Entertainment briefs for November 1, 2012

Wendt leaves play after chest pains

SKOKIE, Ill. - Chest pains will keep actor George Wendt from performing as Oscar Madison in a Chicago-area production of "The Odd Couple."

Northlight Theatre announced Tuesday that the actor famous for playing Norm Peterson on the TV show "Cheers" checked into a hospital Sunday and is receiving medical attention. Northlight Theatre executive director Timothy Evans says Wendt "will eventually make a full recovery."

The 64-year-old Wendt was to perform in the show from Nov. 2 through Dec. 9 in the Chicago suburb of Skokie. He will be replaced by actor Marc Grapey, who previously performed in "The Odd Couple" on Broadway with Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick.

Pitt donates $100K for gay marriage effort

WASHINGTON - Brad Pitt has agreed to donate $100,000 to help the Human Rights Campaign raise money for its efforts to support same-sex marriage initiatives in several states.

The nation's largest gay rights group announced Wednesday that Pitt agreed to match contributions from the group's members up to $100,000.

In an email to members of the Human Rights Campaign, Pitt wrote that it's "unbelievable" that people's relationships will be put to a vote on Election Day.

Same-sex marriage will be on the ballot in Maryland, Maine, Minnesota and Washington state.

The Washington, D.C.-based Human Rights Campaign says it has spent $8 million to push for marriage equality for gays and lesbians over the past two years, including $5 million in the four ballot measures this year.