John Hughes, director of brat-pack films The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller's Day Off, died Thursday of a heart attack in New York. He was 59. His publicist said Hughes died while taking a morning walk during a trip to Manhattan, Variety reported Hughes, born Feb.

The Illinois house that belonged to character Cameron's family in the popular 1986 movie Ferris Bueller's Day Off is up for sale for $2.3 million. Built in 1953, the 5,300-square-foot home in Highland Park was where Cameron memorably leans on his father's Ferrari, knocking it off a jack and sending it crashing through a glass window and into a ravine below. The Chicago Sun-Times quoted a Realtor as describing the property, which features two glass and steel buildings, as an amazing architectural treasure.

Ben Stein has declined an invitation to speak at the University of Vermont's spring graduation ceremony after some critics objected to his presence. The economist, comedian and TV personality, who has publicly denounced the theory of evolution and supported the idea of intelligent design, was recently told the university wanted to give him an honorary degree at the commencement ceremony. However, UVM President Dan Fogel told WPTZ-TV, Plattsburgh, N.Y., that Stein declined the invitation to accept the degree and give a speech after Fogel explained to him that some people were upset by his planned appearance. Commencement obviously is an occasion where we celebrate the achievements of our graduates and it should bring people together, it shouldn't present a speaker who divides the community amidst heated controversy, Fogel told the television station. We will identify another commencement speaker in the weeks ahead.

U.S. film and stage actor Matthew Broderick is set to star in the new Broadway production of "The Philanthropist," the Roundabout Theatre Company announced. The play was written by Tony and Oscar winner Christopher Hampton and will be directed by David Grindley.

By Andy Olin, Houston Chronicle Aug. 4--As episode four of the eye-opening HBO miniseries Generation Kill winds down, Humvee driver Cpl. Josh Ray Person (James Ransone) begins singing Wheatus' Teenage Dirtbag.