PEOPLE IN ENTERTAINMENT

Beginning Nov. 2, Anthony Quinn will host the “American Playwrights Theatre” for A&E; Cable Network. Quinn, 74, who has appeared in more than 100 movies, has been in the Virgin Islands filming a new NBC adaption of the classic Hemingway novel, “The Old Man and the Sea.”

Co-starring with Quinn are 26-year-old son Francesco (who plays Quinn’s character as a young man) and 34-year-old daughter Valentina (in the role of Quinn’s daughter). Upon completion of the project, the two-time Academy Award winner (who was born in East Los Angeles) treks to New York for his Oct. 21 one-man painting/sculpture exhibition.

A gala, star-studded ceremony was the setting for the TV y Novelas Awards, honoring the most popular Spanish-language soap operas. Nominees were selected by the viewing public via write-in ballots.

Among this year’s winners were Univision’s “Encadenados” (best series), with its star Humberto Zurita receiving the leading actor award. Ernesto Alonso, producer of “Encadenados,” was honored with a special lifetime achievement award, while the ever-popular Veronica Castro was named best actress for her role in “Rosa Salvaje.”

Speaking of awards, MTV’s first “Best Latin Pop/Rock Video Award” went to Chayanne for “Este Ritmo Se Baila Asi.” Selection was made by viewers of Telemundo’s music program “MTV Internacional,” hosted by Daisy Fuentes and produced by Peruvian Barbara Corcoran.

Receiving his star on Hollywood’s “Walk of Fame,” Martin Sheen (joined by sons Emilio Estevez and Charlie Sheen) invited the crowd to pray with him on behalf of the homeless children of the United States, saying that . . . “Many of America’s streets could be known as the ‘Walk of Shame’ because of the 4 million homeless people residing in them.”

Mexican songstress Yuri admits that although she is happily married, she does not plan to have children for a few years, claiming that . . . “for the time being, my career is top priority.”

Short takes: Now in its ninth season, look for changes on CBS’s “Falcon Crest” as it focuses even more attention on Lorenzo Lamas . . . Mexico’s “Prince of Song,” Jose Jose, has sold his Los Angeles house and bought one in Miami . . . Jose Luis (El Puma) Rodriguez, is at the Universal Amphitheatre Oct. 13 and 14.