Ask American Profile 3/2/2008

Q Whatever happened to the pretty and talented singer and actress Leslie Uggams?
—Marlene Cordie, Ogdensburg, Wis.

She’s been busy! In 2005, Uggams, 64, completed performing in On Golden Pond on Broadway, and she’s been working on bringing a musical called Stormy Weather, based on singer Lena Horne, to the stage. Last year, she celebrated her 42nd year of marriage to Grahame Pratt, whom she met in Australia while promoting the TV show Sing Along With Mitch, on which she made her national television debut in 1961. “I think I’ve had three weeks off in my entire life,” she says with a laugh. “I’m not complaining.”

Q Who sings the song in the current Honda commercial?
—Shirley Hayes, Council Bluffs, Iowa

That’s the British band Electric Light Orchestra putting the “drive” in the Honda Accord spot with“Hold On Tight To Your Dreams,” one of the more than two dozen Top 40 singles the group charted between 1972 and 1986. Other ELO hits include “Turn to Stone,” “Livin’ Thing,” “Evil Woman” and “Don’t Bring Me Down.” Founding member Jeff Lynne went on to become one of The Traveling Wilburys alongside Bob Dylan, Roy Orbison, Tom Petty and former Beatle George Harrison.

Q I would like to know more about Debra Winger. She’s such a good actress, but I haven’t heard anything about her lately.
—Patricia Hann, Lewisburg, Tenn.

Winger, 52, rose to stardom in the movies Urban Cowboy and An Officer and a Gentleman. She gave up acting when she turned 40, but picked it up again after the release of a 2001 documentary, Searching for Debra Winger. In 2005, Winger starred in the Lifetime TV movie, Dawn Anna, and she has two films in the pipeline, Dancing with Shiva and ItW. A native of Cleveland, she is married to actor Arliss Howard, with whom she has a son. She also has another son from her first marriage, to actor Timothy Hutton.

Q Is Drew Carey of The Price is Right married, and does he have any children?
—Earline Jutkins, Shumway, Ill.

Carey, 49, has yet to say, “I do,” but that’s about to change. The stand-up comedian, actor and now game-show host proposed to his girlfriend, Nicole Jaracz, last fall. It will be a first marriage for both, but the wedding date has yet to be set. The bride-to-be is a recent graduate of culinary school. “They are both very happy and excited,” Carey’s spokesperson said in a statement.

first appeared: 3/2/2008