Names and faces

LITTLE ROCK — Action movie star Jackie Chan said Wednesday that he was not upset about his small role in the Beijing Olympics' opening and closing ceremonies because he was happy to play any part in promoting the games. The world's best-known Chinese movie idol sang along with other singers at the end of both ceremonies, while the spotlight instead fell on retired Chinese gymnast Li Ning who soared - suspended by wires - around the upper, inner rim of the Bird's Nest Stadium to light theOlympic cauldron. "I don't question my role. When the Beijing Organizing Committee beckons, I'm there," the 54-year-old actor said, noting that he passed on two commercials and a movie to help promote the games. Chan spoke after being named an honorary professor at the Savannah College of Art and Design at a ceremony in Hong Kong. In his blog, Chan said he and his fellow performers waited for 10 hours before appearing in the closing ceremony. "No one asked, 'Why are we stuck in this situation?' We just felt very honored and very happy that we participated in the Beijing Olympics," he said Wednesday. However, Chan said in his blog that he got bored during the wait and went into the stands to watch the closing ceremony, which caused a distraction.

Prosecutors Wednesday charged actress Mackenzie Phillips with felony drug possession in connection with her arrest last week at Los Angeles International Airport. Phillips, 48, faces two felony counts of possession of a controlled substance, heroin and cocaine, and one misdemeanor count of unauthorized possession of a needle or syringe, officials said. Her arraignment is scheduled for October. Phillips was arrested Aug. 27 by Los Angeles Airport Police officers after TransportationSecurity Administration officials discovered what appeared to be narcotics during a baggage search. The alleged narcotics were in balloons and baggies typically used for heroin and cocaine, officials said. Phillips was booked and released on $20,000 bail. Phillips, who has spoken publicly about her struggles with drugs, first gained attention for her role in the 1973 movie American Graffiti. She went on to star in the television comedy series One Day at a Time but had well-publicized problems with substance abuse during the show's run and left the production at least twice. Phillips is the daughter of the late John Phillips of the Mamas & the Papas and the half sister of singer Chynna Phillips and actress Bijou Phillips.