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David Gergen, a former political analyst and consultant to four American presidents, has died. He was 83.

His son, Christopher, confirmed to the New York Times that Gergen died of Lewy body dementia in his retirement community.

The North Carolina native was a well-respected journalistic force for his political experience and bipartisan understanding, having advised the GOP’s Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan as well as Democrat Bill Clinton. He was director of speechwriting for Nixon, director of communications for Reagan and Ford and a counselor for Clinton.

Gergen got his start in broadcast journalism appearing on PBS’ “McNeil-Lehrer News Hour” in 1984. There, he worked with Mark Shields. He went on to become the chief editor of “U.S. News & World Report.”

It came as a surprise when Gergen joined Clinton in 1993, given his track record with the Republican Party. Talking to PBS at the time, Gergen broke down...

Updated with CNN statement: David Gergen, a political analyst for CNN and frequent political commentator who was an adviser to four U.S. presidents, has died. He was 83.

His son, Christopher, told The New York Times that the cause was Lewy body dementia. His daughter, Katherine Gergen Barnett, disclosed in December that he had been diagnosed with the illness.

Gergen was the rare figure who served as an adviser to presidents of different parties, including Republicans Richard Nixon, Gerald Ford and Ronald Reagan and Democrat Bill Clinton — experience that he chronicled in his 2001 book Eyewitness to Power: The Essence of Leadership, Nixon to Clinton.

The bipartisan experience gave him credibility as a commentator that many others lacked, especially in an era flooded with punditry and where just about anyone could call themselves as a “political strategist.” His stern-yet-understated tone stood out, particularly as he could provide needed context at breaking news moments.

"Homeland" actor Damian Lewis is attached to star in the high-concept sci-fi thriller "Alone".

The story follows a U.S. astronaut who has to save the planet when he is the sole occupant of an orbiting space station.

Kirk Weddell penned the script and will co-direct with VFX veteran Chris Taylor. Weddell and Mark Shields will produce, and filming will take place in London.

Source: Screen Daily...

Exclusive: Genesis selling astronaut story from Kirk Weddell and Chris Taylor.

Damian Lewis is attached to star in sci-fi thriller Alone, which Genesis Film Sales is selling internationally and presenting to buyers at the Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff).

The high-concept story is about a Us astronaut who has to save the planet when he is the sole occupant of an orbiting space station.

The project will shoot in London. Kirk Weddell wrote the script and will co-direct with Chris Taylor, a VFX veteran who has worked on films including The Dark Knight Rises and Les Miserables.

Weddell and Mark Shields will produce for London-based Atlantic Picture Company. Gareth Jones (Lock Stock, Secretary) will serve as executive producer.

The Homeland actor recently shot another UK production, The Silent Storm, opposite Andrea Riseborough.

Lewis is represented by Markham, Froggatt and Irwin and Wme. Weddell is represented by Intellectual Property Group.

Following in the footsteps of her fellow “Californication” co-star Addison Timlin, who is about to land the female lead in “Odd Thomas”, former “Nanny” kid actor turned adult babe Madeline Zima has landed the female lead in director Matt Winn’s British horror/thriller “Storage”. Zima will play “a young woman who discovers a terrifying secret when she becomes trapped in an underground storage facility with a group of strangers.” Winn is directing from a script he co-wrote with Chris Denne. Mark Shields and Kirk Weddell of Atlantic Picture Company are producing along with executive producer Gareth Jones.