Dan Gross: Noted victim Rodney King finally gets back at a cop
RODNEY KING fought a cop Friday night, and this time he won. King, who came to involuntary fame in 1992 when he was the subject of a videotaped and savage beating by LAPD officers, defeated Simon Aouad, a former Chester police officer, by decision Friday night, winning the Celebrity Boxing Federation Heavyweight belt. While in the area, King also attended the Daily News Sexy Single party Thursday at the Water Works Restaurant and Lounge, behind the Philadelphia Museum of Art. He accompanied Mayfair Civic Association President Scott Cummings, who also fought Friday night, in the CBF 11 event at the Ramada Philadelphia Airport. Cummings won after twice knocking down opponent Mike Tate. Cummings, a former bodyguard for Donald Trump, was billed as "Michael Jackson's former bodyguard." He protected Jackson for two days in the early 1990s when the King of Pop visited Atlantic City.
Feldman does Judge Jeanine Pirro
Celebrity Boxing Federation promoter Damon Feldman and local tailor Daniel Morroni will be seen on the Sept. 21 episode of "Judge Jeanine Pirro" which airs at noon on the CW Philly 57. Feldman was sued by George "Tailor Made" Weisgerber - seen on several VH1 reality shows - after Weisgerber was kicked off one of Feldman's cards earlier this year. Pirro, a former district attorney and judge in Westchester, N.Y., was here the other day promoting the new season of her courtroom show. She was happy to be able to see her daughter Cristi Pirro, who is in her final year at Penn law school. Pirro, who blogs at JudgeJP.com, says that Cristi - who was a Penn undergrad, too - is going into commercial and business law, and has no interest in following in her mother's criminal-law footsteps.
Out and about
_ Jamie Foxx checked into the Ritz-Carlton about 2 a.m. yesterday for a visit to Philadelphia, where he shot "Law Abiding Citizen" earlier this year. The thriller, which co-stars Gerard Butler, opens nationally Oct. 16.
_ Dan Aykroyd read aloud Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" at the Raven Lounge (1718 Sansom) Thursday night, where he also had a couple of drinks. Aykroyd was in town promoting his Crystal Head Vodka, and also dined that night at Mission Grill (1835 Arch) where he had Platinum margaritas along with his steak tacos and shortcake for dessert. He signed the restaurant's bottle of Crystal Head that they serve at the bar.
_ Abington High grad Danny Woodburn, who played Mickey on "Seinfeld," and a few friends popped into Ralph's (760 S. 9th) for lunch Friday. The actor went for pasta and was gracious to a few fans who approached him.
_ Flyers Ray Emery and Jeff Carter took in the Philly Rocks event the other night at the Field House (12th & Filbert) to benefit the Love Hope Strength Foundation. The musical event, to benefit those affected by cancer, featured performances by Robin Wilson, of the Gin Blossoms; Mike Peters, of the Alarm; Cy Curnin, of the Fixx; and Nick Harper and Glenn Tilbrook, of Squeeze. Earlier in the day the musicians performed "Eye of the Tiger" atop the steps of the Art Museum during the foundation's "Rocky Run," in which prayer flags with the names of 5,000 cancer survivors were carried up the famous steps. Visit LoveHopeStrength. org for more on the foundation.
_ Tony Danza, living at the Piazza in Northern Liberties while shooting a reality show in which he's teaching at Northeast High, has become a regular at Spa East (1040 N. 2nd), going there for manicures and massages.
_ Philly rapper Azizz, whose new single, "Let's Go, Let's Go," is getting serious buzz, was at the New York after-party of the premiere of Tyler Perry's new movie, "I Can Do Bad All By Myself." Guests at M2 included Taraji P. Henson, Gladys Knight and Miss J and Jade Cole from "America's Next Top Model."
Dr. Phil here Wednesday
"Dr. Phil" McGraw will stage a live show at 9 a.m. Wednesday from Independence National Historical Park. The TV shrink popped up around town over the weekend, stopping by 98.1 WOGL's Radiothon for Kids Friday and also taping at the Battleship New Jersey, the Art Museum steps, the Reading Terminal Market, Pat's and Geno's Steaks, and City Hall.
Is your dog a star?
The Walnut Street Theatre (9th & Walnut) is looking for a dog to star in "Oliver!" Nov. 10 through Jan. 10.
Producers are seeking an English or American Staffordshire terrier, a bulldog, an American pit bull or a mix of those breeds. Auditions will be at the theater between noon and 2 p.m. tomorrow. E-mail a photo of the dog to WSTOliverCasting @gmail.com with the subject heading "Dog Auditions."
Raw Dawgs open in S. Philly
South Philly has a new football-watching spot. Raw Dawgs Saloon (2nd & Morris) opened Saturday and has 10 TVs.
Owner Lance Bachmann says that he expects game-day crowds who can taste the 60 craft beers available at the bar, which is open daily 7 a.m.-2 a.m. The kitchen will be open from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. daily.
Visit PhillyGossip.com for Dan's latest updates or follow PhillyGossip on Twitter. Have a tip? Call 215-854-5963, or e-mail grossd@phillynews.com. For recent columns, visit go.philly.com/dangross.
