Weekly Entertainment News Wrap — Tragedy and Triumph

Kobe Bryant tragically dies; Pauley Perrette returning to CBS; and Empire set to bow its final 10 episodes. Here’s what you missed this past week in entertainment news.

Farewell to Kobe

Tragic news for Kobe Bryant fans. The former NBA superstar, his daughter, Gianna, and seven others were killed in a helicopter crash in California.

The former Lakers’ star’s wife, Vanessa Bryant, thanked fans for their support following the horrific accident that forever changed her family. Also, find out why Ellen Pompeo (Meredith, Grey’s Anatomy) called out TMZ and host Harry Levin for their coverage of the accident — and Levin’s response.

Pauley’s Back
Fan-favorite Pauley Perrette, remembered as forensic scientist Abby Sciuto on NCIS, is headed back to CBS. This time around she’ll be starring in the sitcom Broke as a single mom living in the suburbs.

Empire Is Back

Empire is finally returning after its mid-season break. The nighttime soap begins airing its final 10 episodes, next week so check out this sneak peek.

Meanwhile, FOX has already announced Empire’s finale won’t include Jussie Smollett (Jamal). However, Vivica A. Fox, who plays Candace Mason, admits she’d love to finish the show with him.

Sterling K Brown’s New Film
During a break from filming This Is Us, Sterling K. Brown, who stars as Randall Pearson, tackled new film project, The Rhythm Section. Find out what the actor had to say about the action flick, which also stars Blake Lively, about a CIA agent who walked away from his duties.

A Touching Gift
Sarah Michelle Gellar arranged an amazing gift for her good friend Selma Blair to help her fight the symptoms of MS. You’ll want to read Gellar’s touching story about how it all went down — and how it’s helping Blair.

Series Scoop
Jesse Williams, who plays Dr. Jackson Avery on Grey’s Anatomy, is making his Broadway debut in April. So what does it mean for his future on the ABC series?

Actress Jamie Grey Hyder, who plays Officer Katriona “Kat” Azar Tamin on Law & Order: SVU, shared some insight into the show’s new season. Among other things: how her character will be learning from Mariska Hargitay’s Olivia Benson.

Entertainment News: For the Love of Children

The View’s Whoopi Goldberg speaks out for healthcare for children in a new Public Service Announcement (PSA) for UNICEF. Find out why the cause means so much to her.

Remembering His Brother
Lost in Space star Ignacio Serrichio, who plays Don West, was incredibly touched when the show’s producers offered to honor his late brother, Alejandro, in the Netflix sci-fi series. It involves a Hall of Heroes segment and a special plaque.

Love that Lasts
Take a look at two of Hollywood’s most successful marital pairs: Barbra Streisand and James Brolin and Warren Beatty and Annette Bening. And check out Tinseltown’s newly engaged couple, Angie Harmon and Greg Vaughan, and their beautiful romance.