Happy 99th Birthday Mel Brooks!

Mel Brooks pulls a prank at his TCL Chinese Theatre Handprint Ceremony, June 30, 2017.
How fast can you spot it?

 

It was an honor to get to cover this event honoring Mel Brooks, and what a brilliant prank to pull. I can only imagine how many people will be perplexed for centuries to come when they place their own hands in his prints and notice something is off.  

Happy (belated) Birthday to Jason Schwartzman!

Jason Schwartzman at LAX airport in Los Angeles, CA, January 24, 2015.

I was very appreciative that Jason gave me a thumbs up when I asked him if I could take a photo at LAX. He's a super nice and humble guy, and I am a big fan of his acting and musical work. I have nothing but respect for him so I would not have wanted to upset him if he didn't want to be photographed. I try to be respectful when possible.

Jason used to be a regular at the video store I worked at, and was probably the first or second celebrity customer I interacted with several times. The store allowed me to put my own toy video fan film DVDs on the shelf as free rentals, and Jason was a fan of Probot Toy Cinema. So he was my first mutual-fan. It was great to bump into him again a decade later.

Happy Birthday Aubrey Plaza!

 

 

Aubrey Plaza and Chris Pratt attend the Sundance NEXT FEST screening of 'Life After Beth' at the Theatre at Ace Hotel in Los Angeles, CA. 8th August, 2014. Photos by Diabolik

This was an extra cool moment because Chris Pratt wasn't expected, but crashed the carpet. She was surprised and gave him a big hug. 
 

Aubrey Plaza and Jeff Baena 8th August, 2014. Photos by Diabolik

Happy Birthday Selma Blair!

Selma Blair with her son at Mr. Bones' Puimpkin Patch in Los Angeles, CA, on Saturday, the 13th of October, 2012.

This pumpkin patch had a "paparazzi pen" where we were allowed to film any celebrities who showed up. So people who hate paparazzi should know that any celebrity who comes here with their kids is well aware that paparazzi are welcome there, so the people who choose to go usually don't mind at all. 

I have a soft spot for Selma and all that she's been through since I got to work as a PA on the miniature pyro effects for the original 'Hellboy' film.
 

No Kings Protest - Los Angeles - June 14, 2025

L.A. Anti-ICE Protest - June 8th 2025 - 3D Photos

 Photos by Diabolik

 

FLASHBACK: 'The A-Team' Premiere 2010

 

Liam Neeson, Quinton 'Rampage' Jackson, Sharlto Copley and Bradley Cooper make a grand entrance at the "A-Team" Premiere. Hollywood, CA. June 3rd, 2010. Photos by Diabolik 

Cross your eyes to overlap the images and unlock the 3D magic! 

Fifteen years ago today, this turned out to be an especially fun day, because I never thought I'd see the A-Team van rolling down Hollywood Boulevard... let alone a TANK!

 

I had no credentials for this premiere, but decided to try my luck anyway because I'm of a certain age who grew up watching "The A-Team" obsessively. So imagine my surprise when I noticed a couple of interesting vehicles hiding in the alleyway just south of the El Capitan Theatre. The A-Team van was riddled with bullet holes and everything, and there it was, just parked... next to an orange Lamborghini and a tank. So I snapped a few photos and then waited for the fun to begin.

 

There was an A-Team chopper circling above the red carpet, and then the vehicles emerged from the alleyway. If I had acquired credentials, I would have been stuck on the carpet and wouldn't have been able to get these awesome shots of the cast's grand entrance in the van and riding the tank. I especially love seeing these shots in 3-D because it gives a much more realistic sense of what it was like to witness this. I was instantaneously 11 years old again.

 

I love it when a plan comes together! 

 

Not the most memorable movie, but an unforgettable premiere!