We all know there are plenty of Jews in New York.  Perhaps that's why NBA superstar Amare Stoudemire has signed with the Knicks. 

The five-time NBA All-Star is on a weeklong visit to learn about Israel, its language and religions. He believes he has "Hebrew roots" through his mother, Carrie.

"She studied the Scriptures and history and she believes she is a Hebrew," he told The Associated Press in Jerusalem. "I grew up in a very spiritual home. It's not about religion, it's about spirituality for me."

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Stoudemire said he was "soaking up the culture" with his girlfriend and a few other friends from home.

He has long suspected his Jewish lineage -- Judaism is passed down through the mother's side. Stoudemire's agent, Happy Walters, said his client is a "student of history" and is "exploring religions in general."

He added that Stoudemire may turn to a genealogist when he returns to New York to dig deeper.

The 6-foot-10 forward signed a five-year, $100 million contract with the Knicks three weeks ago. He will now be playing in the city with the largest Jewish population in the United States.

The NBA features two Jewish players: Israeli Omri Casspi of the Sacramento Kings and Jordan Farmar of the New Jersey Nets.

Stoudemire said he's spoken to Casspi a few times about Judaism, "but we didn't go into details about it."

Stoudemire has begun studying Hebrew and his Twitter page features such words as "Shalom," "Le'chayim" and "ze ha'halom sheli," Hebrew for "this is my dream."

"It's great," he said. "Hebrew is the original language."

On Twitter, he also called himself "the new Reggie White," saying "I'm going 2 Israel 2 study Hebrew. It's time 2 get a better understanding on who we R."

White, the late NFL star who was an ordained minister, traveled to Israel late in his life and studied Hebrew to learn Scripture in its original form.

Stoudemire spent his first eight NBA seasons with the Phoenix Suns, where he won the 2003 Rookie of the Year award and became one of the league's dominant players. Now, his possible Jewish ties have stirred interest in Israel, with bloggers dreaming he could one day join the Israeli national team.

Stoudemire, however, laughed that off.

"I'm looking forward to playing in the 2012 Olympics," he said. "For the USA."

If you thought Mel Gibson's anti-Semitic rant several years back was just a fluke, think again.

The actor/director is heard allegedly acknowledging that he hit the mother of his 8-month-old daughter in a recording released by Radaronline.com.

The eight-minute recording posted Monday is purportedly a phone argument between Gibson and then-girlfriend Oksana Grigorieva. A voice sounding distinctively like the Academy Award-winner is heard telling Grigorieva that she "deserved" to be hit after she chastised him for allegedly punching her in the face and breaking two of her teeth.

"What kind of a man is that?" she is heard saying. "Hitting a woman when she's holding a child in her hands? Breaking her teeth twice in the face! What kind of man is that?"

"Oh, you're all angry now!" Gibson responds. "You know what, you ... (expletive deleted) deserved it!"

Alan Nierob, a spokesman for Gibson, declined comment on the tape.

The new tape comes just days after another recording first surfaced on that website. On it, Gibson is reportedly heard referring to one of his staff members as a "wetback," a racial slur used against people of Latino heritage.

According to Radar, Gibson implies he will report his female staffer to immigration authorities, saying, "I will report her to the f---ing people that take f---ing money from the wetbacks."

Speaking to Grigorieva, he says, "You look like a f---ing pig in heat, and if you get raped by a pack of n----rs, it will be your fault," he says.

On the tapes, Gibson threatens Grigorieva and repeatedly refers to her as a "whore," a "c--t" and a "b---h," the website said.

Gibson's talent agency has dropped him.

The "King" is leaving his throne.

After a quarter-century at CNN's "Live", Larry King has announced that he is stepping down as host this fall.  The 76-year-old revealed in an interview he felt no pressure from the network to leave. 

"I'm tired of the nightly grind," he said. "I do want to do other things, but I want to stay at CNN in some way ... . There's a case of great mixed emotions." 

Adam Sandler has some "growing up" to do.  Let's just hope it won't happen any time soon.

The Jewish funny man's latest comedy, "Grown Ups", debuts this weekend.  He, along with his costars (who happen to be some of his real-life BFF's), including Chris Rock, Kevin James, David Spade and Rob Schneider, attended the New York premiere of the film on Wednesday night.  They play five friends, who, after their high school basketball coach passes away, reunite for a Fourth of July holiday weekend at the lake house where they celebrated their biggest victory.

Sandler plays a big shot, Hollywood agent with spoiled kids and a high-maintenance wife, played Salma Hayek.

"It was so much fun and cool and I feel like I've known them since I was that age and it was just the best experience you could possibly have. And you know what else? On top of it the film turned out great," said Hayek.

Rob Schneider's character is the butt of many jokes as a health nut hippy, married to a much older woman.

"I feel like we all had each others' backs," explained Schneider. "We you get these comedians in their forties, we've accomplished a lot. It's not like trying to make it when we were eighteen or nineteen and it's like 'give me a job, please,' you know. So in that sense the pressures off."

Amanda Bynes is going into retirement early... really, really early.

The 24-year-old actress - - whose mother is Jewish, has announced through Twitter that she's done with acting.

"Being an actress isn't as fun as it may seem," she wrote. "If I don't love something anymore, I stop doing it. I don't love acting anymore, so I've stopped doing it."

"I know 24 is a young age to retire but you heard it here first I've retired," she added.

Bynes rose to fame on Nickelodeon's All That and her own comedy series, The Amanda Show. She starred on her own sitcom, What I Like About You, from 2002 to 2006. She's also appeared in feature films such as She's the Man, What a Girl Wants, and Hairspray.

If you're a fan of Amanda, you won't have to say goodbye just yet.  She stars in the new film, Easy A, which hits theaters this fall.

No word on what she plans to do now that she will no longer be in front of the camera.

Let's hope three times a charm for Harrison Ford.

The actor, who is half-Jewish, got married to his fiance, actress Calista Flockhart, after eight years of dating.  It all went down on Tuesday in New Mexico, where he's filming the new movie, "Cowboys and Aliens". 

The wedding took place at the Governor's Mansion in Santa Fe, and was performed by Governor Bill Richardson under legal supervision of the state's Chief Justice.  Governor Richardson and his wife are good friends with the couple.

The 67-year-old and 45-year-old began dating after meeting at the Golden Globes in 2002.  Ford proposed to Flockhart on Valentine's Day, last year. 

This is Ford's third marriage.  He has four children, as well as a few grandchildren.  And, this was Flockart's first trip down the aisle.  She has a 9-year-old son, Liam, whom she adopted at birth.  Both of them are raising him.  Liam was also in attendance for the magic moment on Tuesday.

Mazel Tov!

The New York Mets are not going Gaga over an incident at Citi Field.

Singing sensation Lady Gaga was on hand for a game on Thursday afternoon.  She was reportedly upset that her front-row seats were too close to photographers.  So, stadium officials decided to move her later in the game to a luxury box... owned by Jerry Seinfeld.

If her skimpy outfit wasn't enough, Gaga created even more controversy when she was photographed giving the middle finger at the game.  She was also booed by the fans.

What a way to go. 

Just two months shy of her 90th birthday, Helen Thomas, the longtime Washington journalist, has abruptly retired as a columnist for Heart News Service.  This, after remarks she made about Israelis that were caught on tape, saying they should, quote, "Get the hell out of Palestine", and go instead to Germany, Poland or the United States.

Rabbi David Nesenoff, an independent filmmaker from Long Island who runs the website RabbiLIVE.com, said he approached Thomas outside the White House after being there for Jewish Heritage Day on May 27.

It's a shame that, at the age of 89, and after all of her accomplishments, Thomas will be remembered most, for this.  There's no way she could have continued at her job.  The fact is, she has lost all credibility as an objective journalist.  On a happy note, I'm sure there are plenty of places for her to retire... heck, even Israel.

Hey JBuzz gang!

Recently, I interviewed the legendary Joan Rivers. What an interesting entertainer! It had to do with her new documentary about herself, "A Piece of Work". The 411 is pretty much, the 76-year-old will do anything (and I mean ANYTHING), to stay relevant in Hollywood. From a standup comedienne, to a regular on "The Tonight Show" with Johnny Carson, to the hits and misses on red carpet fashion, to winning the second season of "Celebrity Apprentice". Yes, she's back on the "A list" again. We also dipped into her Jewish upbringing. Here are some of the highlights of the interview:

* What has been the secret to your success?

"Never feeling comfortable. Never feeling accepted. Always being the outsider, feeling like I'm trying to get in"

* What has been one or two of the highlights of your career?

"Getting my Tony nomination, and getting my Emmy"

* Do you plan to get more plastic surgery?

"Absolutely, of course"

* Joan is not your given name. What is it? When did you change it, and why?

"Joan Molinsky. I changed it, because in the early 60's, people had theatrical names. My agent was Tony Rivers. So, I said I'll become Joan Rivers"

* What was it like growing up in a Jewish household?

"My parents founded the temple in Larchmont (in Westchester, New York). We were reform, but still observed Friday night shabbat, all the holidays, it was normal"

* How has being Jewish molded you in your life, and career?

"Jewish religion is an ethical religion. I think the philosophy is good, to be kind, mind your business, work hard, and education"

* Have you faced anti-semitism?

"Of course. But I'm just as bad. We all strike out stupidly. If you don't want me in your country, I don't want to be in your country. Who cares"

* Who are some of your favorite all-time Jewish comedians?

"Sarah Silverman, Jerry Seinfeld, and Larry David"

* Melissa Rivers, your daughter, does she share your same passion in being Jewish?

"She's a third generation American Jew. I think she's more cultural, observes the holidays. But, unfortunately, they're moving away. Her first husband was not Jewish. But, my grandchild is being raised Jewish"

* What is your favorite Jewish holiday?

"Passover because it's so much fun, and Yom Kippur, the breaking of the fast"

The full interview will air at a later date during JL TV's "J Report". Stay tuned, and check back right here for the latest in Jewish celebrity news, with JBuzz!

Memorial Day weekend has a different meaning for many people.  Some folks go on vacation.  Others hit the beach.  For me, it's a time to catch up on my movies!  And, there are three new ones out this weekend, all starring Jewish actors.

First, there's "Sex And The City 2", starring Sarah Jessica Parker.  The Fab Four leave New York for a glamorous trip, to the Middle East.  It's an escape that comes exactly at the right moment for the lovely ladies, who are finding themselves in, and fighting against, the traditional roles of marriage, and motherhood.

If an action flick is more up your alley, look out for Jake Gyllenhaal in "Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time".  He plays a prince, who teams up with a rival princess, to stop an angry ruler from unleashing a sandstorm, that could destroy the world.

And, in limited release, there's the historical drama, "Agora", set in the 4th century, in Alexandria, Egypt.  Rachel Weisz stars as a famous atheist philosopher during the rise of Christianity, and the fall of the Roman Empire.

Have a great weekend.  And, check back again here real soon for more Jewish celebrity JBuzz!

William Shatner is boldy going where he has never gone before: starring in his first sitcom!

The 79-year-old, Jewish-American "Star Trek" legend will play the father of a guy who has more than a million followers on his Twitter account.  And, the son's tweets are all about his dad.  The series is inspired by the Twitter feed of 29-year old Justin Halpern, who also penned the script for the pilot.  As of now, the name of the show is (this is not a typo): “$#*! My Dad Says".

While the Twitter page consists of random quotes edited to fit a 140-character limit, the TV version will offer a fleshed-out back story loosely based on Halpern's life.

It centers on a guy in his mid-20's who finds himself over-educated, under-employed and forced to move in with his parents.

The program is one of six new ones CBS will add next season.  They include the FBI profilers drama, "Criminal Minds" and a remake of the 1970's police series, "Hawaii Five-0".  The network is also ordering a comedy about a couple who meet in a support group for overeaters.  There's a cop drama with Tom Selleck, and a legal series based in Las Vegas.

Sorry to break it to you, ladies.  It turns out, Larry King is not back on the market, after all.

You see, last month, the legendary talk show host, and his wife, Shawn, each filed for divorce.  But, the 76-year-old has now checked out of the Beverly Hills hotel, where he had been residing, and returned home.  Why the sudden change of heart?

"We love our children, we love each other, we love being a family," they told E! in a joint statement.  "That is all that matters to us.  We owe it to ourselves and our children to continue being dedicated to each other.  We want to thank our friends for their loyal love and support -- for being there for us."

King, who was raised Jewish, but now considers himself agnostic, and his 50-year-old wife, have been married for 12½ years, and have two boys together.

If King and his wife had split, it would have been his eighth divorce.

Barbara Walters is used to talking about the news on her hit TV show, "The View".  But, it's the TV legend who is the one making headlines of her own.

The 80-year-old Jewish-American announced on her program that she is having surgery to replace a faulty heart valve later this week and take the summer off to recover.  Walters said she's known about her condition for a while, and decided with her doctors that this is the best time to have the surgery.  The goal is to be back by September.

"Since the summer is coming up, I can take a nice vacation," she said.

Walters has the full support from ABC.

"There's no denying that this is a serious surgery," said ABC News President David Westin. "  "But it's also the type of surgery that has been done often and successfully.  And, as those of us who work with Barbara know, she's in excellent condition.  So we have every reason to expect a great result and a speedy recovery."

Whoopi Goldberg, her co-host on "The View", asked whether Walters was scared.  Walters replied, "Look, nobody wants to have this kind of surgery", but pointed out how this kind of procedure has become more commonplace.

She has a good point, since other celebrities, like Former First lady Barbara Bush and comedian Robin Williams, had heart valve replacement surgery last year.

I think I speak for everyone, when I wish Walters good luck, and a speedy recovery.   

Scarlett Johansson is among many Hollywood heavyweights who earned an Emmy nomination this year.  The half-Jewish, half-Scandinavian blonde beauty scored her first one for her role in, "A View From The Bridge."  "It has been a dream come true to be a part of the Broadway community," Johansson said.  "I am deeply honored to be nominated and so proud to have been a part of this extraordinary production."  Scarlett's co-star, and fellow Member of the Tribe, Liev Schreiber, also earned a nomination.

There were plenty of other A-listers who landed Tony nominations, including Denzel Washington, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Christopher Walken.

As far as the overall picture heading into Broadway's biggest night, two strikingly different musicals, "Fela!" - - the innovative Afro-beat biography of Nigerian superstar Fela Anikulapo-Kuti - - and "La Cage aux Folles" - - a revival of the classic Jerry Herman-Harvey Fierstein musical celebrating family - - each earned a leading 11 nominations.

Winners will be announced June 13th during a ceremony televised by CBS from Radio City Music Hall.

Will William Shatner boldly go where no "Star Trek" star has gone before?

Fans north of the border have created a Facebook page dedicated to getting William Shatner, a Jewish native of Montreal,

Leonard Nimoy plans to "live long and prosper", in retirement.

The 79-year-old, who we know best as Spock, told the Toronto Sun, “I’ve been doing this professionally for 60 years.  I love the idea of going out on a positive note.  I’ve had a great time.”

His final acting gig was guest starring on Fox's sci-fi show, "Fringe", in which he played Dr. William Bell, the founder and chairman of a global technology company.  While we saw him make a cameo in the latest "Star Trek" film, don't expect him to throw on the Vulcan ears, one last time, for the 2012 movie, saying it's time for NBC's "Heroes" star, Zachary Quinto, who plays a younger Spock, to shine.

“I want to get off the stage,” he confessed.  “(Quinto) is a terrific actor, he looks the part, and it’s time to give him some space. And I’m very flattered the character will continue.”       

While Nimoy is calling it quits when it comes to acting, creative juices still run through his body.  He plans to focus on photography, his specialty being unusual nude portraits.  “I’ve built credibility now in the art world,” he said, admitting that at first the community was skeptical about his works.  In 2002 Nimoy published "Shekhina", a photography book of Jewish women, with commentary on Jewish tradition and scripture.  He also penned the 1975 autobiography "I Am Not Spock", 1995’s "I Am Spock", and several books of poetry.  He has five musical albums to his credit as well.

In the words of his character Borat, Sacha Baron Cohen may have some "very niiiiiiiiiice" news to share.

The comedian's wife, Isla Fisher, has been seen around Los Angeles with a baby bump, and has worn very loose clothes, possibly to try and hide it.  However, an official announcement has not been made.  And, don't expect one any time soon, either.  That's because the pair are known for their privacy.  In fact, the couple quietly got married last month in a traditional Jewish ceremony in Paris, with only close family and friends in attendance.

If Isla is pregnant, this would be their second child.  Their daughter, Olive, was born in 2007.

Daniel Radcliffe works his "Harry Potter" magic by landing another gig on Broadway.

The actor will star in a revival of the 1961 Tony award winner, "How To Succeed In Business Without Even Trying".  The role, which was revived in 1995 by Matthew Broderick, concerns J. Pierrepont Finch, a fiercely ambitious young man who rises from the mailroom to the upper echelons of the World-Wide Wicket Company.  He also finds love on his way up (and down) the corporate ladder.  And, unlike his previous work, we'll see Radcliffe sing, and dance.  Look for that to open in spring 2011. 

Breaking news regarding news legend, Larry King.  As he prepares for his EIGHTH divorce, his estranged wife, Shawn Southwick, could soon be in store for a huge pay day.

TMZ has learned that there is no prenup!  In the state of California, earnings accumuated during a marriage are split 50/50.  The talk show host is reportedly worth about $144 million.  And, he's in talks for another large, four-year contract with CNN.

The 76-year-old, who was raised Jewish, but now considers himself agnostic, has had seven different wives.  He divorced one of them twice.

As far as this latest marriage, King and Southwick tied the knot in 1997, and have two children together.  What went wrong?  Well, in legal papers, each of them cited "irreconcilable differences".  However, tabloid reports claim Southwick believes King slept with her sister, which King's people have denied.

As Steven Spielberg's new miniseries, "The Pacific", is still sailing on HBO, the Oscar winner has another project in the works.

The Discovery Channel has announced plans to work with Spielberg on "Future Earth", an animated miniseries exploring what life will be like in 25, 50, and 100 years.  It will draw from a vast number of sources, including the leading futurists, scholars and great minds of today, to dramatize and explore how various facets of our daily lives - health and medicine, technology, the environment, the military, the economy and media - will evolve over the next century.  The show is scheduled to debut in late 2011.  The network added it would like to work with Spielberg and his Dreamworks production companies on future projects as well.

There's no denying Spielberg has his passions, which he translates into his work.  Yes, one of them is Jewish causes (Schindler's List, Munich).  Another is American history, specifically, World War II (Saving Private Ryan, Band of Brothers, The Pacific), and, groundbreaking special effects and technology (Jurassic Park, Transformers, AI).  This latest project fits into those last two categories.  Can't wait for "Future Earth" to take flight!