support, he left after he realized he could make a career of acting. 

 

In 2005 Paul Wesley changed his last name to “Wesley” due to the fact that “Wasilewski” was too hard to pronounce. Paul Wesley enjoys playing poker, ice hockey and snowboarding as well as having an interest in writing and directing.

Paul Wesley first landed a role in the soap Guiding Light as Max Nickerson. He has also made appearances on the television shows Army Wives, 24, Smallville, The O.C., 8 Simple Rules, Wolf Lake, Cane, American Dreams, Everwood, and Law &; Order: Special Victims Unit. 

As far as movies go, he has had roles in Peaceful Warrior, Roll Bounce, and Cloud 9, Fallen, and Killer Movie. Paul Wesley is probably best known for his role as Stefan Salvatore on the hit CW show The Vampire Diaries.

Paul Wesley's TV series Fallen is a 2006 ABC Family miniseries based on the novel series The Fallen, broken into three parts. The first part was originally advertised as an “ABC Family Original Movie”, but nearly a year later, it was followed up with two other parts of equal length over the course of a weekend.

Fallen stars Paul Wesley as Aaron Corbett, a good-natured high school student who discovers he is a Nephilim, human-angel hybrid. An alternate reality game advertising the series has won an interactive Emmy.

He is engaged to his Killer Movie co-star Torrey DeVitto. Paul Wesley is currently starring in Lifetime’s Army Wives as the soldier boyfriend of Emmalin Holden.

Here's a little treat for those fans who are feeling lost on this Thursday night since their favorite vampire show is officially on summer break. Paul Wesley, Nina Dobrev and Ian Somerhalder of 'The Vampire Diaries' were in New York City today to attend the CW "Upfront" at Madison Square Garden.

The only show reportedly cancelled by the network was 'Melrose Place'. The network added 2 new shows ('Hellcats' & 'Nikita') and moved a few of the others (like 'Supernatural') around to new nights.

MONDAY

8 p.m. "90210" (New Night)

9 p.m. "Gossip Girl"

TUESDAY

8 p.m. "One Tree Hill" (New Night)

9 p.m. "Life Unexpected" (New Night)

WEDNESDAY

8 p.m. "America's Next Top Model"

9 p.m. "HELLCATS"

THURSDAY

8 p.m. "The Vampire Diaries"

9 p.m. "NIKITA"

FRIDAY

8 p.m. "Smallville"

9 p.m. "Supernatural" (New Night)

Are you surprised that Melrose Place was cut? Are you okay with them switching around days and times of the other shows?

Celebrity Poker: Woody Harrelson

Woody Harrelson could so easily have remained the adorable goof behind America’s favorite bar forever. It’s hard to believe now, but for a while playing Woody Boyd on the sitcom Cheers seemed like the summit of Harrelson’s career. But the Texas-born yearling made quick work of landing choice film roles in Hollywood after the iconic Boston bar shut down operations in 1993.

Woody Harrelson went from starring in one of the most violent, experimental, and relentlessly criticized films of the 1990s Oliver Stone’s Natural Born Killers to starring in one of the most violent, experimental, and universally praised films of the the Coen brothers’ No Country for Old Men in 2007, with an Oscar-nominated turn as Hustler magazine publisher Larry Flynt in Milos Forman’s The People vs. Larry Flynt in between. 

 

Celebrity poker player Woody Harrelson has had an unpredictable, brilliantly bipolar career that no one—let alone the actor himself—could have anticipated. A handful of his roles in new films are equally disparate: Woody Harrelson plays a gratuitous, slapstick zombie-slayer in the satirical walking-dead comedy Zombieland; a loose-cannon doomsday prophet in the upcoming disaster epic 2012; and a casualty notification officer in the somber military drama The Messenger. It’s this last film, though, that Woody Harrelson seems to have particularly treated as a labor of love. He talks to his friend and poker partner Owen Wilson about The Messenger, as well as speeding, losing at poker, jumping out at roommates, and a number of other eccentricities he’s managed to pick up over the years.

OWEN WILSON: Hey, buddy.

WOODY HARRELSON: Hey.

WILSON: Where are you?

HARRELSON: I’m in the beloved state of Hawaii. Maui.

WILSON: Where?

HARRELSON: I’m at your house. [laughs] No, I’m up in my house.

WILSON: Sounds like you’ve had a good run of poker there. Last you said, you won three games in a row?

HARRELSON: Yeah, three times in a row. That never happens. But I’m also managing to pull the chute a little earlier and get the hell out before I give it all back and start writing chits.

WILSON: That’s always been the scouting report on you in poker: Not a lot of discipline. So I’m glad to see that you’re learning how to walk away.

HARRELSON: Yeah, I’ve got to look at your scouting report sometime.

WILSON: We’re probably the two worst players in that Maui poker game.

HARRELSON: It’s not that. We’re just the most trusting.

WILSON: We’re the most optimistic, the most hopeful.

HARRELSON: We believe in our own luck.

WILSON: It’s such a cast of characters that play in that Maui poker game. I remember our one friend saying it looked like the bar scene from Star Wars.

HARRELSON: Those guys are scoundrels, man. They sit there and pick you clean.

About Woody Harrelson: Woody Harrelson is quickly becoming America’s most versatile actor. Since getting his big break as dimwitted bartender Woody Boyd in 1985, this cagey star has convincingly played everything from a murderous psychopath to a crippled porn magnate to a lasso-wielding cowboy. And he’s done it with panache, infusing all of his characters with an authenticity seldom seen in American cinema. It’s little wonder then that he’s been nominated for a pair of Oscars and Golden Globes and has won an Emmy, an American Comedy Award, an MTV Movie Award, and an NBR from The National Board of Review. 

Woody Harrelson picked up right where he left off in 1994 with starring roles in three films including I’ll Do Anything, The Cowboy Way and Natural Born Killers. Although the first two films received little attention, Natural Born Killers became an international phenomenon, thanks to its use of gratuitous violence and its biting condemnation of mass media. 

 Woody Harrelson returned to more standard fare over the next two years in the entertaining buddy comedies Money Train in 1995 and Kingpin in 1996 before breaking the mold yet again in 1996 as the titular porn magnate in The People vs. Larry Flynt. The provocative film was a huge hit with critics and earned Harrelson his first Oscar nomination for Best Actor in a Leading Role. 

 

Woody Harrelson rounded out the decade with performances in a dizzying array of films. He played an emotionally disturbed military prisoner in Wag the Dog in 1997, an unlucky ex-con in Palmetto in 1998, a battle-hardened sergeant in The Thin Red Line in 1998), an opportunistic screw-up in Edtv in 1999 and an aging boxer in Play it to the Bone in 1999). He also picked up his sixth Emmy Award nomination in 1999 after reuniting with his Cheers cast mate Kelsey Grammer for a hilarious episode of Frasier. In fact, Harrelson enjoyed his brief return to the small screen so much that he signed on to play Debra Messing's boyfriend, Nathan, in seven episodes of Will and Grace in 2001. 

Woody Harrelson has continued to show off his versatility in recent years by playing a lasso-swinging cowboy in A Prairie Home Companion in 2006, an ambitionless junkie in A Scanner Darkly in 2006, a prim male escort in The Walker in 2007, a washed-up basketball player in Semi-Pro in 2008, a blind piano player in Seven Pounds in 2008, a bounty hunter in No Country for Old Men in 2007, Management with Jennifer Aniston and Steve Zahn, 2012 an enthusiastic slayer of the undead in the surprise hit Zombieland in 2009 and his heroic movie Defendor.

The Poker Baywatch: Traci Bingham

Traci Bingham first appeared on the radar screen for most people when she portrayed Jordon Tate on the show Baywatch. It was here where she crossed a racial barrier. Traci was the first African American to don the red bathing suit of a Baywatch lifeguard. This wasn't exactly Jackie Robinson stepping on to the diamond at Dodger Field for the first time, but it got the attention of many of us. What will probably come as a mild surprise to most is that Traci Bingham is a young lady with a Harvard education.




Beginning her post high school academic career at Cuyahoga Community College in Cleveland, Ohio Traci showed exceptional flair. She then went on to the prestigious Ivy League University. The acting bug got under her skin though, and she dropped out of Harvard to pursue a career in front of the camera. Harvard's loss is our gain.

Since opting out of a Harvard degree, Traci has appeared in literally dozens of projects. Most of her time has been spent working on ventures for television, but she has popped up in a few feature films as well. She has also turned more than her share of heads with a high profile appearance in playboy.

The online casino site Empire Poker has tapped former ''Baywatch" star Traci Bingham to be the website's new spokesgirl. The Cambridge native's likeness will be used in conjunction with Empire Poker on its website and all media events. ''Traci will be seen at high profile venues such as red carpet events and poker tournaments wearing Empire Poker gear," the company said in a release.

Recently Traci Bingham has joined forces with Empire Poker. Like many other celebrities today she has found herself gravitating towards the game of Texas Hold'em, and the move to Empire Poker just became a natural fit. Traci will be appearing at poker events, like the World Poker Tour and World Series of Poker, as well as number of other high-profile events wearing the Empire Poker gear. She will also be appearing in their print and television ads. It is beginning to look like trading her red bathing suit in for an Empire Poker T-shirt is one of the best moves this young lady has ever made.

About Traci Bingham: Traci's fame from Baywatch led to small-time hosting gigs on shows like Candid Camera and MTV's Bikini Beach Party. But prior to that, she also appeared in small roles on The Cosby Show, Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and The Young & The Restless, among others.

Just when things were getting red hot for Traci with her 1998 spread for Play.boy, she was taken out of the Baywatch script by the time her issue was released. That didn't stop Traci from keeping busy though, as she added modeling to her resume and has appeared on a slew of magazine covers, and took on small television roles in Sin City Spectacular, The Jamie Foxx Show, Strip Mall, Malcolm & Eddie, The Parkers, as well as occupying a square on the game show, Hollywood Squares.

Source: launchpoker

Wrestler And Poker Player: John Cena

John Cena prepares for a day at work by spending hours in a gym, sucking down protein shakes, and learning how to pose with authority. When he gets to the office, a regular part of his day is dodging masked men who are flying off the ropes of a wrestling wring, and getting dropped on his head by three-hundred pound “sports entertainment” personalities. It is only natural that in his off hours he would seek recreation that didn’t involve a concussion or massive blood loss.

John Cena is one of the top wrestlers in Vince McMahon’s World Wrestling Entertainment Empire. In an interview with Bluff Magazine, he exposed himself as a poker addict with World Series of Poker aspirations.

When asked about whether he would want to play at the WSOP he stated “I love that the World Series is open to everyone who wants to play. I know it’s definitely possible for a lesser-skilled amateur to make it deep into a tournament, and that’s a treat. At the same time, I’d actually like to go to the tournament a couple of times as a spectator. Really get the aura and feel of the place before throwing my hat into the ring. To be honest with you, it looks like a lot of chaos, which may take some time to adjust to.”

It would be no surprise to see this talented performer show up and do well on some of pokers biggest stages. He has been a success in everything he has ever done. Not only has he reached the sort of popularity in wrestling that earns one the World Championship Belt, but he has also had a successful rap CD, starred in the movie “Marine”, and has appeared on a number of television shows.

While his size and strength will do him little good at the poker table, we look for great things out of this superb celebrity wrestler.

About John Cena: On June 27, 2002 in Smackdown edition, John Cena started his wrestling career by accepting Kurt Angle's open challenge. John Cena mesmerized the wrestling world by dominating Kurt Angle but lost his wrestling match to Kurt Angle. John Cena offered shake hand to Kurt Angle but Kurt Angle rejected his shake hand.

He turned up to WWE RAW tapings 3 hours after having neck surgery. John Cena also intoduced the WWE spinner belt for 2 different belts.

Last On September 13, 2009 at Breaking Point, John Cena faced Randy Orton in an I Quit match for WWE Championship. John Cena was destroyed in several ways by Randy Orton but rejected to say I Quit. John Cena Succesfully became a new WWE Champion.

Also last september 14, 2009 in the Raw edition at the backstage, Josh Mathews interviewed new WWE Champion Randy Orton about Randy Orton’s punishment. John Cena seriously considered what Randy Orton did him last night.

However, John Cena decided to punish inside a Cell at Hell in a Cell pay per view. John Cena said thanks to Trish Stratus for this rematch. John Cena appeared in Batista's last match with Randy Orton, when Randy Orton tried to escape from Batista, Cena attacked Randy Orton to take a vengeance over Orton.

Singer Gone Poker Player: Macy Gray

The poker world has changed in other ways, too. Not only are more women playing cards now than ever before, but the new breed of celebrity poker player is Natalie Hinds a.ka. Macy Gray.

Away from them, and work, she unwinds by playing tennis and poker. "One of my friends in LA - whom I had better not name - has a poker game every other Friday and I never miss it.

"I love it! it's very social and I love to gamble. It's a brain game and I am working on it. Yeah, I am pretty smart," she says with a grin.

Macy Gray also appeared on the popular poker reality TV show the Celebrity Poker Showdown where she played with Jennifer Tilly, Brett Butler and Andy Dick for Habitat For Humanity.

Macy Gray was recently reported as saying that if she ever stopped creating music, she would like to become either a pimp or a professional poker player. The talented singer told Rolling Stone magazine that she could see herself pimping, despite the fact that such an occupation is difficult and sometimes even dangerous.

Gray's secondary occupation of choice, when her hits will stop coming, is playing professional poker. The R&B star reportedly said that, although now she was not good in poker as she would have wanted to be, she still managed to make money despite her current level of play.

40-year-old Gray, born Natalie Renee McIntyre, is also a prominent songwriter and producer. Thus far, Gray has released four studio albums, one live album as well as one compilation album. In 2005, the poker-playing singer established a music academy called The Macy Gray Music Academy where underprivileged children receive the opportunity to hone their performing skills.

In addition to her impressive musical credentials, Gray has found the time to become an accomplished and busy actress. Her first acting job was with no less than Denzel Washington in 2001’s Training Day. Since then she has starred in such movies as Spider-Man, Scary Movie 3, Lackawanna Blues, Domino and most recently Déjà Vu (again with Denzel Washington), for which she also performs “Coming Back to You” for the movie’s soundtrack.

“I’ve had a ball,” she said. “I’ve been lucky that I’ve gotten some really good roles. Working with Denzel was a lot of fun.” Although she has recently been focused on recording, she says she’ll be back to the movies soon. “I took a break from the movies so I could work on my record, but when I go out on tour I’ll be taking some scripts with me.” She has also made television appearances in Ally McBeal, That’s So Raven and Blue’s Clues, to name just a few.

Macy Gray has a clothing line, The Natalie Hinds Collection by Macy Gray, a men’s fashion collection called SNAC, and she will soon launch a joint fashion venture with Interscope Records for curvaceous women called HUMPS.

Rihanna & J.T. Do "Rehab"

Rihanna - New Music - More Music Videos

They look so good together! Looves it!

Angelina Gets Emotional

When asked how her late mother Marcheline influenced her latest role in the film The Changeling at a London press conference, this was Angelina's response: 

And The Axe Goes To -

Sadness this week as NBC's Lipstick Jungle has been canceled! I hate to say goodbye to Victory, Nico, and Wendy. Only in its sophomore year, the show has taken us through death, adultery, heartbreak, date nights in NYC's hotspots, many a laugh and a steamy scene, and a slight familiar resemblance to Sex and the City. Goodbye girls, you will be missed!

Another Season, Another Breakup

Bachelorette star DeAnna Pappas and her fiance Jesse Csincsak have broken up. Csincsak revealed in a video on their website that Pappas was the one responsible for calling off the engagment a couple of days ago.

"DeAnna broke up with me two days ago, and I just wanted to come on here and tell you guys face-to-face. I'm sorry, I did everything in my power to try and make this work. She's a great person, but she wasn’t willing to try anymore. She wanted something different. The answer I got was, 'I love you, but I'm not in love with you.' That's a lot to swallow, no matter who you are," he says. "It's a lot to take in."

Heather Locklear Arrested

Heather Locklear was arrested on Saturday for suspicion of driving under the influence, according to reports.

The actress was pulled over while driving in Santa Barbara. She was held in Santa Barbara County Jail and released without having to post bail.

Locklear recently spent time in an Arizona facility where she was treated for anxiety and depression. She is currently in a custody battle with her ex-husband Richie Sambora who was arrested on a DUI charge in March 2008.

*Splash

Remembering Paul Newman

This is a very sad day for entertainment. Paul Newman passed away surrounded by loved ones at his Connecticut Home. The actor, philanthropist, and legend was 83 years old.

Hollywood will remember his long, successful career which included roles in the films Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, and the Color of Money. He was nominated for an Oscar ten times. Newman is also known for creating his own food empire, Newman's Own. His company has donated over $250 million dollars to charities personally selected by the actor.

Newman was the picture of class and honor. He was married to actress Joanne Woodward.

*WireImage

Quote of the Day

"I was glad to hear it... I thought it was really sweet. That really brought a big smile to my face." - Heidi Montag, referring to Lauren's comments about missing her former bff on a recent Hills episode.

- Erin Dustin

Swag Bag Goodies

There's a great giveaway going on at GlamScene. All you have to do is leave on comment on this GlamScene post and you'll automatically be entered to win great goodies (valued at over $2,000) from the official VMA swag bag. We're talking Fendi shades, Fekkai hair products, Tarte makeup ... Fun fun fun!

Go to GlamScene or click HERE for more details and to enter! (Competition ends at 12 AM EST on Oct. 1st.)

Note: Commenting on this blog will not make you eligible to win. You must go to GlamScene to enter.

P.S. If you missed the VMAs, you can still watch 'em online at MTV.com

*Photo via MTV

In Stores Today!

Sex and the City: The Movie DVD hits stores today! So, so exciting! And in an extended cut version, even better!

Check out Glam's coverage of the pink carpet at the DVD launch.

Photo Credit: Amazon.com

- Erin Dustin

Want to Date Kate?

The blond bombshell of an actress insists she's "totally single." But the 29-year-old mother doesn't want to be wooed with a fancy dinner or elegant evening on the town. Hudson wants someone who's spontaneous, fun-loving free-spirit.

“I like to be surprised (with) something fun or something different, like racing cars… or miniature golf or something. If you’re going to go on a date, do it right, you know?”

Cancer-Free Christina : )

Christina Applegate is 100% clear of cancer! The Samantha Who actress had a double mastectomy three weeks ago to completely kill the disease. Her reasoning, she tested positive for the breast cancer gene BRCA1. Appearing on Good Morning America this morning, she described her emotions as this, "Sometimes I cry. Sometimes I scream, and I get really angry and I get really into wallowing in self-pity sometimes, and I think it’s all part of healing."

She will be going through reconstructive surgery for the next eight months in which she says, "I'm gonna have cute boobs till I'm 90."

Photo Credit: WireImage

- Erin Dustin

Wow, Can We Say Muscles?

Dear Zacky,

Where you been hiding those big guns?

XO,

Erin

Photo Credit: WireImage

Team Audrina

Last night kicked off the season 4 premiere of The Hills and there were no dull moments.

Looove Whitney, Doug's a hottie, Lauren's always the peacemaker, (at least she's trying) as far as Audrina and Lo's friendship goes, opposites don't attract this time, still can't stand Heidi and Spencer, um and how big is Lo, LC and Audrina's house?!

From the Laguna days to this, I never thought I'd say this, but I'm gonna have to take Audrina's side on this one. Sorry Lo.

Looks like this season won't disappoint!

Photo Credit: WireImage

- Erin Dustin

Demi Loves Her Some Jo Bros

Especially Nick, I mean thats what I hear.

In yet another YouTube video, Selena promotes the boys' new album. Like, she REALLY wants you to buy it!



- Erin Dustin

Britney's Promos

Britneywith long blonde hair!

Britney cracking jokes!

Britney laughing!

Britney looking GOOD! It kinda makes me smile : )

Check out her and Russell Brand's promos for the 2008 VMA's:





- Erin Dustin