JAMIE LEE CURTIS - JAMIE LEE FRONTS NEW GAMEBOARD ADS

Actress and author JAMIE LEE CURTIS has been signed up as the new face for boardgame giants Hasbro Games as part of a new Christmas (05) campaign.

The Scrabble fan jumped at the chance to front the `Games Make Great Gifts' commercials because she hopes they will encourage busy parents to make time for family game nights with their children.

Hasbro bosses chose Curtis from a list of 100 potential celebrities to advertise classic games like Monopoly, Twister, Scrabble and Jenga, among others.

Hasbro Games spokesman MARK BLECHER (corr) says, "This is a mom-targeted message and we decided the best way to reach them is to find a celebrity with a focus on helping children develop.

"Jamie Lee is a children's book author and a mom, and games are a big part of her life. She really believes in this."

Blecher admits he knew Curtis was perfect for the ads when he first met her - because she pulled an electronic Yahtzee game out of her purse and relayed how she beat husband CHRISTOPHER GUEST at Scrabble during a plane trip.