Dudley Moore Refutes Death Near

L O S   A N G E L E S, Dec. 5 -- Dudley Moore, battling a rare, incurablebrain disorder similar to Parkinson’s disease, is outraged overmedia reports that he’s on his deathbed.

“I suppose my imminent death will sell papers, while mypositive and life-affirming work is of no interest to anyone,”Moore said in an e-mail titled “Open Letter to the InternationalPress,” relayed by his publicist, Michelle Bega.

“I am hurt and discouraged by your cruelty, and I challenge youto set the record straight by printing this statement,” said the Arthur star, who has been undergoing treatment for progressivesupranuclear palsy.

More Than a Few WeeksBega said Moore “is continuing to make excellent progress inhis treatment and recovery.”

In a Monday night BBC interview, the 65-year-old entertainer hadsaid the ailment has left him with a “short and uncertainfuture,” adding, “I know I am going to die from it.” Thatcomment was then picked up by other news organizations, includingThe Associated Press.

Moore wrote in his missive today that he was surprised to hearreports that he has “only weeks to live.”

“I should, I imagine, let my doctor know this, as when I sawhim last week he thought things were much better,” Moore wrote.

Moore said the press has ignored the positive things he’s donerecently, including a new CD, Dudley Moore Live From anAircraft Hangar, and a Web site to raise funds for research onPSP, which attacks brain cells that control balance and eyemovements as well as some mental and motor functions.