'Iron Man' tops 'Racer'

"Speed Racer" was lapped in its opening weekend at the box office as Robert Downey Jr.'s "Iron Man" continued to fire its jets with $50.5 million in ticket sales, according to studio estimates. The anime-inspired race movie edged into the No. 2 spot with $20.2 million, slightly ahead of the comedy "What Happens in Vegas," starring Cameron Diaz and Ashton Kutcher, which debuted at $20 million. Five of the top 10 grossing movies were comedies, including the Patrick Dempsey- led film, "Made of Honor," which took in $7.6 million in its second week, for fourth place. Over the next few weeks, several big movies will take a shot at "Iron Man," starting with "The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian," opening Friday, and "Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull" May 22. (AP)

Actor Dennis Farina was charged with a felony yesterday at Los Angeles International Airport after a loaded gun was found in his carry-on luggage. When the weapon was discovered at a security checkpoint, the 64-year-old actor said he had forgotten the .22-caliber handgun was in his luggage, police said. Farina was booked for investigation of carrying a concealed weapon, police said, and bail was set at $25,000 before police discovered the weapon was not registered. Charges were then upgraded to a felony, and he is now being held in lieu of $35,000 bail. Farina's latest film, the Ashton Kutcher-Cameron Diaz comedy "What Happens in Vegas," opened Friday. The actor is also a former Chicago police officer. Calls to Farina's lawyer and agent were not returned yesterday. (AP)

Vanessa Williams, 45, received her bachelor of fine arts degree from Syracuse University, nearly 25 years after she dropped out to become the first black Miss America. The actress-singer, who stars in ABC's "Ugly Betty," also delivered the convocation address Saturday to graduates of Syracuse's College of Visual and Performing Arts. (AP)

Carrie Underwood is the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry. The singer joined the cast of the long-running Nashville-based country music show Saturday. Garth Brooks handled her formal induction and Vince Gill sang a duet with her. "This really seems like a great family to be part of," Underwood said, as she fought back tears. (AP)