If He’s Sonny’s Heir, He Wants His Share
Say you shared a bloodline with Sonny Bono but had miraculously avoided inheriting his goofy looks, squeaky voice and bickering relatives. Would you go around claiming he’s your dad? Sean Machu would. Last week a California judge ruled that the coroner who examined Bono’s body in 1998 must release a sample of his blood so that Machu can have its DNA tested. Machu, 35, has been saying for years that Bono was his father, the result of a fling Sonny had with his mother, Mimi. Bono writes about the “one-night affair” in his autobiography and is even listed on Machu’s birth certificate. But now that the singing congressman’s million-dollar estate is in probate, Machu is getting serious about proving he’s Sonny’s son. Not that this is about his inheritance. “It’s the principle of the matter,” says Machu. “I’ve waited a long time to learn the truth.” Though getting some of Sonny’s money would be a nice bonus.
Leo Sinks Again
Maybe Leonardo DiCaprio should stay out of boats. While filming a canoe scene for his movie “The Beach,” Leo capsized in rough seas near Thailand. The actor, along with costar Tilda Swinton and their crew, spent about 10 minutes in the drink before being rescued. “DiCaprio kept his cool and was actually quite heroic,” said the film’s production coordinator. “He looked after a few ladies who were also forced to jump.” No surprise there. He’s had practice.
Ultrahigh Frequency: Tree TV Branches Out
Unlike most talking heads, Julia Butterfly Hill doesn’t worry about her hair and makeup. The tough part is getting the camera crew up the tree. For the last 16 months, Hill has been living in a California redwood she hopes to save from loggers. On Earth Day last week she debuted as a commentator on “The Thin Green Line,” a monthly show on the Outdoor Life Network. The segments are taped from the 6-by-8-foot platform she calls home–100 feet off the ground. “Getting people in is quite an ordeal,” says Hill. “Usually they have to have something to drink to revitalize themselves.” Good thing she’s got such a nice green room.
