Hollywood Exclusive by Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith

DEAR STACY: What is Rick Schroder doing these days? — Brianna K., Adirondack, N.Y.

DEAR BRIANNA: Schroder was honored at last month's G.I. Film Festival in Washington, D.C., where he also unveiled his latest TV undertaking, a reality show he's producing called "Starting Strong" that features potential Army recruits as they decide to enlist — or not. No word on a pickup or debut date as yet. The former "Silver Spoons" and "NYPD Blue" star — who has developed a career as a filmmaker — was last seen on the big screen in the civil rights movie "Blood Done Sign My Name," has been married to wife Andrea since 1992, and they have four children. Though he's certainly aware of the pitfalls that child actors face, her says he would never discourage his own children from acting. "I'm supportive of them, and I want them to do what they want and hopefully make a living at it. I'll help them if they want help," he said. "I have a couple of kids who think they want to do it, but I don't know if they really, really want to do it. In the first month when they can't pay rent and they're hungry, it's not so fun then."

DEAR STACY: What can you tell me about Brittany Robertson, who is so great on "Life Unexpected"? — R.B., Chattanooga, Tenn.

DEAR R.B.: The 20-year-old actress was born in Charlotte, N.C., and raised in Greenville, S.C. She was already a veteran actress — with experience onstage at the Greenville Little Theatre and in the film "Ghost Club" — when she began making extended trips to Hollywood at age 12. Soon, she began landing work, including "The Wonderful World of Disney: Growing Pains: The Return of the Seavers," the series "Swingtown" and episodes of "Law and Order: SVU" and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation." In 2007, she played daughter to Steve Carell in "Dan in Real Life." With "Life Unexpected" renewed for another season, she's recently been in New Zealand filming a Disney Channel Original Movie called "Avalon High" — where the students are reincarnations of King Arthur and his court.

DEAR STACY: When is "Weeds" coming back? Is it true Elizabeth Perkins is leaving the show? — Jan H., Austin, Texas

DEAR JAN: She left already and is being replaced by Linda Hamilton as a character described as "a gay and eco-conscious marijuana grower." The Mary-Louise Parker series returns to Showtime on Aug.

DEAR STACY: I love watching "The Golden Girls" reruns on the Hallmark Channel. I believe Betty White and Rue McClanahan are the only two still living. Is McClanahan still working? — Ben W., Columbus, Ohio

DEAR BEN: Last seen as a series regular on Logo's "Sordid Lives" series that launched in 2008, McClanahan suffered a mild stroke in January while recovering from triple bypass surgery. Pal Betty White has reported several times this spring that McClanahan is now in great shape and her speech is back to normal, so we won't be surprised to hear of her being cast in something new one of these days.

DEAR STACY: As a fan of Jenna Elfman, I was sorry to hear that "Accidentally on Purpose" got canceled. Does she have other projects on the way? — Lorna A., San Bernardino, Calif.

DEAR LORNA: Expect to see Elfman pop up in a small role in "Forbidden Zone 2: The Forbidden Galaxy," director Richard Elfman's (her father-in-law) forthcoming sequel to the 30-year-old cult favorite "Forbidden Zone." Other than that, stay tuned.

To find out more about Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jenel Smith and read their past columns, visit the Creators Syndicate Web page at www.creators.com.

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