DEAR STACY: Can you tell me what my favorite actors from the "Third Watch" series, Jason Wiles and Skipp Sudduth, are doing now? — Erin W., Branford, Conn.

DEAR ERIN: Wiles is cast in the 2009 remake of "The Stepfather" horror flick, along with Dylan Walsh, Sela Ward, Christopher Meloni, Jon Tenney and Sherry Stringfield. The actor's recent series appearances include "In Plain Sight" and "Army Wives," and he's also been working behind the cameras, including directing, producing and writing a movie called "Play Dead." Sudduth, whose recent credits include a "Law & Order: CI" episode, has a multifaceted career as well — as a singer-songwriter/standup comedian/voiceover talent. He's a member of New York's Rumble in the Red Room comedy company.

DEAR STACY: Can you tell me something about Kevin Costner's wife? Is she an actress? What is the age difference? — Lorna S., Cleveland

DEAR LORNA: Christine Baumgartner is a former model who designs handbags. She's 19 years younger than 53-year-old Kevin. The couple, both golfers, met on the links, started dating in 1999, and wed in 2004. Their son, Cayden Wyatt Costner, was born on May 6, 2007. Costner was married to college sweetheart Cindy for 16 years, a union that produced three children and ended in 1994. He also has a son with former girlfriend Bridget Rooney.

DEAR STACY: What's become of Gavin MacLeod? Enjoyed him on "The Love Boat" and "The Mary Tyler Moore Show." — Sue S., Huntington, N.Y.

DEAR SUE: MacLeod will be seen, along with Robert Guillaume and Jansen Panettiere (brother of Hayden) in an inspirational film about young people who learn a lesson from an unlikely teacher, "The Secrets of Jonathan Sperry," next year. He appears in occasional TV guest roles and does theater work here and there. He and his wife, Patti, recently appeared in "Love Letters" at the Orange County (CA) Performing Arts Center. The MacLeods are familiar faces to Trinity Broadcasting Network viewers, having served as hosts on the Christian cable channel for some 14 years — in particular their show about marriage, "Back on Course," on which they talk to famous couples about keeping relationships strong. Their book, "Back on Course: The Remarkable Story of a Divorce that Ended in a Remarriage," details their story of renewing their relationship in the mid-'80s, after becoming Evangelical Christians and his battling alcoholism.

DEAR STACY: I'm an "Andy Griffith Show" fan from way back, and I'd love to get my hands on the episode of "The Danny Thomas Show" that first introduced Sheriff Taylor and Mayberry. Can you tell me whether it's ever been released? — N.T., Cleveland

DEAR N.T.: Yes, the pilot for that beloved 1960-1968 show is included in the DVD of Thomas's "Make Room for Daddy" series's fifth season, which was released in 2004. Titled "Danny Meets Andy Griffith," it originally aired in February 1960. Several changes were made between that episode and "The Andy Griffith Show's" launch. For instance, Frances Bavier, known to generations as Aunt Bee, started off playing Mayberry town widow Henrietta. In the original segment, Sheriff Taylor, who had Danny Williams (Danny Thomas) in custody, also was the local judge and ran the newspaper.

DEAR STACY: Is Randy Jackson of "American Idol" any relation to Samuel L. Jackson? I say no. My friend says they're cousins. Please settle this. — Ray S., Bronx, N.Y.

DEAR RAY: You win. The "Idol" judge/musician/record producer is not related to either the movie star or to singer Michael, despite reports that have stated otherwise.

DEAR STACY: Can you tell me if Armand Assante was ever the male lead in a soap opera called "How to Survive a Marriage"? I believe it was on in the 1970s or '80s. — Lauren S., Canton, Ohio

DEAR LAUREN: You're right. The 1974-1975 show, also starring Fran Brill, also included F. Murray Abraham, Brad Davis, Ken Kercheval and Eric Roberts in its cast.

DEAR STACY: There is an Acura commercial on TV; I would like to know who is singing the song. — Carmen G., Bronx, N.Y.

DEAR CARMEN: Since you didn't specify which ad you mean, I can't be sure, but two recent Acura TSX spots, both featuring James Spader narrating, have grabbed attention. One features "My Mathematical Mind" by the Austin, Texas, indie-rock band Spoon. The other has Clarence Greenwood of the musical entity Citizen Cope, performing his "Let the Drummer Kick." Citizen Cope music has found its way onto a long list of TV shows and commercials, including "Entourage," "Sleeper Cell," "So You Think You Can Dance," "CSI: Miami," plus the films "Sideways" and "Coach Carter."

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

COPYRIGHT 2008 MARILYN BECK AND STACY JENEL SMITH

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