Matt Lauer's Pricey Pecs
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The shirtless bod of Matt Lauer fetches more money than Matthew McConaughey's rippling chest -- or so the bidding on a recent photo of the "Today" show host proves.
The paparazzi pic of a well-sculpted Lauer frolicking in the surf with daughter Romy in Southampton, NY last Thursday triggered a bidding war. A day later, the first day the snap hit the market, the price was $5,000.
TMZ is also told that several tabloids that will hit stands Thursday scooped up the picture for a princely sum -- so you'll be able to see Lauer in all his glory at the supermarket checkout line tomorrow. By contrast, that other Matt -- McConaughey -- is legendary for his Adonis-like physique, but his shirtless pics typically fetch between $250-$1000 apiece.
Call it a lesson in scarcity value: It's not that the 36-year-old McConaughey is any less of a physical specimen, but when was the last time you saw a picture of Matt M. with his shirt actually on?
Man Takes Star House Tour and Sees Suri Cruise
TMZ has spoken to a man who got a lot more than he bargained for when he passed Tom Cruise's home on a Hollywood star tour.
The story was first told Tuesday on the popular "Kevin & Bean Show" on KROQ radio in Los Angeles. The man, who asked to be identified only as "Frank," and his girlfriend were visiting the girlfriend's brother and sister-in-law, who live two blocks from Cruise's Beverly Hills home, and went on a tour of some local stars' homes.
When they arrived at Cruise's house, one of them hit the buzzer on the security gate, and -- much to their surprise -- it opened. They started driving up the driveway and the first security guard waved them on. They couldn't turn around because the driveway was narrow, so they drove to the top.
When they arrived at the top, they saw Katie Holmes holding -- you guessed it -- the ever-elusive Suri in her arms. Frank says he and his companions were no more than five feet from the baby, and he tells TMZ that Suri looked "cute" and "perfectly normal." Tom, meanwhile, was playing with two older children (presumably Isabella, 13, and Conor, 11) on the lawn. Cruise may have a little more time on his hands to frolic in the grass with his kids, now that he no longer works for Paramount Pictures.
At that point, security descended on the stunned quartet in the car. The guards demanded to see copies of their driver's licenses, but Frank's sister-in-law refused to show identification and demanded the right to leave. Frank says that security held them for about half an hour, and then ordered them to leave the compound.
Beyoncé's $3 Million Wedding Blow-Out
As befits a true superdiva, Beyoncé Knowles is sparing no expense when it comes to her late November wedding to rap mogul Jay-Z.
According to a report in this week's Star (via MSNBC), Beyoncé will be shelling out $3 million for the bash on the Caribbean island of Anguilla, a tenth of which -- $300,000 – will be allotted for the Beluga caviar alone. Other culinary delights wil include lobster and Italian truffles, and Dom Perignon – not, of course, Cristal, which her fiancé has boycotted.
The Star also reports that Beyoncé's famously micromanaging father Matthew initially was skeptical about the nuptials, but has now given the union his blessing. What's more, Oprah and UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan will be among the guests.
Superman Not Gay, But En-gay-ged
Brandon Routh – the latest actor to don Superman's cape and tights – has gotten engaged to his girlfriend, actress Courtney Ford, according to People. The couple have been dating for three years, and will be co-starring in an upcoming short film called "Denial." The wedding will be sometime next fall. Routh proposed to Ford earlier this month with a ring from L.A. jeweler Neil Lane.
Routh and Ford met well before Brandon was a big movie star – in fact, he was tending bar at the rehearsal dinner for Courtney's brother's wedding when they were first introduced. Routh has referred to Ford as his personal kryptonite. "She brings me to my knees," he has said.
Goodie Bag: Gisele is Loaded, Lance & Reichen Don't Like Their Digs, Beck Gets Fans to Design Album Cover, and Willie Nelson Stumps for Wild Horses
Gisele Bundchen, supermodel and ex-squeeze of Leonardo DiCaprio, is filthy rich in addition to being remarkably beautiful. According to Forbes, she made $30 million last year, making her the highest-paid walking mannequin in the business. And she's already signed three more big deals with international clients ... It was good enough for Scarlett Johansson and Lydia Hearst, but Lance Bass and Reichen Lehmkuhl didn't like their lodgings at the trendy Stereo House in the Hamptons last weekend before their polo-match-hosting gig, so they ditched and went to a local meteorologist's house instead, says Page Six ... Beck is enlisting his fans' help in designing the artwork for his latest album cover. "The Information," out October 3, will come with a blank cover and stickers that fans can apply; a contest judged by Beck himself will help decide the final cover ... Willie Nelson is protesting the slaughter of wild horses in the US for consumption of their meat abroad. He says he has owned several wild horses, and is supporting a rally in Washington, D.C., for a bill scheduled for a vote on Sept. 7 that would end such slaughter.