DEAR STACY: I was surprised to hear that the very gifted actress Carrie Snodgress is no longer alive. She wasn't that old, was she? When did she die and what was the cause of death? — Eliot F., Brunswick, Ohio

DEAR ELIOT: Snodgress succumbed to heart failure while hospitalized awaiting a liver transplant at age 57 in April of 2004. The actress, who earned a 1970 Oscar nomination for "Diary of a Mad Housewife," left the business for most of the '70s to live with rock star Neil Young and care for their son, Zeke, who was born with cerebral palsy. Her son was at her side when she died. Snodgress' last major credit was the 2004 miniseries "Iron Jawed Angels."

DEAR STACY: Please give some background on Christine Lakin of the CW's "Valentine." — G.U., Bronx, N.Y.

DEAR G.U.: The 29-year-old Dallas-born, Atlanta-raised talent, who played the "Nottie" in Paris Hilton's "The Hottie and the Nottie" comedy earlier this year, is known for her work on MTV's improv comedy show "Wild 'N Out," and as part of L.A.'s zany Troubadour Theatre Company. She got her first big break playing the tomboy daughter "Al" on the '90s sitcom "Step By Step" with Patrick Duffy and Suzanne Somers. With a long credit list including "The Game Plan" and "Georgia Rule," she's definitely able to play straight roles as well. Besides her series work, she has several features in the offing, including Disney's March-debuting "Race to Witch Mountain."

DEAR STACY: Can you tell me when "Medium" will be returning? Also, did Patricia Arquette's grandfather, Cliff Arquette, live long enough to see her show business success? — Judy R., Bayside, N.Y.

DEAR JUDY: Comedian Cliff Arquette, still fondly remembered as his Charley Weaver character, died in 1974 at age 68, when Patricia was a mere 6 years old and eldest sibling Rosanna was 15. "Medium" was initially set for a January 2009 midseason debut on the NBC lineup, but in October, the network told producers to have the show ready for a return before year's end, and ordered three additional scripts for the psychic/crime drama.

DEAR STACY: Please tell me the name of the sitcom that starred Cameron Diaz when she was a child. I can't find it anywhere. — Lori M., Uniontown, Ohio

DEAR LORI: You must be thinking of someone else. Diaz' acting career began when she was 22 years old and landed the leading lady role in Jim Carrey's "The Mask" in 1994. Ever adventurous, she left home at 16 and became a globetrotting model.

DEAR STACY: Charlene Tilton was one of my favorites back in "Dallas" days. Please give an update on her status professionally and personally. — Dave, Queens, N.Y.

DEAR DAVE: Tilton, 49, keeps a busy, eclectic schedule including "Dallas" fan events such as yesterday's (Nov. 8) 30th Annual Reunion at the Southfork Ranch in Texas. She'll be on stage at The Kings Theatre in Southsea, England in a Dec. 10-Jan. 4 run of "Cinderella," and she writes what she calls a "good news, fun, silly" gossip column for The Globe tabloid. Her activities this year also included a cameo in the feature "Superhero Movie," a role in the Lifetime telepic "Panic Button," a performing gig with L.A.'s ACME Comedy Theater in a sketch comedy show, and inclusion in a program called "Body Challenge Hollywood" seen on the FIT TV cable outlet. Twice divorced, Tilton is the mother of a grown daughter, Cherish Lee, who is also an actress. She lives in Los Angeles.

DEAR STACY: What is Billy Crystal up to? Haven't seen him in too long. — Herm S., Bayonne, N.J.

DEAR HERM: The funny man has the big-screen "Tooth Fairy" with Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Julie Andrews and Ashley Judd due for release next year. It's his first live-action feature since '02's "Analyze That." He was busy touring the U.S. and Australia into 2007 with his 2005 Tony Award-winning (Best Special Theatrical Event) one-man play, "700 Sundays." Crystal also puts in his time on various charitable activities, such an all-star reading of "The World of Nick Adams" in San Francisco for the benefit of the Painted Turtle Camp, one of the family of the late Paul Newman's Hole in the Wall Camps for seriously ill children.

DEAR STACY: Please settle a disagreement. My brother-in-law says that both Al Pacino and Andy Garcia are short in stature. I'm thinking yes, Pacino sand no, Garcia. — D.T., Cleveland, Ohio

DEAR D.T.: You win. Al Pacino is 5-foot-6. Garcia is a little over 5-foot-10.

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

COPYRIGHT 2008 MARILYN BECK AND STACY JENEL SMITH

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