ENTERTAINMENT

HONOLULU — The family of action icon and martial arts legend Chuck Norris has not publicly disclosed an official cause of death, opting for privacy following his sudden passing on March 19, 2026, at age 86 in Kauai, Hawaii. Norris died the day after being hospitalized for an unspecified medical emergency, according to multiple reports and family statements released Friday.

SEOUL — BTS made their long-awaited full-group return in March 2026 with the release of their fifth studio album ARIRANG on March 20, marking the end of a hiatus that began in 2022 due to mandatory military service. The comeback, announced progressively since mid-2025, has ignited massive excitement among ARMY worldwide, with a free livestreamed concert in Seoul on March 21, a Netflix partnership and an 82-date world tour kicking off in April.

Chuck Norris, the martial arts legend and action icon who passed away March 19, 2026, at age 86, left behind a filmography packed with high-kicking, one-man-army spectacles that defined 1980s cinema. From his breakthrough villain role opposite Bruce Lee to his peak Cannon Films era, Norris delivered raw, unapologetic action that inspired generations — and endless internet memes.

HONOLULU — Martial arts legend and action star Chuck Norris, whose unbreakable on-screen persona spawned countless internet memes and jokes about his invincibility, died Thursday, March 19, 2026, at age 86 following a medical emergency in Hawaii, his family announced Friday.

SYDNEY — Netflix viewers in Australia are binge-watching a diverse mix of new releases and returning favorites in March 2026, with prehistoric documentaries, live-action anime adaptations, heartfelt romances and period dramas topping the charts.

Oscar-winning actress Kate Winslet is set to star as the female lead in the upcoming "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum," marking her entry into one of cinema's most iconic fantasy franchises after previously turning down a role in Peter Jackson's original trilogy.

Rapper Latto has reignited swirling pregnancy rumors with a mysterious teaser posted March 19, 2026, prompting fans and media to speculate she may be expecting her first child with longtime partner 21 Savage.

SEOUL, South Korea — Global K-pop sensation BTS released their highly anticipated fifth studio album "ARIRANG" on Friday, March 20, 2026, via Big Hit Music, delivering their first full-group project in over three years following mandatory military service.

Australian stars continue to dominate global social media in 2026, with Hollywood heavyweights, fitness entrepreneurs and musicians leading the pack on Instagram. As of mid-March 2026, actor Chris Hemsworth reigns supreme among Australian celebrities, boasting nearly 59 million followers thanks to his blockbuster roles, family content and fitness brand Centr.

With the 2026 lineup freshly announced featuring headliners like Charli XCX, Lorde, Jennie and The Smashing Pumpkins, demand for Lollapalooza Chicago tickets is surging.

Comedian Kevin Hart turned a potentially flattering moment into comedy gold when he roasted his own wax figure at the Hollywood Wax Museum in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, calling it an "attack" and demanding a complete redo.

Marvel Studios and Sony Pictures unleashed the first official trailer for "Spider-Man: Brand New Day" on March 18, 2026, sending fans into a frenzy as Tom Holland reprises his role as Peter Parker in the fourth standalone MCU Spider-Man film.

LOS ANGELES — Angelina Jolie skipped the 2026 Academy Awards earlier this month, a decision sources close to the actress described as unsurprising given no eligible projects and her shifting priorities away from Hollywood's spotlight.

Nearly one year after his death, Val Kilmer is returning to the screen through state-of-the-art generative artificial intelligence in the upcoming independent film "As Deep as the Grave," with full approval from his estate and family.

BIARRITZ, France — Academy Award-nominated actress and director Kristen Stewart will preside over the competition jury at the fourth edition of the Biarritz Nouvelles Vagues Film Festival, organizers announced Wednesday. The event, dedicated to showcasing emerging talent and films centered on youth, is set to run from June 23 to 28, 2026, in the coastal city of Biarritz in southwestern France.

Plus-size supermodel and body positivity advocate Ashley Graham made headlines this week with a candid discussion about cosmetic procedures, revealing she has never undergone plastic surgery but remains open to certain options as she ages.

LOS ANGELES — Keanu Reeves, the actor beloved for roles in "The Matrix," "John Wick" and beyond, has long earned admiration not just for his on-screen presence but for his understated generosity.

LONDON — Former One Direction member Niall Horan has fans buzzing with the announcement of his new single "Dinner Party," set for digital release on Friday, March 20, 2026.

Social media sensation Alix Earle turned heads at the 2026 Vanity Fair Oscars after-party on March 15, stepping out solo in a vintage Bob Mackie gown and candidly telling Entertainment Tonight she was open to "maybe getting someone's number."

Rap legend **Eminem** has yet to confirm any world tour dates for 2026, despite a flood of online rumors, fake announcements and fan-generated schedules circulating on social media and unofficial websites.

Los Angeles — Australian actress Samara Weaving, 34, continues her ascent in Hollywood with a string of high-profile roles, including a highly anticipated horror sequel and an upcoming action-comedy thriller.

The sands of Arrakis are shifting once more as Warner Bros. unveiled the first teaser trailer for **"Dune: Part Three"** on March 17, 2026, igniting widespread excitement among fans of Denis Villeneuve's epic sci-fi saga. The highly anticipated film, adapting Frank Herbert's **"Dune Messiah"** and serving as the conclusion to Villeneuve's trilogy, is set for theatrical release on Dec. 18, 2026, including IMAX screenings.

Nashville, Tenn. — Country music superstar **Luke Bryan** is hitting the road in a big way this year, headlining his **"Word On The Street Tour"** while dropping fresh music to fuel the excitement. The five-time ACM Entertainer of the Year continues to dominate the genre with high-energy performances, television judging duties and a steady stream of new releases that celebrate small-town roots and heartfelt storytelling.

Selena Gomez, the multifaceted actress, singer and entrepreneur, continues to captivate fans with glimpses of her personal life and professional ventures, even as she opts out of Hollywood's biggest nights this spring.

MUMBAI, India — Bollywood's most anticipated action thriller sequel, "Dhurandhar: The Revenge," starring Ranveer Singh and directed by Aditya Dhar, is set to storm theaters worldwide on March 19, 2026, with paid previews kicking off in India on March 18.

Taylor Swift made a rare public appearance over the weekend, attending Jay-Z and Beyoncé's exclusive Oscars after-party in Los Angeles on March 15, where she and fiancé Travis Kelce mingled with Hollywood's elite following the 98th Academy Awards.

Global K-pop phenomenon BTS is on the cusp of one of the most anticipated returns in music history, with their fifth studio album *Arirang* set for release on March 20, 2026, followed by a landmark live performance streamed worldwide on March 21.

Christina Haack, the HGTV renovation personality known for "Flip or Flop" and "The Flip Off," addressed swirling engagement speculation this week, confirming she is not planning a fourth marriage anytime soon despite a happy, steady relationship with boyfriend Christopher LaRocca.

SEATTLE — Amazon is reshaping its Prime Video streaming experience with a significant tiered overhaul set to take effect April 10, 2026, in the United States. The company announced it will rebrand its existing ad-free add-on as "Prime Video Ultra," raise the monthly fee from $2.99 to $4.99, and restrict 4K Ultra HD (UHD) streaming exclusively to this premium tier.