March 04, 2007 |
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Chris Rock and his wife, Malaak, looked like the happiest of couples the other day on "Oprah," where they promoted his new comedy, "I Think I Love My Wife." But some claim the movie - in which he stars as a husband tempted by foxy Kerry Washington - is closer to real life than Chris would like to admit.
Speculation about Rock's 10-year marriage has heated up since Washington called off her engagement to actor David Moscow.
Washington tells us Rock had nothing to do with that split, and Chris' rep maintains, "Everything is fine at home for the Rocks."
But the Rocks have known their struggles. In November, TMZ.com reported that Chris hired a "high-powered" attorney to begin "divorce proceedings," and a friend of Chris' confirmed the couple were talking to lawyers. Word was they were trying to work out a post-nuptial agreement.
Now the producers of "I Think I Love My Wife" are said to have urged Chris to postpone any decisions until after the movie's March 17 release. "They read him the riot act," says a source.
Malaak's friends say she complains that Chris doesn't offer enough support in her charitable work. Others say Malaak worries about his time away from home. About five years ago, L.A.-based model Monika Zsibrita pressed a paternity claim against Chris. (Three DNA tests established he wasn't the father of Zsibrita's child.) Rock's rep says that his relationship with Zsibrita took place while he and Malaak were separated. Last year, Rock joked onstage, "I don't cheat. Not because I'm a great husband, just because I'm tired of getting caught."
Whatever their past troubles, Malaak says Chris has turned into a great father to their two daughters, 4-year-old Lola and 2-year-old Zahra. As Rock told Oprah: "Taking care of my kids is what I really want to do."
SIDE DISH
Paris Hilton faces the possibility of a 90-day jail stint for violating the terms of her probation. Hilton, in a blue $200K Bentley Continental GTC Convertible, was pulled over in West Hollywood for driving without her headlights on. Cops discovered her license was suspended as a result of her September alcohol-related reckless driving arrest. The Bentley was immediately impounded, and a hearing will be set to determine the heiress' fate. . . .
Beyonce and Jay-Z are still together, despite Wendy Williams' claims on WBLS. "They were at a basketball game together recently," points out a pal. Rumors rolled when the hip-hop exec stayed in New York Oscar night and the "Dreamgirls" star walked the red carpet alone. . . .
Gotham Books will publish Russell Simmons' book "Do You! 12 Laws to Access the Power in You to Achieve Happiness and Success" in April. . . .
The B-52's are back in Athens, Ga., recording a CD for October release, Fred Schneider tells us. . . .
Kate Moss' boyfriend Pete Doherty may have fed a joint to a penguin. On a trip to the Cotswold Wildlife Park in England, the couple gawked at Humboldt penguins. Doherty then flicked his hand-rolled cigarette into the pen and one of the creatures ate it as photographers clicked away.
DIRECTOR PLAYED CATCHUP ON 'WHITE CASTLE' STAR
Director Mira Nair sticks to slightly classier material than "Harold & Kumar Go to White Castle," so the woman who helmed "The Namesake" might not have known about "White Castle's" star were it not for her adolescent son.
"My son led me to Kal Penn," she told the crowd at Tribeca Cinema Series screening of the film. "I had no idea he existed, and he's like a god to a 15-year-old."
Penn gained teen-movie fame playing stoner characters like Kumar and Taj Mahal Badalandabad of "Van Wilder" fame.
"I naturally put in a scene of marijuana-smoking," said Nair. "A little homage to Kumar goes a long way."
Has she seen "Harold & Kumar"? "I've seen about half of it. I couldn't take more," she laughed. "It was absolutely puerile. I love the bravery of it, but I couldn't take it."
CONSTELLATION OF STARS TURNS OUT FOR BONO'S SAINTLY CAUSES
Rock-star specs helped Bono and Lou Reed focus at Time Warner headquarters on Columbus Circle - though the U2 front man didn't seem to see the constellation that had come to hear him talk till the end. As Time Inc. managing editor Jim Kelly wrapped up his Q&A on Bono's ONE and Product (RED) campaigns to end AIDS and extreme poverty in Africa, the singer spotted Robert Duvall and Kevin Bacon seated with Elie Wiesel, Police Commissioner Ray Kelly, Brian Williams, Terry George, Sydney Pollack, Charlie Rose and Pink Floyd's Roger Waters.
With Patrick Huguenin and Cristina Kinon
(Got a hot tip? Send confidential e-mail to rushmolloy@edit.nydailynews.com)
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