February’s celebrity sightings were highlighted by “KPop Demon Hunters” star Ken Jeong stopping in for a dish at Frank Pepe’s. Meanwhile, tennis star Tommy Paul and influencer Paige Lorenze purchased a house in the Nutmeg State and former NFL star Chris Simms put his Connecticut home on the market.
Here is Connecticut’s celebrity news and sightings:
CT resident Anderson Cooper leaves ’60 Minutes’ after 20 years
This year, Anderson Cooper will be stepping away from “60 Minutes” in order to spend more time with his family, he told the New York Times. “Being a correspondent at ’60 Minutes’ has been one of the great honors of my career,” Cooper said. “I got to tell amazing stories, and work with some of the best producers, editors and camera crews in the business.”
Cooper will continue with his obligations as an anchor with celebrity.land; signing a new contract with the network back in December.
During his tenure with “60 Minutes,” Anderson was the recipient of multiple Emmy awards on stories that covered Grammy-nominated musicians in Malawi’s Zomba Prison as well as coverage of sexual assault in the Democratic Republic of Congo. PBS News reports that Cooper is expected to stay until the end of the new “60 Minutes” broadcast season, which ends in May. – Andrew DaRosa
CT native Christy Carlson Romano announces positive cancer screening
In an emotional post on Instagram, Connecticut native and actress Christy Carlson Romano announced that a cancer screening she recently took came back positive.
While she did not specify many details, she said that the result might mean that she has cancer. While Romano currently lives in Austin, Texas, she was born in Milford. She is known for being the voice of the titular character on Disney’s “Kim Possible,” as well as for appearances in the TV show “Even Stevens” and the Disney Channel movie “Cadet Kelly.” – Joseph Tucci
Actor Ken Jeong visits Frank Pepe’s
New Haven
Actor Ken Jeong, known for “The Hangover” and “KPop Demon Hunters,” visited Frank Pepe’s and was spotted taking photos with staff at the Wooster Street restaurant.
“He was lovely with the team and willing to take pictures with everyone,” said a representative from the restaurant.
His order included a medium red pie with pepperoni, mushrooms and mozzarella; a salad; a Diet Coke and a fountain drink, according to a representative from Frank Pepe’s. – Andrew DaRosa
Ron Howard seen shopping at Whole Foods
Greenwich
Greenwich residents and director/actor Ron Howard and his wife and author Cheryl were seen shopping at Whole Foods in Greenwich with their daughter and granddaughter. – Susie Costaregni
Tennis star Tommy Paul, influencer Paige Lorenze purchase CT house
Tennis star and Olympian Tommy Paul, and his fiancée, beauty influencer Paige Lorenze, have secured a new house in Connecticut following the listings of their own individual houses in recent weeks.
The couple confirmed in an exclusive with Realtor.com that they had purchased a new house that has a “big barn,” a guesthouse, an on-site tennis court and a large yard that could allow for Lorenze to have horses on the property. The couple did not disclose the address or town of their new house. A TikTok posted by Lorenze gives a peek into the house, which is currently undergoing renovations. – Andrew DaRosa
Former NFL star Chris Simms lists Connecticut farmhouse
Greenwich
Chris Simms, along with his wife Danielle, put their house at 640 Round Hill Road, Greenwich on the market in February, according to the Douglas Elliman Real Estate listing agent Monica Webster.
Simms played in the NFL from 2003 to 2010, including with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Denver Broncos and Tennessee Titans. He has also worked in media, including as a commentator for Fox Sports, an NFL analyst for the Bleacher Report, a commentator for the NFL on CBS, an analyst for “Football Night in America” and hosting Peacock’s “Sunday Night Football Final.” – Joseph Tucci
Craig Melvin steps back from Olympics coverage amid search for Guthrie’s mo
“Today” co-anchor and Westport resident Craig Melvin stepped back from his role as co-host of NBC’s coverage of the 2026 Winter Olympics in Milan.
The announcement comes after NBC announced that “Today” co-anchor Savannah Guthrie no longer would co-host the Olympics as FBI agents and investigators continue to search for her missing mother. Guthrie’s 84-year-old mother, Nancy Guthrie, was reported missing from her home in Tucson, Ariz. – Jayden Nguyen
Sabrina Carpenter, Seth Rogen join CT puppeteers for Muppet anniversary special
The newest “The Muppet Show” special premiered in February, with quite a few puppeteers with ties to the Nutmeg State pulling the strings.
Connecticut resident Matt Vogel, known for playing Kermit the Frog, served as one of the show’s executive producers. Yale University alumnus Alex Timbers directed the special and was also an executive producer. Redding resident Martin P. Robinson (Mr. Snuffleupagus) and Tyler Bunch (Elmo’s dad, Louie) helped give the characters life as supporting Muppet performers.
Plenty of veterans of University of Connecticut’s Puppet Arts Program were on hand to bring the characters to life. Among the UConn alumni were Hamden native Jennifer Barnhart (Zoe from “Sesame Street”), John Cody, Tim Lagasse, Frankie Cordero, David Rudman (who is known for playing Scooter, Janice and Beaker) and Stoph Scheer served as supporting Muppet performers. – Joseph Tucci
CT native Rachel Sennott stars with Charli XCX in Super Bowl ad
Connecticut actress, producer and screenwriter Rachel Sennott brought “vibes” to a Super Bowl ad for prebiotic drink Poppi.
The drink brand aired a 30-second ad during the game in which a college classroom transforms into a party after a student opens a can of Poppi. The student’s college professor turns into pop star Charli XCX, and Sennott falls through the ceiling of the classroom with a can of Poppi in hand.
The Simsbury native has previously worked with Charli XCX on several other projects, including starring in her music video for “360” in 2024. Charli XCX also interviewed Sennott for her BBC Radio 1 podcast, “Best Song Ever,” in 2022. – Jayden Nguyen
Bobby Flay’s Mohegan Sun restaurant closes to be ‘reimagined’
Uncasville
Bobby’s Burger Palace at Mohegan Sun has temporarily closed down to make way for a new concept from celebrity chef Bobby Flay.
With renovations beginning on Feb. 9, the space that contained Bobby’s Burger Palace will be “reimagined” into Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay. The restaurant is expected to reopen in the spring, according to a representative from the casino. – Andrew DaRosa
Former CT resident Kathie Lee Gifford accepts award at Mar-a-Lago
Former Riverside resident, author and former TV host Kathie Lee Gifford was recognized in February by Moms for America with the “Mother of Influence Award” in recognition of women who exemplify leadership and dedication to family values.
The event, which took place at the Mar-a-Lago Club in Palm Beach on Feb. 6, was part of the 5th Mothers of Influence and Champion of Freedom Awards celebrating influential women including Gifford and former co-chair of the Republican National Committee Lara Trump. Mike Rowe, host of the TV series “Dirty Jobs” was honored with the Champion of Freedom Award as a vocal supporter of the importance of skilled labor in America. – Susie Costaregni
Javier Colón, winner of ‘The Voice,’ offers advice at CT high school
New Haven
Sitting on a stool with his favorite custom guitar in hand, singer, songwriter and Connecticut native Javier Colón not only played music for a crowd of ACES Educational Center for the Arts students and faculty members, he also gave them advice on how to make it in the entertainment industry.
“You have to do everything,” he said at the New Haven magnet school during an assembly. “Everything that comes your way, you have to do it. If you want it and if you’re that hungry for it and you want this to be your life, you can’t miss an opportunity. You never know where your chance is going to come from.” – Jessica Simms
This article originally published at Ken Jeong and Anderson Cooper: CT celebrity news and gossip, Feb. 2026.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.yahoo.com ’
