Cyberattack shutters Canvas learning platform for schools across the U.S. CBS/AP Fri, May 8, 2026 at 3:10 AM UTC 0 Cyberattack shutters Canvas learning platform for schools across the U.S. A system that thousands of schools and universities use was offline Thursday due to a cyberattack, creating chaos as students tried to study for finals and underscoring education&x27;s dependence on technology.

Cyberattack shutters Canvas learning platform for schools across the U.S.

CBS/AP Fri, May 8, 2026 at 3:10 AM UTC

Cyberattack shutters Canvas learning platform for schools across the U.S.

A system that thousands of schools and universities use was offline Thursday due to a cyberattack, creating chaos as students tried to study for finals and underscoring education's dependence on technology.

The hacking group named ShinyHunters claimed responsibility for the breach at Instructure, the company behind the learning management system Canvas, said Luke Connolly, a threat analyst at the cybersecurity firm Emisoft.

CBS News has reached out to Instructure for comment.

Some of the universities which have reported being targeted include Penn State, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Columbia University and Union College New Jersey.

UCLA was among several California schools that reported being crippled by the outage.

Also impacted in the Chicago area were Northwestern University, the University of Chicago, the University of Illinois Chicago and the University of Illinois.

In a message to students, Penn State said that "no one has access" to Canvas, and a "resolution" was not expected "within the next 24 hours."

The school said all tests scheduled for Thursday and Friday in its Pollock Testing Center were canceled.

The student newspaper at Harvard reported that the system was down there, too. And public school districts also sought to reassure parents, with officials in Spokane, Washington, writing that they aren't "aware of any sensitive data contained in this breach."

Canvas is used to manage grades, course notes, assignments, lecture videos and more. The hacking group posted online that nearly 9,000 schools worldwide were affected, with billions of private messages and other records accessed, Connolly said.

Screen shots he provided showed that the group began threatening Sunday to leak the trove of data, giving deadlines of Thursday and May 12. Connolly said the later date indicates that discussions regarding extortion payments may be ongoing.

Rich in digitized data, the nation's schools are prime targets for far-flung criminal hackers, who are assiduously locating and scooping up sensitive files that not long ago were committed to paper in locked cabinets. Past attacks have hit Minneapolis Public Schools and the Los Angeles Unified School District.

Instructure has not posted about the attack on its social media.

Connolly said the Canvas attack is strikingly similar to a breach at PowerSchool, which also offers learning management tools. In that case a Massachusetts college student was charged.

Connolly described ShinyHunters as a loose affiliation of teenagers and young adults based in the U.S. and the United Kingdom. The group also has been tied to other attacks, including one aimed at Live Nation's Ticketmaster subsidiary.

Original Article on Source

Source: "AOL Breaking"

Source: Breaking

Published: May 8, 2026 at 06:54AM on Source: RON MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byKris Ronald

in

May 08, 2026

Cyberattack shutters Canvas learning platform for schools across the U.S.

Cyberattack shutters Canvas learning platform for schools across the U.S. CBS/AP Fri, May 8, 2026 at 3:10 AM UTC 0 Cyberattack s...

Meet the 13 Kids of the “Jersey Shore” Cast

Jersey Shore aired on MTV for six seasons from 2009 to 2012 and was rebooted in 2018 as Jersey Shore: Family Vacation

NEED TO KNOW

Since the show's original run, the cast members have welcomed 13 children between them
In August 2025, Sammi "Sweetheart” Giancola welcomed a son, Vincent Keith May

These days, theJersey Shorecasthave more responsibilities than just practicing "GTL" (gym, tan, laundry).

The MTV reality series ended its six-season run in 2012, but was rebooted asJersey Shore: Family Vacationin 2018 — an appropriate title since nearly every member is now a parent.

The latest isSammi "Sweetheart” Giancola, who in February 2025 announced that she was expecting her first baby with fiancéJustin May. In May 2025, the couple shared that they werehaving a boy, with a sex reveal on the Seaside Boardwalk featuring the rest of theJersey Shorecast.

"It's just so iconic because me and my roommates, we've basically grew up here in Seaside and also me and Justin met here in Seaside," Sammi told PEOPLE. "It's just very sentimental, meaningful all around." In August 2025, Sammi gave birth to her son, Vincent Keith May.

Sammi has started a new chapter as a mom, but another era is concluding for the group: On May 7, the ninth and final season ofJersey Shore: Family Vacationpremieres, with the group of friends back for one "last hurrah."

FromNicole “Snooki” Polizzi's three children toMike “The Situation” Sorrentino's son and two daughters, here’s everything know about the kids of theJersey Shorecast.

Snooki’s 3 Children

Snookie and her family at DisneylandCredit: Snooki/Instagram

Snooki was the firstJersey Shorecast member to become a parent when she and husbandJionni LaVallewelcomed son Lorenzo on Aug. 26, 2012. His birth was featured on theJersey ShorespinoffSnooki & JWoww, which ran from 2012 to 2015.

Snooki and Jionni later welcomed theirdaughter Giovannaon Sept. 26, 2014, and son Angelo on May 30, 2019.

Even though her children are getting older, Snooki won't let them watchJersey Shoreanytime soon, she told PEOPLE in September 2022.

"Even if they're 30, I'm like, I don't want you watching that. It's weird," she said. "I mean, even now my kids are 10 and 8 and they're on TikTok and they see old clips and stuff. So they're like, 'Mommy, what are you doing here?' And I'm just like, 'Mommy's a paid actress. They made me do that.' "

JWoww’s 2 Children

Zack Clayton and Jenni 'JWoww' Farley attend the

Jenni “JWoww” Farleywas not far behind best friend Snooki, becoming a mom todaughter Meilanion July 13, 2014. She and then-husband Roger Mathews welcomed son Greyson on May 5, 2016.

JWoww and Roger, who finalized their divorce in 2019, now co-parent their children, with the reality TV star tellingEntertainment Tonightin 2022 that they "balance each other really well."

"At the end of the day, you just have to put the kids first, and he's very understanding with my schedule changing, with filming," she said.

Over the years, JWoww has spoken up about Greyson’sautism diagnosis, sharing advice andcelebrating his wins, like reading and speech improvement.

Pauly D’s Daughter

Pauly D, Nikki Hall, Amabella DelVecchio, and Amanda LynnCredit: Amanda Lynn Instagram

On May 15, 2013,Paul Michael “DJ Pauly D” DelVecchio Jr.welcomed daughterAmabella Sophiawith Amanda Markert.

Pauly D announced the arrival of his first child months later in October 2013, writing onX, “Sometimes in life things aren't planned and they may even scare you at first, but they end up being a blessing.”

According to the artist, the teenager has already shown an interest in music.

“She’s my life. She’s my princess. She’s a little mini-me,” Pauly D told PEOPLE in April 2018. “She wants to be a DJ — I got her a DJ room. She’s scratching records already.”

https://people-app.onelink.me/HNIa/kz7l4cuf

Ronnie’s Daughter

Ronnie Margo and his daughterCredit: Ronnie Margo/Instagram

Ronnie Ortiz-Magro's daughter,Ariana Sky, was born on April 3, 2018.

In March 2023, Ronnie revealed he wasgranted full custodyof their daughter — whom he had shared with ex-girlfriendJen Harley— and was a full-time single dad.

"It's a lot of hard work, but [Ariana] keeps me balanced," Ronnie explained on a 2023 episode ofJersey Shore: Family Vacation. "She calms my world. I didn't have the perfect situation with her mother, but she's turned out perfect. She's so sweet and so polite."

The Situation’s 3 Kids

Mike married hiscollege crush, Lauren Sorrentino, in 2018. They’ve sincehad a son and two daughters: Romeo, who was born on May 26, 2021, Mia, who was born on Jan. 24, 2023, and Luna, who was born on March 6, 2024.

Mike often shares family celebrations on his social media accounts, including birthday parties,baptismsand more.

Sammi’s Son

Samantha Giancola and her husband Justin May with their son in December 2025.Credit: Samantha

In February 2025, Sammi and Justin revealed that they were expecting their first child together. The announcement came after Sammi discussed her fertility struggles during a 2024 episode ofJersey Shore: Family Vacation, including a failed round of in vitro fertilization (IVF) treatment anda miscarriage.

“After struggling through years of infertility, this is the absolute greatest blessing we could ever possibly ask for!” the couple wrote in a joint post onInstagram. "We are so thrilled to finally be able to share the news of our little miracle with you all!"

In August 2025, Sammi and Justin welcomed a baby boy.

"Welcome to the world my rainbow miracle baby 🥹🍼 Vincent Keith May August 20, 2025," Sammi wrote in the caption of theInstagrampost announcing the arrival. "😭 After this very long journey to get here, words cannot describe how blessed and truly grateful we are. Forever living in our baby love bubble until further notice 🥹♥️."

Deena's 2 Sons

Deena and Her SonsCredit: Deena Buckner/Instagram

Deena Cortesehastwo sonswith husbandChristopher Buckner: Christopher John, also known as “CJ,” who was born on Jan. 5, 2019, and Cameron Theo, who was born on May 1, 2021.

In 2024, Deena opened up about receiving "mom shaming" from viewers ofJersey Shore: Family Vacation.

"I try my best to not feel judged by other parentsbecause of my past on TV," she said in an October episode. "I definitely put myself out there because I want everybody to see, like, 'Yeah I am a normal mom.' "

Read the original article onPeople

byKris Ronald

in

May 08, 2026

Meet the 13 Kids of the “Jersey Shore” Cast

Jersey Shore aired on MTV for six seasons from 2009 to 2012 and was rebooted in 2018 as Jersey Shore: Family Vacation NEED TO KNO...

Tulare’s first ChickfilA opens with ‘MooveIn Party,’ freebies Steve Pastis, Visalia TimesDeltaWed, May 6, 2026 at 9:13 AM UTC 0 The first ChickfilA restaurant in Tulare County will host a “MooveIn Party” on Thursday, May 7 to celebrate its opening at 2977 Market Dr. in Tulare. A crowd is expected when its doors open at 6:30 a.m. – and continue through the day – since the possibility of a ChickfilA opening in Tulare County has been talked about and anticipated for years. “The city is very excited to welcome Tulare County’s first ChickfilA to the city of Tulare,” City Manager Marc Mondell said.

Tulare’s first Chick-fil-A opens with ‘Moove-In Party,’ freebies

Steve Pastis, Visalia Times-DeltaWed, May 6, 2026 at 9:13 AM UTC

The first Chick-fil-A restaurant in Tulare County will host a “Moove-In Party” on Thursday, May 7 to celebrate its opening at 2977 Market Dr. in Tulare.

A crowd is expected when its doors open at 6:30 a.m. – and continue through the day – since the possibility of a Chick-fil-A opening in Tulare County has been talked about and anticipated for years.

“The city is very excited to welcome Tulare County’s first Chick-fil-A to the city of Tulare,” City Manager Marc Mondell said. “Anytime we can associate our name with such an important and impressive brand, it helps to elevate our credibility and presence in the marketplace."

Chick-fil-A is also the first new business to open at the Highway 99 – Cartmill Interchange.

Brett McKinnon, owner/operator of the new Chick-fil-A restaurant in Tulare, is ready to greet customers.More than just a food business

Tulare Chick-fil-A owner Brett McKinnon understands the appeal of the popular fast-food chain.

“It's the food,” McKinnon said. “People love the food. It's the customer service that you get when you come to Chick-fil-A. We always say we're in the people business, not just the food business.”

Chick-fil-A, which offers a menu of sandwiches, chicken nuggets, sides, salads and breakfasts, is best known for its Chick-fil-A Chicken Sandwich. The restaurant chain uses quality products, according to McKinnon.

“Everything's hand-breaded in the back,” he said. “While a lot of other restaurants might use frozen chicken that are just thrown in a fryer, we have a milk-and-egg wash. We dunk it in and hand-bread it in a coater, and then we deep-fry it. That helps us stand out – the freshness of it and that it's hand-breaded.”

The Tulare Chick-fil-A will begin with a team of 140 employees, a lot of them young and part time. McKinnon recalled working 40 hours a week for a Chick-fil-A restaurant in Charleston, South Carolina, when he was 16.

“I've heard a lot of stories in our interviews of, ‘It’s so hard for me to get a job because I’m 16 and nobody wants to hire people under the age of 18,’” he said. “My wife and I were passionate about bringing them in, so we increased our hiring numbers so we could bring a lot of those part-time kids in with us."

Three days before the grand opening, each employee invited two friends or family members to the restaurant to place orders.

“Our team gets to have experience taking the orders and practice making some simple food,” McKinnon said. “We did that today and we're also doing that tonight. For the nighttime one, we're going to have some music set up and some games so it'll kind of be a fun atmosphere. Once our team's done serving their families, they'll get a chance to clock out, grab some food, and hang out and play some games with them as well.”

The new Chick-fil-A in Tulare prepares to open Monday, May 4, 2026 along Cartmill Avenue. The restaurant will host a “Moove-In Party” on Thursday, May 7, 2026 to celebrate its opening.The ‘Moove-In Party’

“We're going to have a ‘cow event,’” McKinnon said about the May 7 celebration. “Anybody that comes dressed in partial cow attire – it could be spotted shirts, anything – can get a free entree for coming in. They can come into the drive-thru or inside and dine with us."

Customers can also look forward to giveaways.

“We have some swag drops to hand out. We're going to have some stickers to hand out to celebrate the moment," McKinnon said. "We'll have ‘Mobile Thru,’ which is where you can come to the drive-thru and place an order on your phone. The first 50 people that place a mobile order will get a little swag bag and a giveaway.”

The celebration will extend into the community. The Chick-fil-A Corporation made a $25,000 to the Central California Food Bank.

“It's something they do when we go into a new community,” McKinnon said. “On a smaller version, we partnered with the Tulare Lighthouse Rescue Mission. We'll donate all of our leftover food to them and they will repurpose that and serve it to families, and maybe to some of the homeless as well.”

Chick-fil-A is likely to contribute a generous amount of leftovers.

“We're just high on standards,” McKinnon said. “Any time a filet lasts 20 minutes for us, we put it in the leftovers, and then those are cooled down and sent for repurposing where they can turn them into soups and all kinds of different things for the community.”

The new restaurant is along Highway 99 in north Tulare, which McKinnon considers “a phenomenal location.”

“Our Chick-fil-A selection process is long and unique,” McKinnon said. “The corporate side just looks for the right community at the right time, and finding the right piece of property as well. They feel like Tulare checked a lot of those boxes.”

McKinnon also appreciates the partnership that Chick-fil-A has with the city of Tulare.

“They've been great partners in helping us get the utilities we needed out here so we could open,” he said.

And the city appreciates becoming the location of the newest Chick-fil-A restaurant.

“The community of Tulare welcomes Chick-fil-A with open arms and excitement,” Tulare Mayor Patrick Isherwood said. “There is a lot of work that takes place to be the city selected as the first new location outside of Fresno and Bakersfield.

“The investment in Tulare brings over 140 new jobs,” he added. “This is another growing economic opportunity to capture travelers off the 99 and have them eat, fuel, and shop in Tulare."

This article originally appeared on Visalia Times-Delta: First Chick-fil-A restaurant to open in Tulare County on May 7

Original Article on Source

Source: "AOL Entertainment"

Source: Entertainment

Published: May 6, 2026 at 12:36PM on Source: RON MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byKris Ronald

in

May 08, 2026

Tulare’s first Chick-fil-A opens with ‘Moove-In Party,’ freebies

Tulare’s first ChickfilA opens with ‘MooveIn Party,’ freebies Steve Pastis, Visalia TimesDeltaWed, May 6, 2026 at 9:13 AM UTC 0 The...

Geno Smith’s second Jets chapter comes with little margin for error

This isn’t the same oldNew York Jets. At least, they don’t believe it is. For years, this franchise carried the label nobody wanted: dysfunctional, unstable, and permanently rebuilding.

Missing the playoffs every season since 2010 tends to do that, but inside the building, the tone has changed. This team expects to win now. That’s why Aaron Glenn's seat has gotten warmer in his sophomore season as head coach.

It’s also why Geno Smith enters 2026 carrying one of the heavier burdens of any quarterback in football. Honestly, the pressure is deserved, and it's obvious, as one NFL writer recently mentioned.

Geno Smith gets yet another chance

The NFL rarely gives this many chances. Smith’s career has come full circle in a way few could have predicted. The Jets drafted him in 2013 in hopes that he could stabilize their quarterback position.

Instead, those early years unraveled quickly. Turnovers mounted. Losses followed. The confidence disappeared. Eventually, so did his starting job. Most quarterbacks never recover from that. Smith somehow did. After years wandering the league as a backup, he reinvented himself with theSeattle Seahawks.

Smith earned Pro Bowl recognition. He reminded everyone why talent alone or past ptfalls never tell the full story, but then came the 2024 and 2025 NFL seasons. Things fell apart yet again.

Hopefully, Smith’s reunion with the Jets isn’t about nostalgia.Hopefully, this time, it’s about urgency. At 34 years old, there’s little mystery surrounding what this season represents. The Jets didn’t bring him back to mentor younger quarterbacks or oversee another reset.

They believe this roster can compete immediately. That means Smith has to deliver immediately. The expectations aren’t subtle anymore either.That's why Bleacher Report's Moe Moton names him as one of the QBs who will be under the most pressure entering the 2026 NFL season.

"Geno Smith's pro career has been a rollercoaster ride, and it's come full circle... Smith had his best years with theSeahawks, earning a couple of Pro Bowl nods, but he wanted out of Seattle after the 2024 season... Having gone through career trials and tribulations, Smith can turn things around for himself, but he'll try to do it with a franchise that hasn't had stability at quarterback for decades. If Smith has another down year, he's unlikely to get another chance to be a full-time starter in the league."

This roster has more talent than the Jets teams he first joined over a decade ago. Garrett Wilson gives him a legitimate WR1. The offensive infrastructure feels stronger. The excuses feel smaller.

The pressure is real, and it’s difficult to argue otherwise. Because if this doesn’t work, there probably isn’t another starting opportunity waiting afterward.

Geno Smith has already rewritten his story once. Now, he’s being asked to do something even harder: save the franchise where the struggles first began. Believe it or not, the task may be taller than it was back in 2013.

This article originally appeared on Jets Wire:Geno Smith’s second Jets chapter comes with little margin for error

byKris Ronald

in

May 08, 2026

Geno Smith’s second Jets chapter comes with little margin for error

This isn’t the same oldNew York Jets. At least, they don’t believe it is. For years, this franchise carried the label nobody wanted: dy...

New Photo - The Situation says he'd be 'dead' if he didn't get sober

The &34;Jersey Shore&34; star has been open about the lengths he went to hide his drug addiction. The Situation says he'd be 'dead' if he didn't get sober The &34;Jersey Shore&34; star has been open about the lengths he went to hide his drug addiction. By Derek Lawrence :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/derek160e1b72b3389c74b8ca03743731e346949.jpg) Derek Lawrence Derek Lawrence is a former associate editor at . He left EW in 2022. EW's editorial guidelines May 7, 2026 3:10 p.m. ET Leave a Comment :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/MikeSorrentinoJerseyShore11282324e0ee9ac8fa54166b892a612bbdeb21a.

The "Jersey Shore" star has been open about the lengths he went to hide his drug addiction.

The Situation says he'd be 'dead' if he didn't get sober

The "Jersey Shore" star has been open about the lengths he went to hide his drug addiction.

By Derek Lawrence

Derek Lawrence

Derek Lawrence is a former associate editor at **. He left EW in 2022.

EW's editorial guidelines

May 7, 2026 3:10 p.m. ET

byKris Ronald

in

May 08, 2026

The Situation says he'd be 'dead' if he didn't get sober

The &34;Jersey Shore&34; star has been open about the lengths he went to hide his drug addiction. The Situation says he'd ...

New Photo - Vote in EW's best Survivor winner ever bracket

Pick your favorites daily! Vote in EW's best Survivor winner ever bracket Pick your favorites daily! By Dalton Ross :maxbytes(150000):stripicc()/DaltonRossauthorphoto2e15b12006e2438a99fb06db6d682421.jpg) Dalton Ross is a writer and editor with over 25 years experience covering TV and the entertainment industry. Survivor is kind of his thing. EW's editorial guidelines on May 6, 2026 7:21 a.m. ET Who is the best Survivor winner ever? Ask 10 Survivor fans and you may get 10 different answers. Which is part of the fun of the question.

Pick your favorites daily!

Vote in EW's best Survivor winner ever bracket

Pick your favorites daily!

By Dalton Ross

Dalton Ross author photo

Dalton Ross is a writer and editor with over 25 years experience covering TV and the entertainment industry. *Survivor* is kind of his thing.

EW's editorial guidelines

on May 6, 2026 7:21 a.m. ET

Who is the best *Survivor* winner ever? Ask 10 *Survivor* fans and you may get 10 different answers. Which is part of the fun of the question.

Hardcore *Survivor* fans love to discuss and debate the intricacies of the game and their favorite seasons and winners in the same way that sports fans enjoy chattering nonstop about their teams.

But what do most fans think when posed with the question of whose the greatest *Survivor* winner ever? Let's find out!

EW has put together a bracket with all 49 season *Survivor* winners, with a match-up happening every day until the best of the best is crowned at the *Survivor 50* finale. And then the winner of *Survivor 50* can take on the king or queen of the bracket to see who comes out on top there.

Because common math tells us that 49 does not equal 64, some winners received first round byes from **'s panel of *Survivor* experts and already advanced to the second round. Also, the two-time winners Sandra Diaz-Twine and Tony Vlachos were guaranteed on making it to the second round since *Heroes vs. Villains* Sandra defeated *Pearl Islands* Sandra in round one, and *Winners at War* Tony bested *Cagayan* Tony. The rest is all up to you!

survivor 50 logo

Explore EW's *Survivor* HQ

Exclusive video, interviews, breaking news, games, polls, and more!

We are now in the sweet sixteen with a very sweet group indeed. Sandra. Tina. Todd. Dee. Boston Rob. Denise. Tyson. Kim. Tony. Jeremy. Natalie. J.T. Parvati. Yul. Earl. And Richard. Yesterday's matchup had *Micronesia* champion and Black Widow legend Parvati Shallow going up against the person who won her first season in *Cook Islands* title-holder Yul Kwon. Which reality TV titan would move on to the quarterfinals? In the end, it was Parvati who emerged with a dominant 76 percent of the vote.

And now it's time to decide whom she will be facing next. *Survivor: Fiji *unanimous winner Earl Cole takes on the very first *Survivor* winner ever and man who invited alliances in Richard Hatch. Will Earl continue his perfect record, or will the true OG continue on? That is entirely up to you as the last matchup of the sweet sixteen is in your hands!

Vote for your favorite below, and then come back here tomorrow for the results and weigh in on the next battle. Because now the winners truly are at war!

***Want to be kept up with all things Survivor? Dig deep and sign up for 's ******free Survivor Weekly newsletter****** to have all the latest news, interviews, and commentary sent right to your inbox. ***

- Survivor Fandom

Original Article on Source

Source: "EW Survivor"

Source: Survivor

Published: May 7, 2026 at 12:57PM on Source: RON MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byKris Ronald

in

May 07, 2026

Vote in EW's best Survivor winner ever bracket

Pick your favorites daily! Vote in EW's best Survivor winner ever bracket Pick your favorites daily! By Dalton Ross :maxbytes...

Brian Glazer Claims a Competing Producer Threatened to &x27;Kill&x27; Him in Order to Stop “Splash” from Being Made Sara BelcherThu, May 7, 2026 at 4:54 PM UTC 0 Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah in 'Splash'Credit: Moviestore/Shutterstock Producer Brian Grazer says rival producer Ray Stark threatened to end his career to stop Splash from being made Stark allegedly offered Disney chairman Ron Miller 5% of profits to abandon the film, but Miller refused Splash beat out its competition and became a box office hit, launching Tom Hanks&x27; career in the 1980s The 1984 hit mermaid film Splash almost didn&...

Brian Glazer Claims a Competing Producer Threatened to 'Kill' Him in Order to Stop “Splash” from Being Made

Sara BelcherThu, May 7, 2026 at 4:54 PM UTC

Tom Hanks and Daryl Hannah in 'Splash'
Credit: Moviestore/Shutterstock -

Producer Brian Grazer says rival producer Ray Stark threatened to end his career to stop Splash from being made

Stark allegedly offered Disney chairman Ron Miller 5% of profits to abandon the film, but Miller refused

Splash beat out its competition and became a box office hit, launching Tom Hanks' career in the 1980s

The 1984 hit mermaid film Splash almost didn't happen, thanks to some not-so-friendly competition.

Splash, the Tom Hanks-led rom-com following a man falling in love with a woman he doesn't know is a mermaid (played by Daryl Hannah), was a win for Disney in the 1980s and skyrocketed Hanks' career to new heights. But producer Brian Grazer was threatened by rival producer Ray Stark to abandon the film before it was even released.

Speaking on a recent episode of the It Happened in Hollywood podcast, Grazer, accompanied by Splash director Ron Howard, revealed that he was pulled into a meeting with Stark as the mermaid film was just getting off the ground. At the time, Warren Beatty and Jessica Lange were already committed to a different mermaid-themed project, directed by Herbert Ross and with a script by Robert Towne.

With both going into production around the same time, it was a race to the finish line — and Stark allegedly made offers to get Splash killed before it ever made it to the screen.

Brian Grazer at the 2025 Venice International Film Festival
Credit: Franco Origlia/Getty

"He threatened me. You know, I was just a punk. He threatened me that, like, 'I'm going to crush your career. You're screwed,' " Grazer claimed. "He just threatened to just crush me, that I 'have nothing. Nothing.' They'd 'kill' me."

When Grazer didn't back down, Stark allegedly then went to Ron Miller, Walt Disney's son-in-law and chairman of Disney at the time.

— sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Grazer describes Miller, who served as the company's chairman from 1980 to 1984, as a "tough guy." Before he worked at Disney, Miller served in the Army and played professional football for the Los Angeles Rams.

"[Stark] said, 'I'll give you 5% of the first dollar gross if you don't do your movie,' " Grazer recalled of Stark's conversation with Miller. "Ray Stark said, 'If you don't take the 5%, I'm gonna crush you guys over here.' "

In response, Grazer claimed Miller told Stark, "No, we're doing it anyway. F--k you."

Though Howard wasn't on the receiving end of those conversations with Stark, he also shared that he felt pressure to beat the rival film. Studio executives feared that the winner would depend on whose film came out first.

"I'm 26 years old. Herbert Ross is not going to beat me to the market," Howard recalled telling executives. "If that's what you're worried about, I will live at the studio. And if we're making the movie, we'll be out first."

In the end, the mermaid film starring Beatty and Lange never came to fruition, while Splash grossed more than $69 million at the box office, making it one of the year's most profitable films.

on People

Original Article on Source

Source: "AOL Entertainment"

Source: Entertainment

Published: May 7, 2026 at 08:09PM on Source: RON MAG

#ShowBiz#Sports#Celebrities#Lifestyle

byKris Ronald

in

May 07, 2026

Brian Glazer Claims a Competing Producer Threatened to 'Kill' Him in Order to Stop “Splash” from Being Made

Brian Glazer Claims a Competing Producer Threatened to &x27;Kill&x27; Him in Order to Stop “Splash” from Being Made S...

byKris Ronald

in

May 08, 2026

NEED TO KNOW

Snooki’s 3 Children

JWoww’s 2 Children

Pauly D’s Daughter

Ronnie’s Daughter

The Situation’s 3 Kids

Sammi’s Son

Deena's 2 Sons

byKris Ronald

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May 08, 2026

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May 08, 2026

Geno Smith gets yet another chance

byKris Ronald

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May 08, 2026

The Situation says he'd be 'dead' if he didn't get sober

byKris Ronald

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May 08, 2026

Vote in EW's best Survivor winner ever bracket

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