DEAR STACY: Please tell about the actress who stars in "Wonder Woman." How tall is she? Age? Married? She's breathtaking. — Paula G., Newark, New Jersey
DEAR PAULA: The amazing Gal Gadot is 5'10" tall, 32 years old, married to wealthy real estate developer Yaron Varsano and the mother of two daughters, ages six and three months. She grew up in the small Israeli town of Rosh HaAyin. A dance student from an early age, she wanted to be a choreographer at one point. She entered the Miss Israel pageant on a lark and was surprised to win. Then came two years of service with the Israeli army, where she became a combat instructor. Then, her vastly successful modeling career (she is the face of Gucci's Bamboo) and law school. But she didn't finish that lawyer training, despite two starts. A casting agent who saw her card at a modeling agency wanted her to test to become a Bond girl. Though she didn't get the role, she did get interested in film acting, and soon was immersed in lessons. Her first parts were in an Israeli TV series, followed by her role as Gisele in the "Fast & Furious" franchise. She has said that her knowledge of weapons from the army helped her get that part. Her credits also include the features "Criminal," "Keeping Up With the Joneses," her first Wonder Woman movie — last year's "Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice" — and the ensemble superhero flick "Justice League" that is slated for November release. She does a lot of her own stunts, sword fighting and several forms of martial arts.
DEAR STACY: I have heard that Amy Schumer is related to Senator Chuck Schumer. What is the relation? — Summerland7
DEAR Summerland7: The New York senator is Amy's father's second cousin.
DEAR STACY: Please settle a disagreement among friends. Wasn't Betty White on one of the "Lassie" series as the mother? — Charlotte S., Cedar Rapids, Iowa
DEAR CHARLOTTE: No, White was not among the "Lassie" TV moms. Jan Clayton starred as Ellen Miller from 1954-57, followed by Cloris Leachman as Ruth Martin in the 1957-58 season of the first "Lassie" series, with June Lockhart taking over the role in fall '58, lasting into 1964. Dee Wallace Stone (opposite her late husband, Christopher Stone) played the mother in the syndicated "The New Lassie" (1989-91), and Susan Almgren played widowed veterinarian mother Dr. Karen Cabot in the 1997 "Lassie" series produced in Canada and shown on Animal Planet.
DEAR STACY: I was so sorry to hear that Miguel Ferrer died. I loved him on "Crossing Jordan." Please tell me how old he was and the cause of death. — Hannah V., San Diego, California
DEAR HANNAH: The popular and prolific actor died after a long battle with throat cancer at age 61, this past January.
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