'Desperate Housewives' Actor Denies Rumors

DETROIT (AP) – Former "Desperate Housewives" actor Page Kennedy says he wasn't fired from the hit show because of any improper behavior. The Detroit native and former Western Michigan University stu-dent said officials merely wanted to recast his role. "There are a lot of stories that have been told, but the truth of the matter is that Touchstone (the show's producer) decided to go in a new direction, and they bought out my contract," Kennedy told the Detroit Free Press for a story published Wednesday. Publicists for the series have said Kennedy, who joined the show this season, was let go earlier this month after a "thorough investigation by the studio" of allegations of improper conduct made against him. Kennedy, 28, said he's concerned about the damage the allegations could do to his image, at least in the short term. "I feel that my life will be looked at under a microscope now," he told The Detroit News. "Anything that I do or am perceived to do will make news." Kennedy played Caleb, a character shrouded in mystery and seen only briefly as he was held captive in the basement of Wisteria Lane newcomer Betty Applewhite (Alfre Woodard). In the Oct. 23 episode, it was revealed that Caleb may be responsible for a teenager's murder in Chicago. The role of Caleb has been recast, and Kennedy's final appearance on the ABC se-ries aired Sunday.