KEVIN COSTNER would love to run for political office, but fears he has too may skeletons in his closet.

The actor plays a man who gets to decide the identity of the U.S. president in his new movie Swing Vote.

And the 53-year-old confesses he would love to swap Hollywood for Washington D.C., if he was more clean-cut.

Costner tells Moviefone, “I’ve just lived a little bit too colourful a life. I think people would use that to their advantage, and we would quickly get off the issues that were important. And we would move to something that was just kind of sensational and fun that really doesn’t matter. And that wouldn’t be any fun for me.

Tiny movie star VERNE TROYER is suing his former girlfriend and sex tape partner for $20 million (GBP10 million), accusing her of abusing him.

In the legal documents, filed in Los Angeles on Thursday (31Jul08), Troyer claims his former partner Ranae Shrider intentionally inflicted emotional distress and battery – by releasing explicit footage of them together and beating him up.

According to paperwork obtained by TMZ.com, the star claims the sex tape episode left him with “great mental, physical and nervous pain and suffering”.

Troyer also accuses Shrider of picking the lock to his bedroom door and throwing him to the floor.

His lawyer, Ed McPherson adds: “When you pick up a two foot, eight inch (81.3 centimetres) human being and throw him to the floor, it hurts.”

ANGELINA JOLIE’s dad JON VOIGHT is amazed his daughter is now a mother of six – because she had no interest in kids when she was younger.

The pair recently reconciled after a long rift, which started when Voight told a TV interviewer Jolie had “severe emotional problems”.

And Voight is looking forward to meeting his new grandchildren; Knox and Vivienne – Jolie and partner Brad Pitt’s fifth and sixth children.

But the Midnight Cowboy star never expected Jolie to be a mother to so many. He says, “You know she wasn’t the kind that played with dolls and then all of the sudden she has all of these children.

“She loves kids though. Very playful. It’s wonderful.”

SHIA LaBEOUF’s car crash is causing chaos on the set of his new movie TRANSFORMERS 2, according to reports.

The actor was arrested and charged with driving under the influence (DUI) after his truck flipped across a road and collided with another vehicle in Hollywood on Sunday (27Jul08).

He injured his hand in the smash and was treated at Los Angeles’ Cedars-Sinai Medical Center. His publicist insists he will be back on the movie’s set within a month.

While Transformers 2 insiders insist LaBeouf’s injury hasn’t disrupted shooting, separate sources tell industry publication Daily Variety at least two days of filming have been lost. Scenes have also had to be rescheduled to accommodate the star’s absence.

Director Michael Bay has refused to comment.

BRITNEY SPEARS, PARIS HILTON and LINDSAY LOHAN attract and encourage the paparazzi by behaving badly, according to Los Angeles police chief WILLIAM BRATTON.

In an astonishing outburst on Thursday (31Jul08) Bratton claimed photographers have calmed down since “Britney started wearing clothes (and) Lindsay Lohan has gone gay”, referring to the actress’ rumoured romance with DJ Samantha Ronson.

He said in an interview with local TV station KNBC-TV, “If the ones that attract the paparazzi behave in the first place, like we expect of anybody, that solves about 90 per cent of the problem. The rest we can deal with.

“If you notice, since Britney started wearing clothes and behaving; Paris is out of town not bothering anybody anymore, thank God, and evidently, Lindsay Lohan has gone gay, we don’t seem to have much of an issue.”

Bratton refused to appear at a Los Angeles City Hall meeting scheduled for the same day, attended by rocker John Mayer, to discuss ways to restrict aggressive paparazzi.

He insisted “we have sufficient laws on the books” to deal with the paparazzi.

Hollywood star ROB LOWE’s former nanny is claiming victory in her legal battle with the actor, after a judge threw out four of Lowe’s claims against her in court on Thursday (31Jul08).

Lowe sued Jessica Gibson in April (08), claiming she tried to extort money out of him. Gibson countersued, accusing the actor of groping her and exposing himself.

In a hearing in California on Thursday (31Jul08) Superior Court Judge Denise de Bellefeuille dismissed four of Lowe’s accusations – including his claim Gibson defamed him.

Gibson’s lawyer Gloria Allred says of the decision, “This is a huge victory for us today. We look forward to continuing with our sexual harassment suit against the Lowes.”

But Lowe is refusing to accept defeat, and his lawyer Larry Stein is encouraged by the judge’s decision to toss out one of Gibson’s claims, telling People.com, “We didn’t lose anything today. I’m delighted with the dismissal we won, and in essence, our lawsuit against Gibson remains totally intact.”

Lowe is also being sued by a second nanny, Laura Boyce, but has denied any improper behaviour.

AMERICAN IDOL champion DAVID COOK has reason to cheer – his brother is winning his battle with brain cancer.

Adam Cook, 36, travelled from his home in Indiana to celebrate his younger brother’s victory in the TV talent show earlier this year (08).

And the 26-year-old hitmaker reveals it’s his turn to cheer on his brother: “My brother’s tumour for the time being is in limbo. It’s not growing, for the time being, which is good news.”

Rapper NE-YO is so attached to his mother, he has bought her a new home in Atlanta, Georgia so they can be closer.

The Las Vegas, Nevada native has moved east to concentrate on his music – but found himself lost without his beloved mum.

So he has splashed out on a house for her. The 25-year-old reveals, “I just moved my mom out to Atlanta with me. I bought her a townhouse, so I don’t have to go too far. She’s my closest companion.”

Former JANE’S ADDICTION frontman PERRY FARRELL is baffled by rumours KANYE WEST is to be joined on stage by U.S. presidential candidate BARACK OBAMA at this year’s (08) Lollapalooza music festival.

West is rumoured to have persuaded the popular Illinois senator to introduce his set at this weekend’s (01-03Aug08) event in Chicago, Illinois.

But Farrell – who organises the annual gathering – has no idea himself whether the unusual on-stage pairing will take place.

He tells MTV.com, “That’s definitely been the rumour, and it’s been coming from their (West and Obama’s) camp. I hear that it’s his (Obama’s) birthday that weekend, so he might be in town.

“But these guys – you’re never going to know anything until the last minute anyway. That’s what I’ve been told. I’ve heard those same rumours, and that would be really cool, right?

“But there are definitely no guarantees.”

Singer JOHN MAYER led calls for paparazzi photographers to be regulated in a Los Angeles meeting on Thursday (31Jul08).

The musician – a top target for snappers due to his romance with actress Jennifer Aniston – wants a number of measures introduced to protect celebrities and the public from photographers.

He asked for a “law governing an acceptable filming distance from an unwilling subject (to keep) everybody safe and misbehaviour accountable”, reports Usmagazine.com.

Mayer said, “I don’t sit before you today to ask that you ban the paparazzi. I’m asking you to regulate it. Officialise it. Tax it. Legitimise it.

“I don’t want to beg the city of Los Angeles to give me 1987 back. I love being a famous musician in 2008… This is about safety.”