PEOPLE Are Talking About …

* Famed actor-director Forest Whitaker's explanation on why he named his daughter True and his son Ocean: "I want those names to be their destiny, for my daughter to be honest and my son to be expansive," Whitaker reportedly revealed, according to the New York Post. "I try to be like a forest, revitalizing and constantly growing." As a child, Whitaker admitted that he was teased about his unusual name, but he maintains his name helped him learn who he was as a person. "Kids would tease me, calling me `Little Bush.' But ... I thought being called Forest helped me find my identity."

* How legendary boxing great Muhammad Ali, reported by Irv Kupcinet of the Chicago Sun-Times, said he'd like to be remembered: "As a Black man who won the heavyweight title; who was humorous and never looked down on those who looked up to him; as a man who tried to unite people through faith in Islam. And if that's too much, I'd settle for being remembered only as a great heavyweight champion who became a preacher and champion of his people."

* The nearly $10,000 raised on the Internet auction for bankrupt former child star Gary Coleman. Some items sold included a date with the diminutive actor for $4,025. His leather couch sold for $427 and his self-described yellow "pimp suit" came in at $325.

* A blind man, Bruce Edward Hall, 48, who police said tried to rob a Memphis, TN, bank as the security guard who helped him to a teller's window stood nearby. Hall entered the bank, accepted the guard's help and then gave the teller a note that demanded money, police said. The teller mouthed, "It's a robbery" to the guard, then gave Hall some money. The guards stopped him as he walked away. Hall was not carrying a weapon; he was charged with robbery.

* Actress Gloria Reuben of the hit TV medical drama "ER," who is touring with legendary performer Tina Turner as a backup singer and dancer this year. "I sang and danced for her," Reuben told People magazine. "Now it's a go. I certainly worked my ass off, but fate has definitely played a good hand."

* Celebrating birthdays this week are legendary boxing great Floyd Patterson, 65, on Jan. 4; noted filmmaker John Singleton, 32, on Jan. 6; and veteran singer Shirley Bassey, 63, on Jan. 8.