Hollywood Exclusive by Marilyn Beck & Stacy Jenel Smith

When "Law & Order" reappears on the NBC lineup, Sam Waterston's exposure will be just a fraction of what was during his first 13 years of service on the series. He doesn't mind a bit.

His new role, replacing Fred Thompson as the district attorney, has had Waterston working "maybe 12 to 20 hours a week — it used to be between 40 and 60." (The show, by the way, is in good shape to be less affected by the writers strike than many series — since it's been in production since August for a January return.)

The extra leisure has been giving Waterston time "for lots of things," he says.

He's purchased a book on the life of Andrew Mellon — the late American banker, industrialist, philanthropist, art collector and Secretary of the Treasury — and is working on its development for screen. He's also talking to New York theater management about doing one or two plays.

And most important, he says, the new schedule has given him time "to be better able to keep up with the activities of my children — three are actors and one is a writer, and they're everywhere.' Daughter Elizabeth, he says, has the movie "Sensation of Sight" debuting Friday (Nov. 9), Katherine is in George Clooney's "Michael Clayton" and is about to start the big-screen "Baby Sitter," and son James recently finished a play in San Francisco and another in New York.

If he's had any advice for his four offspring, Sam notes that it's been this: "As Alan Alda has said — don't go into show business unless you can't help it. It's great fun when you get to do it, but the odds are so bad, there's such a hill to climb, there's such rejection, that you've got to love it or stay out."

CELEB SCENE: Angelina Jolie is collecting gasps with her latest filmic incarnation — the bewitching, naked mother of the monster Grendel — in the soon-to-be-unleashed "Beowulf," but the actress was very much in her down-to-earth humanitarian mode at a special screening and reception for her "A Mighty Heart" film at Paramount Studios Sunday night. She was wearing a sweater and narrow black pants with high heels, and she appeared calm and centered amid a crush of people.

She also looked healthy and glowing, contrary to myriad reports that have her sickly and too thin. 

Chatting about "A Mighty Heart," which traces how a multinational team came together to try to save kidnapped Wall Street Journal reporter Daniel Pearl from terrorists, she charmed the crowd, which was full of actors. She told our correspondent Phyllis La Voie that she wants to stress that Pearl's widow, Mariane Pearl, whom Angelina plays in the feature, continues to work hard covering the condition of women, particularly mothers, throughout the world. Angelina also made a point of touting the Daniel Pearl Fellowship, which Daniel's parents, Ruth and Judea Pearl, created to bring journalists from other parts of the world, including Pakistan, to the United States to work and train as reporters. The film is due out on DVD Nov. 16 — the same day "Beowulf" gets released in theaters, and just in time to remind Oscar voters of Angelina's wonderfulness, of course.

HEARTFELT: Even though he's seen kicking butt on "Bionic Woman" rather than operating on "Grey's Anatomy" these days, Isaiah Washington still has heart. In his first Hollywood outing since landing the gig on NBC's "Bionic," the former "Grey's" cardiothoracic surgeon will step out to support Larry King, COPE Health Solutions and cardiac care at this Saturday's (Nov. 10) King of Hearts Gala. Washington is set to present the Heart of the Community Award to Rep. Hilda L. Solis. The gala, which raises funds to provide cardiac care to uninsured residents of L.A. County, will also feature a performance by Natasha Bedingfield.

BETWEEN THE LINES: "Jericho" star Sprague Grayden was recently left at a loss for words when asked what it was like working with fallen star Tom Sizemore on the indie movie "The Last Lullaby." Sizemore, whose behavior has been erratic, as could be seen on his VH1 reality show, has been trying to get his career back on track — but he was left at a standstill recently when he was sent to jail for violating his probation. However, he has publicly vowed to quit drugs for good. "Um, you know, Tom's an institution, and he gives really good notes, and he's a good acting teacher. That's pretty much it," Grayden says hesitantly about her co-star. "You know, we had a mutual friend in common, so he was really great to me. Other than that, we'll just leave it there." 

With reports by Stephanie DuBois and Emily Fortune Feimster.

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.

COPYRIGHT 2007 MARILYN BECK AND STACY JENEL SMITH

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