Quick Takes: J.K. Rowling donates $15 million to treat and research multiple sclerosis

Rowling targets MS

Author J.K. Rowling has given $15.4 million to set up a clinic to treat and research multiple sclerosis, the disease that killed her mother in 1990.

The creator of Harry Potter said Tuesday that the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic will be based at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland, and that she hopes it will become “a world center for excellence in the field of regenerative neurology.”

The university said Rowling’s gift is the largest single donation it has received.

—Associated Press

Douglas has a good chance

Michael Douglas says he faces an “eight-week struggle” against throat cancer but is optimistic about his chances for recovery.

During an appearance Tuesday on David Letterman’s “Late Show,” the actor said he had just finished his first week of radiation and chemotherapy.

The disease was diagnosed three weeks ago, he said, although he had complained of a very sore throat earlier this year and had undergone testing that failed to find a cause.

He returned to the doctor recently, whereupon a biopsy found he had late, stage-four cancer, “which is intense, and so they’ve had to go at it,” he said.

Douglas, 65, said that the cancer remains above the neck and that means expectations are good, with an 80% or better chance of recovery.

—Associated Press

Hogan says he can’t pay

Actor Paul Hogan, star of the “Crocodile Dundee” movie trilogy, said Tuesday that he cannot afford to pay even 10% of what the Australian Tax Office says he owes in back taxes.

Hogan’s interview with the television program “A Current Affair” was his first public comment since he was barred earlier this month from leaving Australia until he settles a multimillion-dollar tax bill. The 70-year-old actor lives in Los Angeles.

Australian tax and crime investigators have fought Hogan in a five-year legal wrangle in

Australian and U.S. courts to investigate

evidence he used offshore bank accounts to conceal earnings since his low-budget “Crocodile Dundee” movie became

an international hit in 1986.

The exact tax bill has not been disclosed.

—Associated Press

‘Wind’ dresses to be restored

Legions of “Gone With the Wind” fans have together donated tens of thousands of dollars to prove they, frankly, do give a you-know-

what.

The University of Texas Harry Ransom Center says it has met its $30,000 fundraising goal to pay for restoring five of Scarlett O’Hara’s gowns from the Oscar-winning Civil War drama.

Ransom Center officials announced Tuesday that contributions came from more than 600 people in 44 states and 13 countries.

The gowns worn by actress Vivien Leigh in the 1939 film include a green curtain dress.

The Ransom Center is planning an exhibit to mark the movie’s 75th anniversary in 2014. Once restored, the dresses may be lent to other museums.

—Associated Press

Obamas to host dancers

During their time in the White House, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have held events celebrating classical music, jazz, country music and Broadway.

Now it’s the dance world’s turn to get its moment in the executive spotlight.

The White House said Tuesday that the first couple will host a celebration of dance on Sept. 7, during which they will honor Judith Jamison, the artistic director of the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater.

The event will include performances by members of Alvin Ailey, Paul Taylor Dance Company, the Washington Ballet, Super Cr3w and New York City Ballet.

—David Ng

Finally

Joining the band: Lady Gaga and Iggy Pop are among the performers who will join Yoko Ono for her Plastic Ono Band concerts at the Orpheum Theatre in L.A. Oct. 1 and 2. Others include Vincent Gallo, TuneYards, Perry Farrell, Thurston Moore, Kim Gordon, Harper Simon, the RZA and Carrie Fisher.

Joining the cast: Taran Killam of the L.A. comedy troupe the Groundlings is joining the cast of “Saturday Night Live,” as are Paul Brittain and Vanessa Bayer, alums of Chicago’s Improv Olympics.