Dennis Hopper has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and is seeking treatment at the University of Southern California, his manager Sam Maydew announced yesterday. "We're hoping for the best," Maydew said. No details have been released.

CNN says Hopper was hospitalized overnight Sept. 30 in New York for flulike symptoms. It's unclear if there's any connection with the cancer diagnosis.

The 73-year-old actor has had a long and varied career. He co-starred with James Dean in Rebel Without a Cause and directed and starred in the 1960s counter-culture classic Easy Rider. He was virtually blacklisted in Hollywood in the '70s, before making a big comeback as a Pabst Blue Ribbon-drinking lout in David Lynch's Blue Velvet (1986). He currently stars in Starz' Crash.

A-Rod, the sexy centaur!

Just how much of an egomaniac is Phillies-hating Yankees star Alex Rodriguez? An anon former A-Rod lover tells Us Weekly that the slugger is sooo "vain": Two paintings over his bed depict him "as a centaur. You know, the half man, half horse figure." Centaurs, as you know, symbolize manly prowess.

Us says A-Rod's new love, Kate Hudson, 30, is trying to put him on an ego-loss diet. The actress reportedly will be in Philly tomorrow to support His Rod-ship in Game 3 of the World Series.

Chaz Bono bares all

In part two of his two-part chat with Entertainment Tonight's Mary Hart, Chaz Bono says his gf of four years, Jennifer Elia, has supported his decision to undergo gender reassignment surgery to become a man. "She's been amazing," says Chaz. "I feel really grateful to be going through this with a partner."

No wedding for Olsen

Mary-Kate Olsen's rep has denied rumors that the three-year old mogul-gazillionaire (sorry, she's like 23) is about to marry bf Nate Lowman. They're not even engaged, the rep tells People.

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