Ringwald returns to U.S., showbiz

GOOD MORNING: "I needed a break," Molly Ringwald says of her four-year escape from Hollywood to France. Since the age of 13 she had been in the limelight thanks to her performances in movies such as "16 Candles," "The Breakfast Club" and "Pretty in Pink." She was on the covers of Time and Life -- but then, as so often happens in this biz, Ringwald's films soured as did she about being here. "I needed to grow up outside the limelight," she admits. And so she left. "My parents were supportive," she admits. "But now, I want to work a lot." And that she will -- after flying off to Spain for a month to rejoin French b.f. Valery Lameignere before starting the ABC Carsey-Werner series "Townies," which Molly described to me as "'Friends' for the 'Roseanne' set." As for novelist Lameignere, Ringwald admits, "He's the only guy I've ever gone out with that I would change my name for." But no, they are not engaged, she says. While in France she did a French-speaking film (her French is flawless), "Enfants de salaud," which she hopes will get an American release. She also starred in "Office Killer," Cindy Sherman's directing debut to be released by Miramax, co-starring Carol Kane and Jean Tripplehorn and produced by Christine Vachon and Pam Koffler. Ringwald has film offers already waiting for her first "Townies" hiatus. She sounded happy to be back in the limelight again ... Forest Whitaker, who did an excellent job directing "Waiting to Exhale," and who went back to work in front of the cameras with John Travolta in "Phenomenon" for director Jon Turteltaub, now again puts on his acting hat for HBO's "Angel in Harlem" for first-time feature director Eriq LaSalle. But Forest tells me he's prepping to direct again soon: "Emerald City," a thriller set in Texas for TriStar. On a personal note, Forest and fashion model Keisha Nash were recently wed in Jamaica. She's one model who doesn't want to act, he says. She wants to produce -- movies, that is.

UCLA'S PRESTIGIOUS HONOR, the Chancellor's Medal, goes to Neil Simon June 15 at commencement ceremonies for the school of Theater, Film and TV, headed by Dean Gil Cates. Debbie Allen is keynote speaker at the graduation. And NBC's Warren Littlefield was elected chairman of the Dean's (hefty industry) Advisory Board ... When Donald O'Connor was introduced to receive his honorary doctor of humane letters at Chapman U, the students gave him a standing ovation. O'Connor was described as bringing "laughter and joy" to millions during his six-decade career; Donald said, "I've been in this business so long I didn't know when I became a legend"... Harry Belafonte delivers the commencement address at Buckley High School June 15 ... Hallmark Entertainment (Robert Halmi Sr. and Jr.) is sending out 8,000 boxed sets of six of their telepics for this year's hotter'n ever Emmy campaign. The tapes: "Bye Bye Birdie," "Neil Simon's Jake's Women," "Captive Heart," "Larry McMurtry's Dead Man's Walk," plus his "Streets of Laredo" and "Gulliver's Travels"... Bob Barker started his 25th year hosting "The Price Is Right" Thursday at CBS, having given away $125 million throughout the 4,500 shows. Barker, 72 years young with 10 Emmys to his credit, said, "I feel we're doing the show better than ever" and he signed until July 1997. He'll also host a one-hour "Price Is Right Unforgettable Moments" to air in late August or early September ... Prime Sports Network airs a special "30 Years of Victor Awards" Monday reliving highlights of the longest-running TV'd sports award show ... Producer Richard Day, who departed the Bill Cosby series in April , segued to "Mad About You." Cosby shoots three segs in L.A. in June before moving to permanent HQ in N.Y.

EDWARD JAMES OLMOS IS HONORED by the city June 6 as the PSA, "Where Do You Go to Play in L.A.?" preems at Century 14 Theaters. Olmos is the voice of the trailer, which includes Rodney Dangerfield, Florence Griffith-Joyner, Al Joyner, Sharon Bruneau and Jan Riggs. Eddie tells me he hopes other cities will show the trailer to encourage kids to use city recreation facilities. "I really love L.A. ," he said. "I was born and raised here." He wound "Dead Man's Walk" and next stars in the "12 Angry Men" remake for Bill Friedkin ... Kathleen Kinmont wound back-to-back roles in "That Thing You Do" and "Corporate Ladder" and next co-stars in Image Org's "A Stranger in the House," opposite Michele Greene and Steven Railsback ... Anne Strick, former national pub director at Universal, is on the p.a. tour with her first book, "Injustice for All" (Barricade), and already is writing her second novel ... Among those on hand to applaud Margaret Whiting at her two-weeker at the Cinegrill, former Capitol labelmates Nellie Lutcher, Anita O'Day, Yma Sumac, Hadda Brooks, Gogi Grant, Marilyn King and Al Martino ... Diana Ross joins the list of celebs grouped by the Hollywood Womens Political Committee and the Children's Action Network for Saturday's "Stand for Children" at the Lincoln Memorial.