Celebrity News

LOFTY GOAL FOR WHOOPI GOLDBERG

WHOOPI — ask not Whoopi Who — is selling her SoHo loft. Huge living room, big bed room, large open kitchen, second kitchen that works as a bar. Whoopi, who’s had many elegant homes on both coasts — in the city, in the country, upstate, even an 8,000-acre farm in Vermont — also has a collection of African and black American art. She’s asking $3.9 mil. Does not include the collection of African and black American art.

SO, these friends were at the bar in The Foundry in the Meatpacking District. Professional womanizer Alex Rodriguez, who now and then squeezes in a few hours with the Yankees, arrives with his newest temp — Kate Hudson. A quickie bar pit stop, then to their table, a butter pat away from my friends who also by now were seated. One of these friends had to use the men’s room. And while he’s in the gents’, in comes A-Rod. Now, having seen Alex up close, I can tell you exactly about his face. Never having shared a urinal with him, I cannot tell you about his other varying parts. I am now told, however — and reliably so — that there are reasons he scores big in RBIs.

ELLIOTT Gould is about to be amongst us. He’s here for this month’s Film Society of Lincoln Center festival, which opens with the 1969 flick “Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice.” It co-stars Natalie Wood, and the festival celebrates Natalie’s life.

“I remember where I was when I heard she drowned,” he said. “Sunday morning, 6:40, I was running in Will Rogers State Park with my headset on, and I heard the news. I see Robert Wagner lots, but we never mention that night. And I know Chris Walken, who was on their boat when it happened, but he and I never ever talk about that either. I keep photos of her — shots of us during our scenes together — in my trunk. A 1968 one with me, Natalie, Bob Culp and Mayor Lindsay I’ve sent to the festival.”

So where is he these days, and what’s he been doing?

“I’ve done movies and TV and been busy raising a family. I’m now a two-time grandfather — one of each. Henry‘s 10, Daisy‘s 5. They live in Northern California. I, who came from Brooklyn, now vote and pay taxes in Southern California. And I’m very close to my son with [first wife] Barbra Streisand. I love him with my heart and soul.

“My beloved daughter said you’re not dead until you’re forgotten. I always have my own personal struggles. I’m a good actor who’s always fighting to get beneath the roots of self-doubt. I’m now about to play a psychiatrist in a dark horror movie by Tony Perkins’ son Osgood. So when I asked them, ‘Why would I do this?’ the answer came: ‘Because we care for you.’ So I said, ‘Yes, I will do it.’ ”

ANDREW Tisch‘s 60th birthday party Friday is outdoors. Invites read: “Dress Backyard Festive.” . . . Gwyneth Paltrow to a reporter in Scotland: “I no longer read what people say about me. What normal person sits in a room and reads things written about them? Wasn’t getting me smarter, better or making me grow as a person. So I’ve stopped reading it.” . . . Prince Edward, reaching out Yankee-style for a firm handshake: “You can call me Mr. Wessex.” . . . Freedom From Fear, a nonprofit awareness group, says the average American worries 13 hours a week . . . One thing not to worry about is Bill Gates. Financial types estimate he’s a quadrillionaire before Social Security age . . . Seems like a mission impossible, but we are about to get hit with “Mission Impossible 4.” T. Cruise and J.J. Abrams will produce; writers already hired.

A 3.5 million-year-old skull just found in Af rica suggests an earlier branch of human development than primitive man. Hey, that’s one way to explain whoever thought up “Dance Your Ass Off.”

THIS man says: “So an old acquaintance has family trouble, is also in the hospital and sent a two-page handwritten letter asking for money. She needs $5,000. Who knows how true this is? Not like we’re close, nor can I tell for sure whether this is legit or not or what she really needs it for. I’m not loaning her $5,000, because I’ll never get that back. But I’m doing well and feel guilty she has to humble herself by asking for money.” Said his wise old friend: “Do not loan her a cent. Give her $500. Call it a gift, not a loan. This way you’ve eased your conscience, you’ve helped her out a little and she won’t have the nerve to ask you again.” And that’s what he did.

Only in New York, kids, only in New York.