What Ever Happened To Eldin The House Painter?

Q: What's happened to Robert Pastorelli? He was marvelous as the painter in "Murphy Brown." Then he was spun off into a horrible sitcom.

A: "Murphy Brown's" former house painter Eldin Bernecky is starring in "Michael," the John Travolta movie that opens nationwide on Christmas Day. Pastorelli's post-"Murphy Brown" sitcom experience was a disaster - "Double Rush" lasted only a few months in 1995. But Pastorelli has received good reviews for his movie roles, including "Dances With Wolves" and "Eraser."

Q: Actor Tim Roth ("Rob Roy," "Pulp Fiction") starred with Fairuza Balk in a fact-based, two-part TV movie about an outlaw on the run with his girlfriend in the 1950s. I'd like to see it again, but I don't remember the title. Also, who was the gangster Roth portrayed in the movie?

A: "Starkweather: Murder in the Heartland" (1993) was an ABC miniseries about the 1958 killing spree of Nebraska teen-ager Charlie Starkweather and his 14-year-old girlfriend Caril Ann Fugate. The Starkweather story was also told in the 1973 movie "Badlands," starring Martin Sheen and Sissy Spacek.

Q: A recent episode of "Diagnosis Murder" featured John Rubinstein. Several years ago he played the son of a private eye in a weekly show whose name I can't remember. Can you clear this up for me?

A: John Rubinstein starred in "Crazy Like a Fox" (1984-86) as San Francisco lawyer Harrison K. Fox, son of con artist/private eye Harry Fox (Jack Warden). Before that, he played Jeff Maitland on "Family," estranged husband of oldest daughter Nancy (Meredith Baxter). He also contributed much of the music for "Family." The son of renowned classical pianist Arthur Rubinstein, John is a composer and musician as well as an actor.

Q: My husband and I are in a disagreement over the age of Dolly Parton. Can you tell us her correct age?

A: The singer/songwriter/actress/theme park operator was born Jan. 19, 1946, making her 50. Dolly has starred in two TV specials this month - "Dolly Parton: Treasures" and the CBS movie "Unlikely Angel."

Q: On the early "Mary Tyler Moore Show," a male vocalist sang the theme song. For years we have wondered who he was. Has there been more than one singer?

A: "Love Is All Around" was written and performed by Sonny Curtis. He was the only one who sang the show's theme.

Q: Is the new sitcom "Malcolm & Eddie" really filmed in Kansas City? Can I get more information on Eddie Griffin?

A: Griffin hails from Kansas City, Mo., and pays tribute to his hometown by making it the setting of his UPN sitcom, which is filmed in Los Angeles. Griffin started his career on a bet at a KC comedy club. From there, it was on to LA's famed Comedy Store where his impression of Andrew Dice Clay broke up audiences and got him a gig as the comic's opening act. Next was HBO's Russell Simmons' "Def Comedy Jam," his own HBO "One Night Stand" special and a comedy album, "Message in the Hat." Griffin's movie credits include "The Walking Dead," "Meteor Man," "The Five Heartbeats," "The Last Boy Scout" and "Jason's Lyric."