Hunky Ryan Kwanten, from ‘True’ horror to geek comedy

Australian actor Ryan Kwanten, once a cast member of the long-running soap from Down Under, “Home and Away,” eventually starred in the American horror series “True Blood,” as the dimwitted but lovable hunk Jason Stackhouse.

Kwanten played the character for seven seasons, from 2008 to 2014. He is currently in the cast of the film “Supercon,” a comedy about a comic convention-connected heist that also features John Malkovich. The actor, 40, will play a thieving voice talent in the movie, scheduled for a 2017 release.

Zoë Kravitz, Jill of all trades

Actress-model Zoë Kravitz is following in her parents’ footsteps. The daughter of former “The Cosby Show” actress Lisa Bonet and singer-songwriter Lenny Kravitz portrayed one of the fleeing Brides in last year’s “Mad Max: Fury Road.” Back in 2011, she played the winged mutant Angel Salvadore in “X-Men: First Class.” She was also in the “Divergent” movies as rebel Christina.

Like her mom, Zoë also pursued modeling aside from acting, and has appeared in ad campaigns for a fragrance brand and a jewelry line. And, like her dad, she also has a music career. Zoë is the singer of an electropop band, Lolawolf—named after young siblings Lola and Wolf, her mom’s kids with husband Jason Momoa.

’Tis the season for Yule tunes

Currently out are Christmas albums from a diverse bunch of artists. Rock band The Killers has “Don’t Waste Your Wishes,” which includes quirky tracks such as “Joseph, Better You Than Me” and “The Cowboys’ Christmas Ball.” A cappella group Pentatonix’s release, “A Pentatonix Christmas,” includes familiar holiday tunes like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.” And a collaboration album between Olivia Newton-John and John Farnham, “Friends for Christmas,” is an eclectic mix of religious and secular classics.—OLIVER M. PULUMBARIT