Names and Faces: Monday, Aug. 17, 2009

A Joint Effort

Brad Pitt says he's cleaned up since becoming a dad.

The "Inglourious Basterds" actor, a guest on HBO's "Real Time With Bill Maher" show Friday night, reminisced about a party he and Maher attended years ago. "You just rolled the perfect joint," Maher said to studio laughter. "The most perfect joint I'd ever seen. Like a machine. It was better than a cigarette."

"I'm an artist," Pitt replied.

He added that he's given up the drug. "I'm a dad now," said Pitt, who has six children with partner Angelina Jolie, first becoming a dad in 2006. "You want to be alert."

'Musical' Wedding Bells

Vanessa Hudgens has confirmed that she is marrying "High School Musical" co-star Zac Efron.

The 20-year-old star of the Disney franchise told Britain's News of the World that she and Efron are definitely tying the knot, though they haven't set a date.

First Family Fiesta

President Obama and the first fam were spotted Saturday night at a restaurant in Phoenix, celebrating the birthday of the president's half sister, Maya Soetoro-Ng.

At Macayo's -- which local newspapers characterize as serving modestly priced, "dependable" Mexican food -- the president reportedly ordered the triple fajitas and a Tres Margarita, made with Sauza Tres Generaciones Plata Tequila, Presidente Brandy (fitting) and Patrón Citrónge, TMZ reported.

The bill came to about $200, and POTUS tipped each waitress (two of them!) 20 percent and then an extra $100, the restaurant said.

The Obamas reportedly arrived in Arizona on Saturday, concluding a tour that was half-vacation, half health-care reform promotion.

Thanks for Thinking of Me

New York mega-flack Lizzie Grubman is denying that a diva-ish character in an upcoming novel by an ex-employee is based on her.