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Paul Eckstein, co-creator of the TV series “Godfather of Harlem,” died Tuesday, an Amazon publicist confirmed to Variety. He was 59.

“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of our brilliant colleague, Paul Eckstein, the co-creator and executive producer of ‘Godfather of Harlem’ and a beloved member of the MGM+ and ABC Signature families. Working on the series was a labor of love for Paul who based the show in part on his family’s personal history. Paul was passionate, a creative force, known for his kindness, and generosity. He was a mentor and friend to many, and he will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and his longtime collaborator Chris Brancato,” MGM+ and ABC Signature said in a joint statement.

Eckstein served as a co-creator, executive producer and writer on the Emmy-award-winning series “Godfather of Harlem,” which stars Forest Whitaker as a Harlem mobster.

Paul Eckstein, the co-creator and and executive producer of “Godfather of Harlem,” has died at the age of 59. Eckstein passed away peacefully in his sleep on Tuesday morning, his family said.

“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of our brilliant colleague, Paul Eckstein, the co-creator and executive producer of Godfather of Harlem and a beloved member of the MGM+ and ABC Signature families,” MGM+ and ABC Signature said in a statement. “Working on the series was a labor of love for Paul who based the show in part on his family’s personal history. Paul was passionate, a creative force, known for his kindness, and generosity. He was a mentor and friend to many, and he will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and his longtime collaborator Chris Brancato.”

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Paul Eckstein, co-creator and executive producer of the drama series Godfather of Harlem and an actor who appeared multiple times on Star Trek: Voyager and other shows, has died. He was 59. A spokesperson for MGM+ and ABC Signature told Deadline that he died unexpectedly in his sleep on June 6.

“We are deeply shocked and saddened by the sudden passing of our brilliant colleague, Paul Eckstein,” MGM+ and ABC Signature said in a statement. “Working on the series was a labor of love for Paul, who based the show in part on his family’s personal history. Paul was passionate, a creative force, known for his kindness, and generosity. He was a mentor and friend to many, and he will be dearly missed. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, and his longtime collaborator Chris Brancato.”

Family and friends described Eckstein as “many things: a celebrated storyteller, a devoted husband,...

Dori Oskowitz has signed on to direct an untitled indie film about the origins of the global rave movement in 1980s Dallas.

It was a time when the drug ecstasy, then known as 'Molly,' was legal and fueled a social phenomenon across all demographics from gay discos to yuppy dinner parties to college frat parties. The movement then vanished after ecstasy became illegal in 1985.

Richard Stratton ("Slam," "Street Time") will pen the script while Braxton Pope will produce. Also involved are former NBA player Steve Nash and Dallas-based music producer Wade Randolph Hampton (aka DJ WishFM).

Source: Variety...

Legendary film critic Roger Ebert reminisces about the eccentric hotel on Jermyn Street that for 25 years was his sanctuary – but now faces demolition

Oh, no. No. No. This ­cannot be. They're ­tearing down 22 Jermyn Street in London. The whole block is going. Bates hat shop, Trumper the barber, Getti the Italian restaurant, the Jermyn Street theatre, Sergios cafe, the lot. Jermyn Street was my street in ­London. My neighbourhood.

There, on a corner near the Lower Regent Street end, I found a time capsule within which the ­eccentricity and charm of an earlier time was still preserved. It was called the ­Eyrie ­Mansion. When I stayed there, I ­considered myself to be living there. I always wanted to live in London, and this was the closest I ever got.

Many years ago I was in London and unhappily staying in a hotel room so small, they had to store my...

New York -- World Wrestling Entertainment has named Mike Pavone to the post of executive vp of WWE Studios.

He will lead WWE Studios' theatrical releases, direct-to-dvd movies, series and reality programming and report directly to WWE chairman Vince McMahon.

With more than 18 years of experience in the film and TV industry, Pavone has since 2008 worked as a strategic consultant to WWE's creative writing department, collaborating on the company's TV programs "Monday Night Raw" and "Friday Night SmackDown."

He has worked on such TV fare as "Prison Break," "Jack & Jill" and "Street Time," as well as film projects like "Northmen" and "Seven Men from Now."

"Mike brings a great combination of both filmed entertainment and television experience to his new role," said McMahon. "We are confident that he can expand the breadth and depth of opportunities for WWE Studios."...

LongHouse Reserve's Spring Benefit will take place Thursday, March 19, 2009 at Lotos Club (New York City) 5 East Sixty-sixth Street Time: 6:30 pm - Reception and Dinner 8:00 pm - Reading and Dessert Edward Albee and Marian Seldes will present a reading of Mr. Albee's play Counting the Ways. Tickets: $250, $500, and $1,000 - Reception, Dinner and Reading; $150- Reading and Dessert only Tickets can be purchased by calling...

Time seems to be up for Showtime's gritty crime drama Street Time. Sources said the premium cable network is pulling the plug on the series, which stars Rob Morrow and Scott Cohen, after two seasons. The Sony Pictures TV show premiered to strong reviews in June 2002. Its second season wrapped earlier this fall. Showtime and Sony Pictures TV declined comment Wednesday.

Tennis champion Serena Williams is making the move from the court to the big screen. The Wimbledon 2003 winner has signed to appear in independent film The Parkers - which stars Vivica Fox - and will also appear in two episodes of American series Street Time. Serena, who along with sister Venus is credited with revolutionizing women's tennis, will play a reformed gang member on parole in the crime drama. Williams' last foray into acting was as a schoolteacher in US sitcom My Wife And Kids. Since then she has signed up with prestigious talent company the William Morris Agency.

NEW YORK -- Showtime has renewed the original series Street Time and is preparing for the relaunch of the gritty crime drama April 30. The Sony Pictures Television series, starring Rob Morrow as a troubled parolee, bowed on Showtime in July, but the show was taken off the air before it finished its first-season order of 13 episodes. Showtime now intends to run the remaining seven episodes from the first season starting April 30 in the 10:45 p.m. Wednesday time slot, following the drama series Soul Food. Those seven episodes will then be rerun in the Wednesday 10 p.m. time slot starting June 25, which will lead into Street Time's second-season premiere, set for August. In Season 2, Street will feature a new cast member, Terrence Dashon Howard (Ali), who will play a parole supervisor. Stars Morrow, Scott Cohen and Erika Alexander are set to return.