People talk 12/18/03

Mol makes debut on Broadway in 'Chicago'

NEW YORK -- Gretchen Mol will play Broadway's new merry murderess, Roxie Hart, next year in "Chicago." The 30-year-old actress, whose films include "The Shape of Things," "Forever Mine" and "Donnie Brasco," will join the cast of the long-running revival on Jan. 5, it was announced Tuesday. "Chicago," which has a score by John Kander and Fred Ebb, will be Mol's Broadway debut.

Tick-Tock in 'Seabiscuit' took little time to film

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. -- It didn't take William H. Macy long to create the memorable character Tick-Tock McGlaughlin in "Seabiscuit." Director Gary Ross wrote the role of the rapid-fire radio reporter specifically for Macy.

"A lot of my fellow actors in this film worked very, very hard and I walked in and in four days knocked this thing off," Macy said.

French actor Reno gets honor from presidentPARIS -- French actor Jean Reno, star of "The Professional" and "La Femme Nikita," has been named an officer in France's National Order of Merit. President Jacques Chirac decorated Reno at a ceremony Monday at the Elysee Palace. Reno, 55, is both a dramatic actor and an action hero and has found success in Hollywood, appearing in "Mission Impossible" and "Ronin."

Affleck gets command role in next Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Ben Affleck will be the grand marshal at next year's Daytona 500. The 31-year-old actor and NASCAR fan will begin the Feb. 15 race with the traditional command to the 43-car field: "Gentlemen, start your engines."

-- From wire reports