DEAR LESLIE: The 34-year-old actor left "Betty" -- and his adorably goofy accountant character, Henry -- behind to star in CBS's bloody midseason mystery drama, "Harper's Island." He hails from Fresno, Calif., and is an alumnus of UCLA, where he majored in theater arts and met his future wife and "Popular" cast mate, Anel Lopez. The couple has two sons, Lucas and Ethan, ages 7 and 4, and are expecting a third child, reportedly a girl, in January. After graduation, he quickly began landing roles on shows including "Party of Five" and "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" before taking on his lead role in "Popular." Other credits include "Felicity," "Odyssey 5," "Jake 2.0," and "Medical Investigation" and "Out of Practice."

DEAR STACY:  Phill Lewis of "Suite Life of Zack & Cody" -- wasn't he in some legal trouble at one time? Can you tell what happened and how it was resolved? -- Rebecca B., Cleveland, Ohio

DEAR REBECCA: The tragic chapter of Lewis' life to which you refer (and to which today's out-of-control young stars ought to refer, and we all know who they are) was his 1991 drunk driving accident in Potomac, Maryland -- a head-on collision which left a 21-year-old woman dead. In '92, at age 24, he was convicted of vehicular manslaughter, and subsequently sentenced to five years in prison, two years of probation and 350 hours of community service. However, the judge suspended four years of the term, citing Lewis' excellent behavior in the months following the accident, including his work with a prison-based theater group that performed anti-drug material in schools and community centers. His price paid, the well-liked actor, who now has a wife and two young daughters, was able to resume his career.

DEAR STACY: Would like to know why Mandy Patinkin left "Criminal Minds" and what is next for him? -- Patricia F., Howard Beach, N.Y.

DEAR PATRICIA: The actor-singer ascribed his abrupt departure from "Criminal Minds" after two years simply to "creative differences." The show's exec producer, Ed Bernero, complained publicly that he had no clue as to who the differences were with, as the series team had bent over backwards to accommodate Patinkin's wishes, only to have him pull a no-show in July of last year. After being released from his contract at his request, Patinkin did return for one episode to wrap up his character's story. Patinkin's been spending his time on stage this year, going from a cross-country concert tour to his starring stint in the Classic Stage Company production of Shakespeare's "The Tempest," which is set to run through Oct. 12. Next year, he'll tour with "An Evening with Patti LuPone & Mandy Patinkin."

DEAR STACY: Is Bill Cullen still alive? -- Robert M., Chattanooga, Tenn.

DEAR ROBERT: The popular game show host died of cancer at age 70 in 1990.

DEAR STACY: I have a question that is just bugging me. What was the name of the show that was aired a few years ago about the same time that "Hope & Faith" was on. It starred Sara Rue and also featured Sherri Shepherd. I stay awake at nights searching my memory. -- Leigh S., Brooklyn, N.Y.

DEAR LEIGH: You're thinking of the 2002-2006 "Less Than Perfect."

DEAR STACY: Why did Maya Rudolph leave "Saturday Night Live"? She's the best. The show is not the same without her. Did she leave on her own or was she let go? -- M.M., Bronx, N.Y.

DEAR M.M.: Rudolph's contractual commitment to "SNL" concluded in May of '07, and she spent much of the following summer negotiating with NBC over her future on the show. She bowed out, then re-upped days later, only to leave for good last November with her eye on more movie work. Rudolph's recent activities include a role in the 2009 release Sam Mendes comedy, "This Must Be the Place" starring Maggie Gyllenhaal and John Krasinski, and a comedy stage revue co-written and directed by her man in life, Paul Thomas Anderson, that was unveiled in L.A. in August. She and Anderson have a daughter, Pearl, who turns three next month. Having appeared from 1999 to Nov. 2007 -- the 25th into the 33rd season of "SNL" -- she had the longest run among its female cast members. (Darrell Hammond, in his 13th season, is the longest-running of all.) Rudolph did, however, take a maternity leave from the show. Rachel Dratch appeared from 1999 to 2006.

DEAR STACY: I was a fan of Margaret O'Brien as a girl. Whatever became of her? -- Leigh W., Cleveland, Ohio

DEAR LEIGH: Like many other child stars, O'Brien -- who was honored with an Academy Juvenile Award as the outstanding child actress of 1944 -- had trouble continuing her career in adolescence. But she never left show business and remained active on TV and on the dinner-theater circuit. Now 71, O'Brien is married to her second husband, Roy Thorsen, and they have a daughter. She remains busy with charity work, occasional acting roles and has been seen at autograph shows.

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 2008 MARILYN BECK AND STACY JENEL SMITH
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