[it’s Been A Turbulent Year For The Celebrity Bunch, With Break-ups, Bitter Divorces, High-profile Relationships, Huge Films And Terrible Tragedies - Find Out Who Stole The Headlines In 2001, As We Follow The Stars Through The Year That None Will Forget.]
JANUARY 2001
Meg And Russell's Split Predicted
Early January 2001, world famous gossip columnist Liz Smith predicted the split of raunchy Hollywood couple Meg Ryan and Russell Crowe.
Smith says, "I certainly wouldn't put my money on their long term relationship. They remind me of Elizabeth TAYLOR and RICHARD BURTON, a very explosive way to come together. "
Since parting ways, Russell has been linked to a number of beauties, including Ozzie actress Nicole Kidman, but has not been involved in a steady relationship, since Ryan.
FEBRUARY 2001
Tom And Nicole Are Over
In a shocking announcemnet, Hollywood's golden couple release news of their separation to a shocked world. Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman were married for ten years and apeared (to the outside world), to be more in love than ever. Rumours of an affair with fellow actress and co-star Penélope Cruz are fuelled after the split, but are enfatically denied. What follwed the announcent, surprised us all, as Nicole and Tom engaed in a bitter war of money, as they sought for a quickie divorce.
MARCH 2001
Drew Barrymore Loves Tom Green
Tom Green and Drew Barrymore officially exclaimetheir love for each other, by announcing their plans to have a child after they're married. The strange, but happy couple keep the media buzzing by their secrecy over the forthcoming vows.
What seemed to be a match made in heaven turned out to be a marriage from hell, when it was revealed that Tom could no longer handle Barrymore's bratty ways and huge stardom. Drew's pals are now worried for the star's health, as she has been uncontrollable and devastated since the parting.
APRIL 2001
Downey Jnr Arrested On Drug Charges
Robert Downey Jnr is arrested on drugs charges - again, He was picked up by Culver City police while walking on the 12000 block of Washington Boulevard. Due in court, Downey Jnr faces another potential four years in prison.
His role in hit TV series Ally McBeal faces the chop, as his name is once again brought into disrepute. Cocaine was also found in a hotel raid November 2000, after an anonymous tip-off.
MAY 2001
Tom Cruise Sues Gay Porn Star
Tom Cruise is hounded by rumours, disputing his sexuality when a gay porn star, claimed in tabloid reports that he had an affair with the actor. Infuriated by the vicious lies, mega-star Tom Cruise launches a massive lawsuit. The complaint, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, claims Chad Slater (an "erotic wrestler" who also uses the name Kyle Bradford) "concocted and spread the completely false story that he had a continuing homosexual affair with Tom Cruise and that this affair was discovered by Mr Cruise's wife, leading to their divorce".
JUNE 2001
Tomb Raider Hits Cinemas
The launch and phenomenon of Tomb Raider (2001) begins, as the film is released across America, to an excited mass audience. Lara Croft, played by stunning Angelina Jolie, steals the show with her performance, clad in plastic and leather - the movie was a box office smash hit, across the world.
With a Budget of $80m (USA), Tomb Raider (2001) made millions, during it's opening weekend.
Opening Weekend
£3. 846m (UK) (8 July 2001) (444 screens)
$47. 735m (USA) (17 June 2001) (3308 screens)
JULY 2001
Actors Strike Over Money
The two sides in the Hollywood actors strike have days to reach a deal. Facing failure,they face a termination of the contract between the Screen Actors Guild and the Alliance Of Motion Picture And Television Producers ends.
Members of the actor's union are now hoping to prologue talks for a few more days - to avoid calling a strike. SAG chief negotiator,
AUGUST 2001
Tom Cruise In Love With Penélope Cruz
News of hot new couple breaks, as Tom Cruise jets off with co-star Penélope Cruz in forthcoming movie, Vanilla Sky (2001) - a week before the official end to Cruise's marriage to Nicole Kidman.
The new couple take along Cruise's adopted children, Isabella, eight and Connor, six. They are alledged to have been secretly dating for weeks.
SEPTEMBER 2001
Terrorists Strike America
Tragedy strikes the world, as terrorists attack America. Two planes are flown into the World Trade Center Twin Towers. Thousands of people are killed, in the blast and more as the towers' structure is melts, causing the towers to crumble.
Unrest follows chaos, as threats of more attacks are looming.
Attempting to help survivors and those who lost loved ones, movie stars engage in a huge televised campaign to raise money. The event attracts major stars like Brad Pitt and Julia Roberts, who work on the telephones taking calls from the public.
Millions of dollars are raised in the name of the victims of September 11th.
OCTOBER 2001
Jennifer Lopez Wedds Chris Judd
Hunky Judd proposed to Jennifer Lopez in May this year after a whirlwind romance - J. Lo officially split from ex-love Sean 'P Diddy' Combs on Valentines Day Her manager Benny Medina is best man at the second marriage for Jennifer - she was married briefly to Cuban waiter Ojani Noa which ended in 1998.
Jennifer Lopez marries dancer/choreographer, Chris Judd in Los Angeles, in a relatively quiet affair, with family and friends. The lovebirds honeymoon in Italy.
NOVEMBER 2001
Harry Potter Crazy
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) stone, hits the big screen and takes over the film world. The magical story of a boy with wizardly powers is a huge success, topping the movie charts of all time. J.K Rowling enjoys her major success, as the author and creator of the Harry Potter books and graduates to a list compiled of Britain's richest women. Young star, playing Harry Potter, Daniel Radcliffe, receives ovation for his performance in the film and gains incredible notoriety and publicity.
As the world goes Harry mad, the avid critics await December's arrival of the first part of the trilogy - Lord of the Rings.
DECEMBER 2001
Kate Winslet With New Love
Since Kate Winslet's separation from husband (assistant) Jim Threapleton, (to whom she has a young daughter Mia), is cemented when Kate openly discusses her feelings for the new man in her life, American Beauty (1999) director Sam Mendes. Once thought of as a match made in heaven, Kate's marriage break-up was depicted as amicable, until news spread the 'once happy' couple are entangled in bitter rows over the divorce and custody of their child.
Not forgetting, 2001 was the year that…
#Elizabeth Hurley became pregnant with American tycoon, Stephen Bing’s baby , but he wants nothing to do with the unborn child.
#Julia Roberts left long-term boyfriend Benjamin Bratt, after falling in love with married cameraman, Danny Moder, leaving his wife Vera in the process.
#Pamela Anderson lost custody of her two children to ex husband Tommy Lee.
#Nicole Kidman’s celebrity increased dramatically, since spilting from ex-husband Tom Cruise and making two hugely successful movies, Moulin Rouge (2001) and Others, the (2001)..
