Comic actor Jack Black grabbed his guitar and entertained striking writers during a rally in Burbank, California yesterday. Jack and fellow Tenacious D member Kyle Gass performed to support writers currently working on reality and game shows (yes, reality shows have writers. Believe it or not.) Jack, appearing on screen now in "Margot at the Wedding" looked like a rock star with his bleached blonde hair (it works for him, don't you think?)

Jack told reporters he was planning on slimming down before hitting the screen again (his next film is scheduled to be the Judd Apatow-directed Biblical comedy "Year One.") His diet inspiration was seeing his naked tush on screen in "Margot!"

Photograph by Anthony Monterotti

"High School Musical" star Vanessa Hudgens shows us she's still a kid at heart by bringing along a teddy bear on a flight out of LAX yesterday. She's heading to Washington DC to perform on the holiday special "Christmas in Washington" which benefits the Children's National Medical Center.

The 18-year-old actress is heading back to high school for the third chapter of the highly successful film series. The film, which will be released next October, follows Vanessa, on-screen (and off-screen) beau Zac Efron and the whole gang as they face the trials and tribulations of senior year - including prom. (I see a line of HSM prom dresses hitting stores in 2009, don't you?)  Unless "HSM4" follows the gang to college, Vanessa's going to have to find new projects soon!

Kate Hudson and her ex-hubby, Black Crowes lead singer Chris Robinson bundled up their son Ryder Russell and took him for a stroll in New York's West Village last night. The pair, whose divorce was finalized only a few months ago, are still good friends. Kate is rocking the casual chic look, a far cry from her glamorous look earlier this week at the grand opening of the new Dolce and Gabbana store. I can't help but think her legs must be cold. She should wear some long pants.

Ryder actually looks cute in his Uggs. I always thought they looked kind of silly on adults, but they look great on the kids!

Hayden Panettiere has had quite a busy week. On Wednesday, she was all smiles at the GQ Man of the Year Awards and yesterday, "Heroes'" indestructible cheerleader was spotted at LAX, heading out of town with mom Lesley. Hayden is going to be a speaker at the Weather Channel-sponsored Forecast Earth Summit. The environmentally conscious actress will be on hand to discuss her involvement with the Save the Dolphins campaign as well as the Declare Yourself initiative, encouraging young people to register and vote.

At a mere 18 years old, Hayden is becoming quite the hero herself. It's refreshing to see a young actress doing something besides quaff cappuccinos and shop till she drops!

Proud papa Larry Birkhead is all smiles as he shows off the new pink Converse sneakers he bought for his daughter with the late Anna Nicole Smith. Larry did a little Christmas shopping for Danielynn on LA's trendy Robertson Street yesterday and was mobbed by overeager photographers. Larry didn't seem to mind the attention and was more than happy to stop and pose.

Love him or hate him, Larry has turned out to be a good dad to his adorable one-year-old daughter. Details magazine even named him a "parental role model" (along with Kevin Federline!).

Photograph by Matt Symons

Lovely actress Eva Mendes sparkled in a gold cocktail dress and matching open-toed pumps as she hit NYC hot spot The Waverly restaurant last night. Her dinner was just the latest Big Apple adventure for Eva. Earlier in the week, she attended the opening of the new Dolce and Gabbana store with BFF Kate Hudson and was spotted at the swank Gramercy Park Hotel, using the treadmill in the fitness room alongside former "Dancing with the Stars" competitor Stacy Keibler.

Eva has recently been seen wearing a lot less, she's the latest actress to bear all for PETA's "I'd rather go naked than wear fur" campaign, following in the footsteps of Alicia Silverstone, Christina Applegate and Pamela Anderson. The "cheeky" ad made its debut in New York yesterday.

Teri Hatcher and her 10-year-old-daughter Emerson Rose are color-coordinated as they happily stroll down an LA street on Thursday (do you think they arranged that?) Teri, in her black sweats and white tee, complements her daughter's black leggings and top, finished off with a white blouse.

The "Desperate Housewives" star has a good reason to be smiling; as she got some good news regarding her pending lawsuit by skin care company Hydroderm. The judge hearing the $2 million breach of contract case against Teri called Hydroderm's claims that Teri promoted a rival skin care line "character assassination" of the "worst kind" and delayed the company's request to begin depositions. If Hydroderm can make me look as good as Teri, I'll buy a gallon of the stuff! 

Katherine Heigl looks very Christmas-y in a bright red coat as she runs errands in Sherman Oaks, California. The coat (and hot handbag) provides a bold contrast to her black skirt, tights and (really cute) boots. This girl can accessorize!

The soon-to-be-wed actress (her fiancee is musician Josh Kelley) stopped off to visit an architect (most likely working on the new Heigl-Kelley abode) and then took mom Nancy out for lunch at a local Greek eatery. When asked about her status as one of Barbara Walter's "Most Fascinating People of 2007", Katherine humbly replied that she was "very honored" but "didn't really know why" she was selected. "Knocked Up"? "Grey's Anatomy"? I'm sure she knows - we sure do!

Photograph by Buhl/Johnstone

Even supermodels need a pick-me-up sometimes! Still stunning at 41, Cindy Crawford stops at a Malibu Coffee Bean for a quick coffee break. The model recently came back from a Hawaiian Thanksgiving with hubby Rande Gerber. It's not all fun and games for Cindy, she's quite the philanthropist. She recently helped out the Boys and Girls Club of Malibu by giving the kids modeling lessons before they strutted down the catwalk for a charity fashion show. During "Modeling 101," Cindy's 6-year-old daughter Kaia even got in the act by striking a pose. As Cindy told Access Hollywood, "the apple doesn't fall far from the tree."

You know, looking at this photo, if you replaced the coffee in Cindy's hand with a can of Pepsi, it could be 1991 all over again!

Photograph by Shirley Perkins

The Spice Girls' sold-out reunion tour hit LA's Staples Center on Wednesday and spotted in a private, glass-walled booth were Tom Cruise with wife Katie Holmes and adorable daughter Suri in tow. The Cruises were sitting with Mr. Posh Spice, David Beckham and their kids (son Brooklyn, seen in the picture, is wearing a "Spice Boy" shirt. He's obviously proud of his mum!) The two families have become close since the Beckhams moved to the states from jolly old England.

Tom doted on Suri throughout the show (I wonder if it was her first concert?) and David treated the kids to cotton candy - what a great dad!