Leo Helps Gorillas, Joan's Dog Dies

By Stephen M. Silverman

09/10/2001 at 08:18 AM EDT

ASSISTED: Leonardo DiCaprio, 27, is helping to promote the sales of "gorilla-friendly" cell phones. Prompted by the Dian Fossey Fund, the actor's work is part of a promotion designed to persuade the public not to buy cell phones containing the mineral coltan -- if it has been mined from areas where gorillas have been killed . . . DIED: Spike, 17, a Yorkshire terrier who appeared with his owner, Joan Rivers, on "The Tonight Show" (in the '80s) and on the cover of PEOPLE, died of a heart attack Saturday, said the comic's publicist. In addition to the TV and magazine appearances, Spike also was Mr. February in a Ralston Purina calendar . . . SET: "Survivor" million-dollar winner Richard Hatch has a court date. He will go on trial Sept. 17 for allegedly assaulting a former boyfriend, reports USA Today . . . WON: Ben Stiller, 35, has claimed a victory in a battle against the Motion Picture Association of America's ratings board over an unusual orgy scene in his upcoming film, "Zoolander," reports the Los Angeles Times. "I prefer to call it the love fest," Stiller told the paper. The scene reportedly includes Stiller, a Maori tribesman, a midget, Owen Wilson and Stiller's wife, Christine Taylor. The MPAA rated the film R on account of the scene -- until Stiller ultimately convinced the board that the scene was more silly than sexy. It is now rated PG-13 . . . ADDED: Homer's Cinnamon Donut Cereal and Bart Simpson's Peanut Butter Chocolate Crunch are being added to the Kellogg's family of breakfast cereals, reports Variety. The grocery store debuts are set for later this month. Both will retail for about $2.49 a box. No word on whether or not Kellogg intends to include any "Simpsons" toys in the box, but the packaging will feature plenty of show-related trivia. And Count Chocula is said to be green with envy.