Johnny Depp                 George Bush

In an interview with Ellen DeGeneres, the Dark Shadows star explains why he based his turn as Willy Wonka on the former POTUS

Since first teaming up for 1990's Edward Scissorhands, Johnny Depp  and director Tim Burton have crafted some of the most indelible and off-kilter characters in modern cinema. And none has a more interesting inspiration than crazed candy maker Willy Wonka in 2005's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: former President George W. Bush.

"Certain ingredients you add to these characters," 48-year-old Depp -- whose eighth collaboration with Burton, Dark Shadows, hits theaters May 11 -- said during an interview that aired on Tuesday's The Ellen DeGeneres Show. "Like Willy Wonka for example, I imagined what George Bush would be like incredibly stoned and thus was born my version of Willy Wonka." (Watch the interview below!)

Depp, who has also drawn inspiration from Rolling Stones  musician Keith Richards (he based Pirates of the Caribbean's Captain Jack Sparrow on him), says that it doesn't take him too long to figure out his way into a character.

"Generally like within the first 10 pages of a script, something clicks, something hits, and you feel like there's something that you can add to the piece that might not have done before," he told Ellen DeGeneres. "And then the images start to come. The look starts to come."

So who -- or what -- was the inspiration for his turn as the sharp-fingered title character in Edward Scissorhands?

"Scissorhands was a combination. It was the idea of like a newborn, really like a newborn seeing things for the first time, and also a dog that I'd had. This dog that I'd had where sort of this unconditional love, this sort purity in my dog, those were his basic ingredients," he explained. "There was something very safe in being that open to things and seeing things as very new."

It seems like Depp and Burton will continue to have a long and prosperous relationship together, especially with good advanced buzz for Dark Shadows. In addition to the three previously mentioned roles, Depp has also worked with Burton in Ed Wood, Sleepy Hollow, Corpse Bride, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street and Alice in Wonderland.

Perhaps not surprisingly, in a new interview with U.K. newspaper The Sun, Depp claims that he owes his career to Burton.

"Tim had to fight to give me the lead role in Edward Scissorhands in 1990 when I was still unknown, and he's always stood by me, even when things weren't going well later in my career," Depp says. "If it hadn't been for Tim, I would probably be a minor actor working in horror B movies."

He continues: "I owe him so much because he believed in me from the beginning. I would play any role in any film that he asked me to do purely out of gratitude."

So let's hope Burton asks Depp to play the title role in Tim Burton's George W. Bush: The Stoner President of Pennsylvania Avenue. We'd certainly pay to see that.

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The 30 Rock star had to cancel a pair of comedy shows in Colorado after he was taken to the hospital to be treated for flu-like symptoms

We're starting to become concerned for Tracy Morgan's health, at least when he's traveling to high altitudes. For the second time in five months, the 43-year-old 30 Rock star has been unexpectedly hospitalized.

Morgan, who caused a stir when he collapsed at the Sundance Film Festival in Utah in January, was set to perform at Denver's Comedy Works South on Saturday -- but instead was rushed to the hospital for dehydration and flu-like symptoms, TMZ reports. The comedian was treated for several hours before being released, and his two comedy shows for the night were canceled.

On Sunday morning, Morgan was photographed being pushed around Denver International Airport in a wheelchair before taking a flight back to New York City..

"He is fine," Morgan's rep told GossipCop. "He had the flu before he left [for the trip]."

A Denver editor for the Huffington Post was in attendance at the Denver show before it was canceled, and says many audience members thought Morgan's illness was a joke at first.

"The emcee came out and told us that Tracy was feeling sick and wasn't going to come on," editor Matt Ferner says. "The crowd thought it was a joke at first. But it quickly sank in how serious this was when the manager of Comedy Works South came out to tell us that Tracy was hoping to feel well enough to perform for the 10 p.m. show, but that there was no way they were going to let him because he was in such bad shape."

Full refunds are being given out to those who purchased tickets.

This isn't the first this sort of thing has happened to Morgan. While at an awards party at January's Sundance Film Festival, the actor gave off the appearance of being inebriated, running around yelling and then finally falling to the floor. He was rushed to the hospital soon after, and was said to have been sick from a combination of altitude and exhaustion. No drugs or alcohol were found in his system.

Morgan also was hospitalized in late 2010 when he underwent a kidney transplant. The Saturday Night Live alum suffers from diabetes.

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Bobby Brown will this weekend be tying the knot with his fiancée Alicia Etheridge  in the beautiful state of Hawaii.

Brown who is set to perform in the city of Honolulu alongside his New Edition band mates will be using the opportunity to finally ‘jump the broom’ with Alicia after two years of dating.

Alicia travelled along with Brown to Nigeria in March for a ‘New Edition’ concert held in Lagos and Port Harcourt.

TMZ reports that June 15 has been penned down for an elaborate wedding also scheduled to hold in Hawaii.

The couple have been engaged since May 2012 and have a child together.

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News of a rumoured death of popular Yoruba comic actor, Bolaji Amusan popularly known as Mr Latin went viral some hours ago.

Just few minutes ago, we placed a call through to Mr Latin to confirm the death story.

He confirmed that he is not dead but alive. He also wondered where the news story emanated from. He told us that he would investigate the root of his death rumour.

When asked where he was, he said he was in his house at Abeokuta.

Also, his younger brother, Kola Amusan, who is also an actor, told us on mobile call that his brother is not dead as earlier rumoured.

He asked who wants his brother dead.

Just some hours before his rumoured death news, Mr Latin was active on twitter where he related with his followers on the social networking site.I'm Not Dead But Alive**Mr Latin Cries Out





listen to the call

we sincerely apologize for the false information, our investigation team is on the situation.

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Late Latin Pose

Popular Nollywood actor, producer and comedian, Bolaji Amusan a.k.a ‘Mr Latin’ has been reported dead by unconfirmed reports in Abeokuta, Ogun State.

The 47-year-old actor who had been receiving medical treatments over ailing heart disease at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta was reported dead at around 3:45 pm, Monday.

A hospital source who spoke on condition of anonymity said Mr Latin had been receiving medical treatments at the hospital for several days now before his death and has been taken away at around 5.30 pm.

Hospital officials at The Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta declined to comment on the issue saying only the families and relatives of the ace comedian are allowed and authorised to make such pronouncements.

The office of the Chief Medical Director, Dr Dapo Sotiloye was cordoned by hospital security guards who refused to allow even patients approach him.

All attempts to reach the families and relatives of the actor/comedian proved unproductive as calls to his Abeokuta residence and Lagos family home were not immediately returned or responded to. Calls to his wife, Ronke Amusan who is also a Nollywood scriptwriter were abortive as her telephone lines were switched off.

No official or recognised social media page can be attributed to him as of the time of report as a Twitter page which claimed to be owned by the actor saw him made hilarious tweets some few hours ago. A Facebook page attributed to him however saw activity for several months backs.

Bolaji Amusan a.k.a. Mr Latin was the Governor of the Ogun State chapter of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (ANTP).

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Wande Coal, D'Pricne, Don Jazzy, Tiwa Savage, Dr Sid

It’s Official, Don Jazzy has kick-started a new record label.

Former CEO of Mohits Records announced his new label on Twitter a few hours ago. It’s no longer "Mohits Records", its now "Mavin Records".

Nigeria gathered that, he has signed the new label’s first female artist, Tiwa Savage.

Aside from D’banj and his brother Kayswitch, all the other artists under the now defunct Mohits records are with Mavin Records.

Meanwhile a compilation album titled Solar Plexus, produced by Don Jazzy and featuring Wande Coal, Dr Sid, D’Prince and Tiwa Savage will be released tomorrow May 8th.

The record exec also tweeted that more artists will be signed to the label soon

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Whitney Houston has died at age 48, her publicist confirmed on Feb. 11.

Although the cause of death has not been revealed, Jill Fritzo, a publicist of Whitney’s, told HollywoodLife.com EXCLUSIVELY that she had passed away, saying, “unfortunately, true.”

Houston died at the Beverly Hilton Hotel and l employees, tell TMZ .com … Whitney Houston was found dead in the bathtub of her room. As of 1 am  set Feb 12, Houston’s body was still at the hotel, police sources confirmed to Hollywoodlife.com.

Sources say there were no obvious signs of foul play, but BHPD detectives have launched a full investigation. L.A. County Coroner Ed Winter tells HollywoodLife.com that it is too early in the investigation to tell what happened.

Whitney was one of the best-selling pop artists of all time, with over 55 million records sold in the United States alone. Furthermore, she had great success acting, with star-making turns in films such as the smash hit The Bodyguard , and Waiting To Exhale.

She was also known for her tumultuous relationship with her ex-husband Bobby Brown. Upon hearing of Whitney death, Bobby immediately began calling friends and family.

“He wanted to tell everyone about it before it hit the news,” one of his relatives told PEOPLE magazine. “He didn’t want any of us to hear about it on television.”

As Brown spoke to family members, the shock of Houston’s sudden death turned to grief. “He could hardly get the words out when he called me,” says the relative. “He was sobbing, and by the end of the call, I was sobbing too. He’s beside himself right now.”

Brown learned the news about his ex-wife while in Memphis, where he is currently on location for a New Edition concert. He is “shattered and beyond devastated,” says the source.

CNN spoke to Johnny Gill who is in Memphis with Bobby Brown for a New Edition concert. He told them: “Bobby is struggling and devastated” at hearing that Whitney has died. He has apparently spoken to their daughter Bobbi Kristina, 18, who Hollywoodlife.com has learned was with Whitney in Los Angeles and was “not doing well” Brown said.

Houston’s passing was confirmed by her publicist, and Beverly Hills Police Lieut. Mark Rosen said on Saturday, Feb 11,  that the 48-year-old singer “was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. this afternoon at the Beverly Hilton Hotel,” following a 3:43 p.m. call from hotel security.

The best-selling pop artist wed soul crooner Bobby Brown in 1992 in a marriage that surprised many, given Brown’s bad-boy reputation. The following year, the couple welcomed a daughter, Bobbi Kristina.

After a tumultuous relationship that included a charge of domestic abuse against Brown in 1993, the two divorced in 2007.

Despite their breakup, the couple remained friendly, a relative of Bobby Brown’s tells HollywoodLife.com,  ”They had Bobbi Kristina in common, and were determined to be co-parents to her. They didn’t hate each other. In fact, there was a lot of respect. So this has hit Bobby really hard. He is devastated. He loved her very much. This is a very sad time for him.”

She leaves behind a daughter, Bobbi Kristina.The last time Houston was seen publicly was at a pre-Grammys party, Feb. 9, where she sang , ‘Jesus, Loves You”.

Her professional mentor Clive Davis did not cancel his annual pre-Grammys party  held at the Beverly  Hilton – the same hotel where Whitney died- in Los Angeles tonight although a source tells Hollywoodlife.com that he did not attend. He has said:  ”Whitney had one of the best voices of all time!” But guests at the party told Hollywoodlife.com that it was more like a funeral, than a party.

Several celebrities tweeted about the death shortly after the news went public, including Justin Bieber who wrote, “Just heard the news. so crazy. One of the GREATEST VOICES EVER just passed. RIP Whitney Houston. My prayers go out to her friends and family I am sadden to hear of the passing of Whitney Houston today…”

Miley Cyrus tweeted, “I LOVE Whitney : ( I’m not turning my tv on. just gonna stay @ home & listen 2 her records.
Mariah Carey expressed her condolences over a series of tweets, saying, “Heartbroken and in tears over the shocking death of my friend, the incomparable Ms. Whitney Houston. My heartfelt condolences to Whitney’s family and to all her millions of fans throughout the world. She will never be forgotten as one of the greatest voices to ever grace the earth.”

Her husband, Nick Cannon, wrote, “‘To be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord’ RIP to Whitney Houston a true queen.”

The X Factor’s Melanie Amaro tweeted, “I love u sooo much Whitney Houston :’( u will always be in my heart and my mind an my soul your music made me the girl I am today :(”

Aretha Franklin said, “I just can’t talk about it now. It’s so stunning and unbelievable. I couldn’t believe what I was reading coming across the TV screen. My heart goes out to Cissy (Houston’s mother), her daughter Bobbi Kris, her family and Bobby (Brown).”

Dolly Parton, who wrote “I Will Always Love You,”  Whitney’s greatest hit song, said, “mine is only one of the millions of hearts broken over the death of Whitney Houston. I will always be grateful and in awe of the wonderful performance she did on my song and I can truly say from the bottom of my heart, ‘Whitney, I will always love you. You will be missed.’”

Quincy Jones, said he was “absolutely heartbroken…She was a true original and a talent beyond compare.”

Singer Keri Hilson  wrote, “Watching the news now…it’s true. R.I.P. Whitney Houston. Ugh I hate that I’m even typing this…I’m shocked. She was my hero growing up.”

Actress Nina Dobrev also tweeted, writing, “#iwillalwaysloveyou is one of the most beautiful and iconic songs. It will be remembered forever. Rest in peace Whitney Houston.”

President of the Recording Academy Neil Portnow released a statement saying, “Six-time Grammy winner Whitney Houston was one of the world’s greatest pop singers of all time who leaves behind a robust musical soundtrack spanning the past three decades. Her powerful voice graced many memorable and award-winning songs. A light has been dimmed in our music community today, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, fans and all who have been touched by her beautiful voice.”

We will miss Whitney’s talent, which she displayed in amazing songs like “I Will Always Love You.”

Just in…according to TMZ, Beverly Hills police have sealed off the room where Whitney Houston died and will not enter until they obtain a search warrant . The police want to conduct a thorough search of the hotel room, but are exercising caution by getting a warrant. We’re told one thing police are interested in is whether drugs are present in the room.  Although police could seize items in plain view, we’re told they want a top-to-bottom search of the room.

Whitney’s on-again, off-again boyfriend Ray J celebrated Brandy’s (his sister’s) birthday today.  According TMZ, Ray J’s publicist is saying that Whitney’s bodyguard is the person that found Whitney dead.

Whitney Houston sweats profusely and appears dishevelled as she leaves the Tru Hollywood nightclub on Thursday night. She partied with a large group of friends before 'clashing' with security guards, right, then being driven away to her hotel, where she died yesterday afternoon

Kim seen right with actress Jane Fonda and, right, Diana Ross with Berry Gordy

Davis decided to continue with the party, despite his protege's tragic passing

Miss Houston's daughter  Bobbi Kristina, left, and her ex-husband  Bobby Brown get into a car after an evening out at Crustacean restaurant in Beverly Hills on February 2.

Singer Alicia Keys consoles Miss Houston's long-time mentor Clive Davis, also the Chief Creative Officer of Sony Music Entertainmen

he singer joins her family after what will have been one of their last nights out together

Looking radiant in a white one-shouldered dress, Houston gives an incomparable performance at the peak of her career when she was one of the world's most popular singers

Bowing out: Miss Houston lowers her head to the crowd during the superstar-quality performance

Houston, pictured in 1965, was the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston, the cousin of 1960s pop diva Dionne Warwick and the goddaughter of Aretha Franklin

Houston sings with Jermaine Jackson during rehearsals for a TV performance in 1984

In 1992, she became a star in the acting world with 'The Bodyguard'. The story of a singer guarded by a former Secret Service agent was a success

She was a frequent winner at the Grammys and other high-profile award ceremonies

Houston collects one of the  many accolades she received throughout her career.

South African President Nelson Mandela and Whitney Houston smile for photographers in Johannesburg

Houston with Mariah Carey, one of the young singers who followed in her wake

Houston performs with singer Bobby Brown, left. Their turbulent marriage was the subject of tabloid gossip for years

Winfrey and Brown met with Israel's prime minister Ariel Sharon on a trip to the Middle Eastern country in 2003

Her emaciated appearance led to rumours she had died the next day. Right, a year later, again in New York, the singer was still struggling with a troubled relationship and cocaine abuse

The I Will Always Love You singer suffers a waldrobe malfunction on the X Factor in 2009 in what was supposed to be the start of her comeback tour. Many of the subsequent shows were later cancelled

A dark and tragic end: The body of Whitney Houston is wheeled out of the suite of the hotel in Los Angeles where she 'drowned in the bath' following two apparent evenings of out-of-control binges

Danni Minogue, left, Simon Cowell, Whitney Houston and Cheryl Cole, right, backstage on the X Factor. Whitney's performance raised concerns for her health with Cowell saying the warning signs were clear

It has been claimed that Ms Houston drowned in a bathtub, similar to this one in a suite at the Beverly Hills Hilton, after accidentally overdosing on a cocktail of prescription drugs and alcohol

A coroner's van leaves the Beverly Hilton Hotel in Los Angeles, California, this morning where Whitney Houston was found dead. She is said to have 'drowned in the bathtub'

The corridor on the fourth floor of the hotel close to the room where Miss Houston died. Right, mourners gather at a makeshift memorial on the corner of Santa Monica and Wiltshire Boulevards

The award-winning R&B singer had taken a suite at the Beverly Hills Hotel in LA to get ready for tonight's Grammys

The scene outside the Beverly Hilton hotel in Los Angeles, California today where Miss Houston was found dead in a suite on the fourth floor

A police van pulls up outside the Hilton after Houston's death. Right, officers gather outside the hotel as an investigation begins into the causes of death

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