Jolie, dad may reconnect
Voight's claim has validity in light of her need for good ink
There is some intrigue to that ''reconciliation'' Jon Voight has been claiming between himself and long-estranged daughter Angelina Jolie.
The actress isn't commenting, but a close Jolie associate tells me Voight's continual chatter about a number of recent phone conversations with his daughter ''may lead to a true reconciliation, but only if Jon doesn't talk about it too much'' in public.
According to Voight, Jolie's partner Brad Pitt was instrumental in starting the communication after the seven-year rift.
Even so, Jolie has been reluctant to talk to her father, given their difficult history -- including Voight's spilling the beans about her first adoption and his later claim she needed mental health counseling.
However, Jolie supposedly hopes her patching things up with Daddy may help offset the bad press already leaking out from two upcoming tell-all books -- one by Jolie's ex-bodyguard Mickey Brett and another by British writer Andrew Morton, who earlier wrote best sellers about Princess Diana, Madonna, Tom Cruise and Monica Lewinsky.
• As part of a careful campaign to counteract the salacious stories the Brett and Morton books will reveal about her sex life and voracious ambition, look for Jolie to be photographed -- even more than usual -- during the next few months. The Oscar winner will be frequently shown in her role as the U.N. goodwill ambassador addressing child welfare, refugee and hunger issues, to further boost her established image as a humanitarian.
SEEN ON THE SCENE: While in town for the big Chicago House fund-raiser, former President Bill Clinton entertained longtime friends and supporters, including J.B. Pritzker, Elzie Higgenbottom and Kevin O'Keefe, at Art Smith's and Julie Latsko's Table Fifty-Two Wednesday night. That's where President Obama had his first Chicago dinner after his inaugural, toasting first lady Michelle Obama last Valentine's Day. ... Also Wednesday, ex-presidential candidate Gen. Wesley Clark was in town, honored at the Boys & Girls Clubs of America with the President's Award at a Ritz-Carlton fete, emceed by actor Courtney B. Vance and co-chaired by civic leaders Jeff Fettig, Ron Gidwitz and David Speer. ... Former Grammy nominee Anthony Hamilton hung out at the Crimson Lounge, later joined by longtime buddy Common -- partying until closing. ... Folk and rock musician Ray LaMontagne dined Wednesday night at Hugo's Frog Bar.
NEW CHAPTERS: Congrats to Hammond native Bob Chapek, just promoted to president of distribution at the Walt Disney Studios. ... Telemundo Chicago's Nelly Carreno launches the station's new entertainment show, ''Acceso Total,'' at a special Spy Bar event Sunday. ... Former ''Wild Chicago'' host Will Clinger resurfaces this weekend with ''Dr. Harlon's Keys to Better Living,'' a new show he's penned. Clinger plays all 11 characters -- a self-help guru/infomercial celebrity, plus 10 devotees who follow his dubious advice. ''Dr. Harlon'' opens tonight and runs through Dec. 13 at the Royal George Gallery.
LOCAL LIGHTS: That new $80 million Chicago film studio complex could have a tenant if a proposed Fox TV dramedy series makes it past the pilot stage. ''Keep Hope Alive'' will star Chicago-based actor Lucas Neff (recently seen in "Lucinda's Bed" at Chicago Dramatists) and Steppenwolf ensemble member Martha Plimpton, plus ''High School Musical'' star Olesya Rulin. Neff will play a 25-year-old guy with an infant -- the result of a one-night stand with a woman now sitting on Death Row. Plimpton will play Neff's mother, who gave birth to him at 16 and doesn't relish bringing up another baby. Rulin will be cast as a friendly waitress Neff's character thinks is perfect to help him with his kid.
VISA WOES: The U.S. launch of Bad Lieutenant, a new band led by former Joy Division/New Order mainstay Bernard Sumner, has been canceled. The band's U.S. dates -- including a Park West gig next Wednesday -- will be rescheduled for next spring, after a paperwork snafu is straightened out with immigration authorities. Refunds are available at point of purchase. A new band will take the opening slot at Thursday's Pixies show at the Aragon.