PAs in the news

Another week has passed and that means it’s time for another round-up of all manner of weird and wonderful goings-on within the PA community. Romance seems to be in the air for Oscar-nominated actor Josh Brolin, who has been seen squiring his personal assistant around town. The town in question is Rome, where Josh is currently filming new movie Everest and the two were reportedly seen kissing by that most romantic of landmarks, the Trevi Fountain. We can’t imagine that employee Kathryn Boyd has any complaints about the unexpected turn her role has taken.

Next up is the lady who acted as Angelina Jolie’s PA when Team Brangelina recently descended on Queensland. Unfortunately for our more inquisitive readers, we are unable to bring you any juicy details of the visit, as Australian Samantha Laidlaw had to sign a strict confidentiality agreement. However, she did comment that she was shocked by the intensity of the trip, adding that Brad and Angelina are used to it – “they are just normal people who happen to love their privacy”, the 28-year-old was quoted as saying.

Samantha accompanied the Jolie-Pitts to theme parks and “other locations”, but she is not allowed to disclose exactly where the superstars and their six-strong brood went. She is clearly in awe of her über-famous employers, describing them thus: “Ange is a powerhouse and Brad is an amazing guy.”

Another famous face, albeit from a different generation, has also been in the news of late. Frank Sinatra’s former assistant, Paul Colby, has died at the age of 96. Paul began his career as a promoter for several music artists, including Louis Armstrong and Duke Ellington, before becoming the My Way crooner’s PA.

Among the kind of errands that he ran for his legendary boss was chauffeuring stars of that era such as Ava Gardner to and from the airport at the time when she and Ol’ Blue Eyes were embroiled in a steamy love affair.