By Vicki Walker Nick Nolte escaped a fire that caused an estimated $1.5 million damage to his Malibu home Tuesday, authorities said. The 67-year-old actor scraped his arm and inhaled some smoke, but was not hospitalized, Los Angeles County fire inspector Sam Padilla said.

By Ellen McCarthy WASHINGTON -- When Kevin Costner was 18, he wanted to drive across the country with friends. His friends wouldn't come, so he went by himself. When he was 19, he wanted to go work on fishing boats. He implored his buddies to join him, but they refused. He went on without them.

By MAL VINCENT By Mal Vincent The Virginian-Pilot Kevin Costner has turned out three of the best-loved classics of all time ("Field of Dreams,""Bull Durham" and "Dances With Wolves"). He also has turned out three of the most notorious financial flops ("Waterworld,""The Postman,""Wyatt Earp").

By Mal Vincent, The Virginian-Pilot, Norfolk, Va. Aug. 1--Kevin Costner has turned out three of the best-loved classics of all time ("Field of Dreams,""Bull Durham" and "Dances With Wolves").

By Glenn Whipp Asking Kevin Costner if he's comfortable acting in the Capra- esque election-year comedy "Swing Vote" might feel kind of obvious.