As is well known, one of the most famous scenes from the latter, and perhaps one of the most famous in all of cinema, takes place in a venerable New York delicatessen, when Sally (Meg Ryan) demonstrates to Harry (Billy Crystal) how she fakes a vocal orgasm – freely in front of all the restaurant's patrons (by the way, the elderly woman who requests "what she's having" is Estelle Reiner, Rob's mother).

Following news of Reiner's death, Jake Dell, the owner of Katz's Deli, paid tribute to the late director. "Rob Reiner was a friend of Katz's Deli in so many ways," Dell, whose family has operated the delicatessen for five generations, told The Hollywood Reporter. "The staff and everyone at Katz's remembers him with great fondness, and we have so many amazing memories of him. He was a regular customer who came in every time he arrived in the city – a Brooklyn guy who would come in and grab a sandwich."

Dell recalled that Reiner, along with Billy Crystal and screenwriter Nora Ephron (who later became a successful director in her own right), worked to determine exactly how the defining scene would look and how it would successfully incorporate the delicatessen, which opened (albeit under a different name and ownership) in 1888 and is famous for its pastrami sandwiches and other "Jewish" dishes like matzo ball soup, chopped liver, noodle kugel, rugelach, babka, and these days even special Hanukkah treats.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by instylemagazine (@instylemagazine)

 Just this past October, in an interview he gave to CBS's "60 Minutes" program, Reiner revealed that during filming of the delicatessen scene, he felt Meg Ryan wasn't giving her all to illustrate the sexual satisfaction she was experiencing. So he sat in her place across from Billy Crystal to show her how to do it properly. "And I'm pounding on the table, 'Yes! Yes! Yes!,' and suddenly I realize I'm having an orgasm in front of my mother, you know?," he said in the interview with his characteristic humor.

By the way, the famous table is still in the delicatessen, and is even marked with a sign that reads "Where Harry met Sally... hope you have what she had!" Bon appétit.

The post Katz's Deli mourns Rob Reiner after director's tragic death appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

The reason? A dramatic, sexy, and elegant dress designed by Israeli fashion house Galia Lahav which made a big splash in Hollywood.

Sweeney chose a design that highlights Galia Lahav's recognizable signature – precise tailoring, rich fabrics, and an unapologetic presence. The choice of an Israeli designer for such a high-profile evening proves once again that Israeli designers are playing in the big leagues.

Behind the international success stands an inspiring story. Galia Lahav began her journey by studying at the Teachers' Seminary for Handicrafts and Art in Givatayim, Israel. She worked as an art teacher at an elementary school in Ashdod, and, in 1985, opened a small fashion design studio in the city, specializing in wedding dresses and unique lace. From the local studio, the path led to Dizengoff in Tel Aviv, and later to a four-story building on Herzl Street.

Today, Galia Lahav's fashion house is a global name with stores in Tel Aviv, Los Angeles and Hamburg, and about 70 points of sale worldwide. In 2016, another historic moment was recorded when the house was accepted into the French Federation of Haute Couture, becoming the first Israeli fashion house to achieve this prestigious accomplishment.

Sydney Sweeney's choice for a high-profile Hollywood event is not just a personal compliment to the designer, but a clear fashion statement – Israeli haute couture, and in the front row of the red carpet.

The post Sydney Sweeney stuns in Israeli designer dress at Hollywood premiere appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

LA Fire Department personnel found a 78-year-old male and a 68-year-old female deceased at the property, though officials declined to identify the victims, according to Sky News. Detectives from the LAPD Robbery Homicide Division took charge of the case, the force announced. Captain Mike Bland characterized the investigation as an "apparent homicide," Sky News noted. According to People magazine, sources said the couple was killed by their son, Nick.

The director built his reputation helming iconic 1980s and 1990s films, including beloved classics such as "The Princess Bride," "When Harry Met Sally," "A Few Good Men," and "Stand By Me." He also maintained an acting presence, with roles in "Sleepless in Seattle" and "The Wolf of Wall Street," with his latest major work on the Emmy-winning show "The Bear."

The filmmaker encountered his wife, Michele Singer, in 1989 while directing "When Harry Met Sally." The pair raised three children together. Singer pursued photography professionally, notably shooting US President Donald Trump's portrait for his volume "Trump: The Art Of The Deal."

A family spokesman stated, "It is with profound sorrow that we announce the tragic passing of Michele and Rob Reiner. We are heartbroken by this sudden loss, and we ask for privacy during this unbelievably difficult time," according to Sky News. LA Mayor Karen Bass termed the director's death a crushing blow to the city.

"Rob Reiner's contributions reverberate throughout American culture and society, and he has improved countless lives through his creative work and advocacy fighting for social and economic justice," she commented. "An acclaimed actor, director, producer, writer, and engaged political activist, he always used his gifts in the service of others," the mayor added.

Former President Barack Obama spearheaded tributes, posting on X that "Michelle and I are heartbroken by the tragic passing of Rob Reiner and his beloved wife, Michele. Rob's achievements in film and television gave us some of our most cherished stories on screen."

Entertainment industry figures also expressed their grief following the deaths, with actor John Cusack characterizing the deceased filmmaker as "a great man", while Elijah Wood stated he was "horrified" by the couple's deaths. James Woods, who received an Oscar nomination for performing in the director's 1996 drama Ghosts of Mississippi, stated he was "devastated by this terrible event." Actor and director Ben Stiller described it as "a huge loss," and added, "Rob Reiner was one of my favorite directors." He continued, "He made some of the most formative movies for my generation. He came out from behind a huge comedic shadow of the great Carl Reiner, and being a TV actor to being a great director who made an incredible run of movies. Spinal Tap is one of the best comedies ever made, and the list goes on. He was a kind, caring person who was really, really funny."

Frozen actor Josh Gad termed the filmmaker "one of the greatest directors of our time," adding, "He was simply a beautiful person. Rob Reiner and his wife Michell,e were two of the most kind and caring souls you could ever imagine. He cared so much for those who had no voices. This loss is devastating. I cannot express how much this hurts. Love you, Rob and Michelle. Thank you for all you gave us," he concluded.

The post Acclaimed filmmaker Rob Reiner, wife Michele Singer Reiner, found dead at LA home appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

If you follow this issue, this name will sound familiar. Around 200 leading industry figures have now signed a petition calling for his release from Israeli prison, with the hope that the Palestinian prisoner will become the leader of a future Palestinian state. Among the signatories to the petition you will find names that haven't escaped notice around the world, such as British actors Sir Ian McKellen and Benedict Cumberbatch, musician Sting, and also Jewish actresses Miriam Margolyes – known mainly from the Harry Potter film series – and Hannah Einbinder, joining actors who have already expressed their anti-Israel views over the years, Mark Ruffalo and Javier Bardem.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Free Marwan Now (@freemarwannow)

In light of the clear support of Hollywood's stars for Barghouti, one can only wonder – who does Hollywood want to crown as "Palestinian Mandela" and the future leader of a Palestinian state?

15-year-old Fatah operative 

Born in a village near Ramallah in 1959, Marwan Barghouti joined the Fatah terrorist movement under the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) at the mere age of 15. Israeli authorities detained him for the first time at 19, and he served a two-year prison sentence for his involvement as an operative in a Fatah unit that executed a terrorist attack. During the first intifada of the late 1980s, Barghouti gained political prominence in the West Bank by directing Palestinian clashes with Israeli forces. He enrolled at BirZeit University to study History and Political Science, but his campus political work for Fatah, and his involvement in establishing Fatah's youth movement, triggered another imprisonment and subsequent deportation to Jordan.

Barghouti returned to Judea and Samaria in 1994, enabled by the terms of the Oslo Accords. He supported the Oslo Accords and even engaged in dialogue with Israeli political figures, an approach that significantly differed from his previous behaviour within Fatah. He began positioning himself against Yasser Arafat, then-leader of Fatah, particularly over disagreements with the Palestinian Authority. At the same time, he seized the opportunity to consolidate his power further within Fatah, whether through participation in mass demonstrations or by aiding and promoting terrorists from the Tanzim – Fatah's ground forces, who pioneered terrorist strikes against Israel during the Second Intifada, which he led in 2000.

When the second intifada erupted that September, he was directing marches toward Israeli checkpoints and provoking riots against Israeli soldiers. His compelling speeches aimed at urging Palestinians to use violence to drive Israel from the West Bank and Gaza Strip. During intensifying violence, Fatah spawned a new terrorist branch designated the Al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades, which conducted strikes against Israelis – including a March 2002 suicide bombing that claimed 30 lives.

Israeli authorities accused Barghouti – still commanding the Tanzim – of holding a prominent position in the Brigades, and Israeli forces arrested him in April 2002 by tracking his phone. Israel charged him with terrorist organization membership and dozens of murder counts for ordering deadly attacks, with courts convicting him of five charges in 2004 and imposing five life sentences plus 40 years.

The court found Barghouti accountable for a June 2001 attack in Ma'ale Adumim that resulted in the death of Greek monk Tsibouktsakis Germanus, a January 2002 kidnapping and murder of American citizen Yoela Hen, a March 2002 attack at Tel Aviv's Seafood Market restaurant that killed three individuals, Eli Dahan, Yosef Habi, and Salim Barakat, and a car bombing in Jerusalem.

The connection to Hamas 

Despite two decades of imprisonment, Barghouti has preserved much of his political power – including playing a key role in facilitating negotiations between Hamas and Fatah in February 2007 prior to Fatah's bloody ouster from the Gaza Strip, and securing election to Fatah's party leadership in absentia in 2009.

Throughout negotiations between Hamas and Israel since October 7, Hamas has repeatedly demanded Barghouti's release, despite his membership in the rival Fatah organization. Hamas' demand for his release connects to debates about Gaza's "day after" – Mahmoud Abbas' succession as the president of the Palestinian Authority and Hamas' future involvement in Palestinian political affairs. Since Abbas is unpopular among Palestinians, and Hamas is looking to extend its reach to the West Bank, Barghouti, who, according to polls, has garnered significant support from Palestinians, has become Abbas' natural successor.

Last March, Fadwa Barghouti began campaigning for her husband, hoping he might replace Abbas as president. Her campaign, which included meetings with high-ranking officials in the Arab world and the US, has also received support from pro-Palestinian Hollywood stars, as Barghouti is portrayed as a leader who will "unify" the Palestinian people in both Gaza and the West Bank.

Hamas previously attempted to secure Barghouti's release during negotiations for the return of kidnapped IDF soldier Gilad Shalit, who was kidnapped in 2006. Still, even then, Israel firmly refused, and the deal was carried out with the release of over 1,000 security prisoners in exchange for Shalit. To this day, this deal continues to stir controversy in Israeli society. Given the risks associated with freeing Barghouti, his release remained off the table during the Iron Swords negotiations as well.

The post Notorious among Israelis but loved in Hollywood: Who is Marwan Barghouti, the Palestinian prisoner activists are trying to free? appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

In a candid interview with The Sunday Times published on Saturday, the 50-year-old performer expressed alarm about the current state of pharmaceutical dependence in the entertainment industry. "It is devastating," Winslet stated, according to the British newspaper. "If a person's self-esteem is so bound up in how they look, it's frightening."

The British star elaborated on the complexity of modern beauty culture. "And it's puzzling because I have moments when I think it's better, when I look at actresses at events dressed how they want, whichever shape. But then so many people are on weight-loss drugs. It's so varied. Some are making choices to be themselves, others do everything they can to not be themselves."

Winslet questioned whether users comprehend the substances they consume, The Sunday Times noted. "And do they know what they are putting in [their bodies]? The disregard for one's health is terrifying. It bothers me now more than ever. It is f****** chaos out there," she declared.

Beyond pharmaceutical interventions, the Avatar: Fire and Ash performer addressed cosmetic injectables, expressing preference for natural aging processes. "My favorite thing is when your hands get old," Winslet explained to The Sunday Times. "That's life, in your hands. Some of the most beautiful women I know are over 70, and what upsets me is that young women have no concept of what being beautiful actually is."

She challenged contemporary beauty ideals in the interview. "What idea of perfection are people aspiring to?" Winslet asked, subsequently attributing responsibility to "social media and its effect on mental health." The actress, who achieved global recognition at 19 after her starring role in 1997's "Titanic," disclosed her experiences with Hollywood's brutal beauty standards, The Sunday Times reported.

"The media was vile, singling me out for relentless bullying," Winslet recalled of her early career years. "I wasn't ready to be a famous actress. I was so young, but I felt so invaded."

The post Kate Winslet condemns weight loss drug epidemic as 'terrifying' appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

"My great fortune is that I really love what I do. I'm in love with my work. I'm obsessive about each and every one of the projects I participate in. I want to participate in telling their stories, that's what excites me, and the truth is I function much better when I'm under pressure. I'm at a different level when I have tons of things to do, than when I'm sitting at home twiddling my thumbs waiting for something to happen. When you do what you love, it's easier to deal with everything around you."

"In terms of research, I watched all of Christy's fights and all the documentaries made about her and had long conversations with her. Physically, I trained for three months. I had a dedicated boxing coach and a dedicated weights coach. I gained 15 kilos of muscle. I let myself get lost in the process. I went back home to Idaho. I live near my grandmother, so I turned her garage into a Rocky-style gym. I hung punching bags there. All day, I lifted weights and boxed. I drank tons and tons of protein shakes."

The post Sydney Sweeney on weathering Hollywood's storm: 'I'm a fighter' appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Baldoni's high-profile $400 million defamation and extortion lawsuit against Blake Lively, Ryan Reynolds, and The New York Times was officially dismissed after Baldoni failed to meet a court-ordered deadline to amend his complaint.

In a ruling published on October 31, Judge Lewis Liman of the US District Court for the Southern District of New York determined that Baldoni and his production company, Wayfarer Studios, failed to respond to an order directing them to explain why a final judgment should not be entered. As a result, the lawsuit was permanently closed.

The affair, which began as a sharp conflict between actors who became rivals, expanded into a stormy legal dispute that ignited Hollywood and led to a deep rift in Lively's close relationships, including the one with Taylor Swift, who was a close friend of Lively until the crisis erupted. According to reports, Swift's name was linked to the proceedings when she was asked to testify, but in practice, she avoids being directly involved and maintains distance from everything related to the legal drama – a choice that, sources claim, ended the longtime friendship between the two.

The new ruling marks the end of an affair that was already on the verge of collapse on Baldoni's side since June, when Judge Liman dismissed Baldoni's original complaint. At that time, the court determined that Baldoni's defamation claims lacked a legal foundation, as many of the statements he relied upon – including excerpts from the sexual harassment complaint Lively filed and the article published in The New York Times – were protected under the doctrine of reporting immunity and legal privilege.

While the latest ruling essentially nullifies Baldoni's lawsuit for defamation and extortion, it is likely not yet the final outcome of the story. He retains the right to appeal after the court rules on Lively's motion for reimbursement of legal expenses. However, this represents a significant defeat for the director and actor, who had called their lawsuit a "counterattack" as part of a legal battle that became one of the most turbulent, publicized, and messy in Hollywood.

Baldoni filed the lawsuit in January 2025, shortly after Lively filed a lawsuit against him for sexual harassment on the set of the film "It Ends With Us," which he directed and in which he also starred in the lead role alongside her. In her lawsuit, filed in December 2024, Lively claimed that Baldoni behaved in a harassing manner during filming, including an incident in which he "leaned forward and moved his lips from her ear to her neck slowly," and told her, "It smells so good." She added that he pressured her to include a graphic sex scene and made intrusive comments about her private life with her husband, actor Ryan Reynolds.

After Lively's lawsuit became public, Baldoni accused Lively, Reynolds, and The New York Times of attempting to destroy his reputation through a coordinated smear campaign, relying on an article published in the newspaper in December 2024 under the headline "We Can Bury Anyone: Inside Hollywood's Spin Machine," which described the filing of Lively's complaint to California's Civil Rights Department and discussed in detail the tensions surrounding the film's production.

The ruling issued this week closes, at least for now, Baldoni's offensive side, but leaves Lively's lawsuit open, which may reveal more details about what happened behind the scenes of the controversial film.

The post Justin Baldoni loses $400M million defamation lawsuit against Blake Lively appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Hours following the public announcement of Keaton's death, actress Reese Witherspoon delivered an emotional tribute during a Los Angeles event, the New York Post reported. Speaking to an audience, Witherspoon revealed Keaton had served as an early career mentor, casting the young performer in her first role in the 1991 television film "Wildflower," which Keaton directed. During the audition, Keaton asked, "Are you making that up? That accent you're doing?" in response to Witherspoon's Nashville accent. Witherspoon recalled Keaton's guidance, stating, "She really took the time to pull me aside and say, 'Stand up straight, okay?' I want you to have good posture. If you're gonna be an actress, you gotta work on your posture, okay?' And I was like, 'Okay, Miss Keaton.'" Describing Keaton as "such an original," Witherspoon encouraged the audience to honor her by watching her films and embracing individuality. Co-stars Goldie Hawn and Bette Midler from 1996's "The First Wives Club" also shared tributes expressing devastation over her passing.

The performer's rise to prominence began in the 1970s through "The Godfather" films and collaborations with director Woody Allen, culminating in a Best Actress Academy Award for 1977's Annie Hall. Born Diane Hall in 1946 in Los Angeles as the eldest of four children, she grew up with a civil engineer father and a stay-at-home mother who she believed harbored entertainment ambitions.

High school theatrical performances led to college drama studies after her 1964 graduation, though she soon relocated to New York for stage opportunities. Professional necessity required adopting her mother's maiden name, Keaton, since Actors' Equity already registered another Diane Hall. Broadway's 1968 Hair production cast her as Sheila's understudy.

Reese Witherspoon emotionally pays tribute to Diane Keaton while on stage at her #ShineAway event in L.A. pic.twitter.com/MFwAFna3pU

— The Hollywood Reporter (@THR) October 11, 2025

Allen's Broadway production "Play It Again, Sam" premiered in 1969, with Keaton earning a Tony nomination, followed by her 1970 film debut in Lovers and Other Strangers. Francis Ford Coppola's casting of Kay Adams in 1972's "The Godfather" provided her breakthrough, despite her never having read Mario Puzo's source novel. Best Picture Oscar recognition accompanied the film's massive success, with Keaton reprising her role in 1974's equally triumphant "The Godfather Part II" and 1990's franchise conclusion. Allen's collaborations continued through 1972's "Play It Again, Sam" film adaptation, 1973's "Sleeper," and 1975's "Love and Death," though personal doubts prevented viewing her work.

Additional Allen projects included 1978's "Interiors," 1979's "Manhattan," and 1993's "Manhattan Murder Mystery," with Keaton defending him amid Dylan Farrow's sexual abuse allegations. Other roles encompassed 1977's "Looking for Mr. Goodbar" through 2003's "Something's Gotta Give," which earned another Oscar nomination. Her initial Meyers collaboration, 1987's "Baby Boom," preceded three reunions in the "Father of the Bride" films.

Later work included "The Family Stone," "Finding Dory," and HBO's 2016 "The Young Pope" miniseries, plus directorial ventures like 1987's "Heaven" documentary. Justin Bieber's 2021 "Ghost" music video featured Keaton, who maintained an active Instagram presence, sharing life updates and tributes. Keaton was never married despite romantic connections to Allen, Al Pacino, and Warren Beatty. "I was thinking, I'm the only one in my generation of actresses who has been a single woman all her life," she explained to PEOPLE in 2019. She is survived by her two adopted children, daughter Dexter and son Duke.

The post Hollywood mourns Diane Keaton following death at 79 appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Emily Austin appreciation post.

That would be a yellow ribbon for the Israeli hostages and a Star of David around her neck while on the Red Carpet for the Emmys.

In a world of Bardems, be an Austin. pic.twitter.com/9cVyh0bXRm

— Captain Allen (@CptAllenHistory) September 15, 2025

The one who wasn't moved by all the gestures was Jewish influencer Emily Austin, who stood on the red carpet with a Star of David necklace and a bag featuring the hostage symbol.

The post Star of David and hostage symbol: The Jewish star who lit up the red carpet appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.

Additional prominent signatories encompass filmmaker Adam McKay, performer Mark Ruffalo, and actress Ayo Edebiri, who pledged against screening work at, participating in, or collaborating with Israeli movie theaters, broadcast outlets, and production firms they consider "are implicated in genocide and apartheid against the Palestinian people," The New York Times reported.

I am pleased to share that despite a complete lack of credentials, publications, or professional experience in the field, I have been accepted as a member of the International Association of Genocide Scholars (seriously). pic.twitter.com/HymRw5loVV

— Michael -- LET MY PEOPLE GO!!! (@maltman613) September 3, 2025

The coalition indicated its approach drew from Filmmakers United Against Apartheid, the 1980s initiative that campaigned against South Africa's segregation policies, according to The New York Times. A collective of scholarly authorities called the International Association of Genocide Scholars announced last month that Israel's Gaza operations satisfied genocide's judicial requirements.

The post Hollywood pledges to boycott Israeli production companies appeared first on www.israelhayom.com.