VIOLA DAVIS

Will Smith, Lady Gaga and Ben Affleck landed individual nominations for the 28th Screen Actors Guild Awards on Wednesday, while the casts of “Belfast” and “CODA” were among those nominated for the guild’s top award, best ensemble.

Tributes to Sidney Poitier poured in from Hollywood and elsewhere following the death of the groundbreaking actor and cultural icon.

Jennifer Garner has been named Woman of the Year by Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals, based not just on her career as an actor, but also because of her record as a philanthropist and entrepreneur.

Jason Bateman has been named the 2022 Man of the Year by Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals.

Denzel Washington the actor has some 60 films under his belt, plus two Oscars, and at 66 is universally regarded as one of the all-time greats.

This week’s new entertainment releases include a double album from Alicia Keys and a posthumous one from Juice Wrld, Sandra Bullock playing an ex-con in the Netflix film “The Unforgivable” and Will Smith testing himself in a wildlife documentary series.

Oklahoma's governor has spared the life of Julius Jones, just hours before he was scheduled to be executed.

Julius Jones’ execution has been halted, four hours before he was scheduled to receive a lethal injection.

Oklahoma’s Pardon and Parole Board is recommending the governor commute the death sentence of Julius Jones for a 1999 killing.

The Oklahoma Supreme Court has rejected a request to remove two members of the state's Pardon and Parole Board from a high-profile death penalty case.

Moviegoing, once expected to be closer to semi-normal levels by now, continues to be battered by the pandemic, the delta variant of the coronavirus and in-home streaming.

This week’s new entertainment releases include a new collection of previously unreleased songs from Barbra Streisand and the new Netflix animated movie, “Vivo,” in which Lin-Manuel Miranda is a voice actor and provides original songs.

Oscar winner Viola Davis is working on a memoir her publisher calls deeply personal and brutally honest.

Three acts who kept music alive during the worldwide pandemic will be honored by the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers later this month.

Megan Thee Stallion and DaBaby are the prom queen and king of the 2021 BET Awards.

Makeup artist Sergio Lopez-Rivera, hair department head Mia Neal, and Viola Davis' personal hairstylist, Jamika Wilson, took home the statue for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, with the latter pairing becoming the first-ever Black stylists to win in the category.

"Don't hate anybody. I refuse to hate someone because they're Mexican or because they are Black or white, or LGBTQ. I refuse to hate someone because they're a police officer," he said.

Two foundations that serve the needy achieved the kind of spotlight at the Academy Awards telecast that any nonprofit yearns for: A shout-out from a famous celebrity to the 10 million or more people estimated to be watching from home.

Frances McDormand has two more Oscars.

Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland,” won best picture Sunday at the 93rd Academy Awards, where the China-born Zhao also became just the second woman — and the first woman of color — to win best director.

The Oscar-winning actress on overcoming poverty, staying humble and fighting for her worth.

Chloé Zhao’s “Nomadland” won best feature at the 36th Independent Spirit Awards in a ceremony that turned the annual beach soiree into a virtual, largely pre-taped event, and, possibly, an Oscar preview.

The Oscars are finally here after a year that erased movie titles from marquees and sent seismic shockwaves through Hollywood.

Ahead of Sunday’s 93rd Academy Awards, Associated Press Film Writers Jake Coyle and Lindsey Bahr share their predictions for a ceremony that may see historic wins in multiple categories.

This week’s new entertainment releases include the final two parts of Eric Church's three-album project, “Heart & Soul.”.

The Academy Award-winning actress shares the screen with the late Chadwick Boseman in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," Boseman's final film.

Viola Davis opens up to Jon Wertheim about her role as Ma Rainey, her relationship with August Wilson's material, a bold scene on "How to Get Away with Murder" and her life growing up.

The Oath Keepers militia group's path to breaching the Capitol; Black Americans more prone to health issues because of racism; Viola Davis: The 60 Minutes Interview.

Viola Davis opens up to Jon Wertheim about her role as Ma Rainey, her relationship with August Wilson's material, a bold scene on "How to Get Away with Murder" and her life growing up.

The Oath Keepers militia group's path to breaching the Capitol; Black Americans more prone to health issues because of racism; Viola Davis: The 60 Minutes Interview

Viola Davis has been named Woman of the Year by Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals.

Hip-hop artists and celebrities paid homage to rapper DMX who died Friday at 50.

FILE - In this Jan. 12, 2020, file photo, Eddie Murphy accepts the lifetime achievement award at the 25th annual Critics' Choice Awards in Santa Monica, Calif. Murphy will be inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame this month. The NAACP announced Thursday, March 11, 2021, that Murphy will be inducted during the March 27 ceremony, which will air on CBS. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, File)LOS ANGELES – Eddie Murphy was inducted into the NAACP Image Awards Hall of Fame at the organization’s show that highlighted works by entertainers and athletes of color. I’m very moved.”Murphy went on to send a message to Hall about his famous red leather suit from his 1983 stand-up special “Delirious.”“My red suit was not that tight Arsenio,” Murphy said. “I get a lot of cracks about that red suit.

10 — Nominations for “Mank," the most of any film this year, with nods for best picture, best director for Fincher, best actor for Gary Oldman and best supporting actress for Seyfried. In the best supporting actor category, Heath Ledger and Ralph Richardson were nominated, with Ledger winning for “The Dark Knight” in 2009. 5 — African nations that have received nominations for best international feature, now that Tunisia has its first nominee, “The Man Who Sold His Skin." 4 — Nominations received by “Nomadland” director Chloé Zhao, a record for a woman in a record year for women. 1 — Man nominated for both best actor and best original song.

This image released by Netflix shows Michael Potts, from left, Chadwick Boseman and Colman Domingo in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." (David Lee/Netflix via AP)NEW YORK – Half a year after his death, Chadwick Boseman was posthumously nominated for an Academy Award on Monday for his final performance in “Ma Rainey's Black Bottom.”The nomination for best actor was widely expected but still historic. Boseman is the first Black performer ever nominated posthumously for an Oscar. He was nominated alongside Steven Yeun ("Minari"), Riz Ahmed ("Sound of Metal"), Anthony Hopkins ("The Father") and Gary Oldman ("Mank"). Three months later, the August Wilson adaptation “Ma Rainey's Black Bottom” was released by Netflix.

Netflix , which distributed the film, has a total of 35 nominations, the most of any distributor this year. History was made during the nominations for the 93rd annual Academy Awards on Monday. The 2021 Oscars marks the first time an all-Black producing team has been nominated for the best picture award. Chloe Zhao is nominated for her work on "Nomadland" and Emerald Fennell is nominated for "Promising Young Woman." Viola Davis, who was nominated for best actress for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," is the most-nominated Black actress ever, with four nominations, and the only Black woman with two best actress nominations.

Zhao, the first woman of color nominated for best director, is the most nominated woman in a single year in Oscar history. She was also tipped for the film’s adapted screenplay, editing and as a producer in the best picture category. “I just quietly gave thanks and felt some gratitude.”Davis, who won for her performance in 2016’s “Fences,” landed her fourth Oscar nomination, making her the most nominated Black actress ever. The Academy Awards would typically have happened by now but this year will be telecast April 25. “Collective,” the Romanian documentary about investigative journalism and government corruption, became just the second film nominated for both best documentary and best international film.

This image released by Altitude shows, from left, Kosar Ali, Ruby Stokes and Bukky Bakray in a scene from "Rocks." Much like previous Academy Awards controversies, last year's nominations by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts were denounced for their all-male directing nominees and all-white acting nominees, a backlash that spawned a #BaftasSoWhite hashtag. The British academy responded with a seven-month review. Also nominated are Lee Isaac Chung for the family drama “Minari” and Thomas Vinterberg for the Danish dark comedy “Another Round.”More films were nominated, too. ___AP's Hilary Fox contributed to this report from London___Follow AP Film Writer Jake Coyle on Twitter at: http://twitter.com/jakecoyleAP

(NBC via AP)In the opening moments of a Golden Globes night even more chaotic and confounding than usual, co-host Tina Fey raised a theoretical question: “Could this whole night have been an email?” Only the next three hours would tell. Or Chloé Zhao, making history as the first woman of Asian descent to win best director (and the first woman since 1984.) AdOf course, there were the usual confounding results and baffling snubs, compounded here by some epic Zoom fails. ZHAO MAKES HISTORYWhen Zhao won best director for her haunting and elegant “Nomadland,” she was the first woman of Asian descent to win that award. It was updated on March 3, 2021, to correct the nationality of director of “Nomadland.” Chloe Zhao is Chinese, not Asian American.

In this video grab issued Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021, by NBC, Jane Fonda accepts the Cecil B. deMille Award at the Golden Globe Awards. (NBC via AP)LOS ANGELES – Just like in her career, Jane Fonda used the Golden Globes’ platform to speak on deeper issues calling for greater diversity in Hollywood while praising the “community of storytellers” as she accepted the Cecil B. DeMille Award. While wearing an all-white suit, Fonda raised the Globes’ highest honor above her head Sunday before commending storytellers for their vital role in troubled times. She is the daughter of Oscar winner Henry Fonda, who died in 1982, and sister of Peter Fonda, who died in 2019. She launched IndieCollect’s Jane Fonda Fund for Women Directors, an organization aimed to support the restoration of films helmed by women from around the world.

The Screen Actors Guild has nominated the cast for a SAG Award for outstanding performance by a cast in a motion picture. But the SAG Awards, presented by SAG-AFTRA, are considered a far better barometer for the Academy Awards, where actors account for the largest percentage of the academy. Usually, the eventual Oscar best picture winner is first nominated for best ensemble by the SAG Awards, though “Green Book” and “The Shape of Water" were two recent exceptions. In 2019, he memorably a ccepted the SAG ensemble award for “Black Panther." Aside from Boseman and Oldman, the nominees for best male actor in a lead role were Riz Ahmed (“Sound of Metal”), Anthony Hopkins (“The Father”) and Steven Yeun (“Minari”).

This combination photo shows Leslie Odom Jr. posing for a portrait on Nov. 8, 2019 in New York, from left, H.E.R. On Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021, Leslie Odom Jr., H.E.R. and Andra Day were announced along with Celeste and Diane Warren as the Golden Globe nominees for best original song. Day and Odom Jr. follow the footsteps of Mary J. Blige, Lady Gaga and Cynthia Erivo, who all recently scored acting and music nods in a single year. However, the tracks can compete for best original song at the Oscars.

In this image released by Netflix, Gary Oldman portrays Herman Mankiewicz in a scene from "Mank." On Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2021 the film was nominated for a Golden Globe for best motion picture drama. “Mank,” about “Citizen Kane” co-writer Herman Mankiewicz, landed nominations for best film, drama; best actor for Gary Oldman; best director for Fincher, best supporting actress for Amanda Seyfried; best score; and best screenplay for Jack Fincher, the director’s father who penned the script before dying in 2003. Netflix, which topped all studios at the Globes last year, too, led with a commanding 42 nominations, with 22 coming in film categories and 20 in television. AdThe Globes are typically the first major show of Hollywood’s awards season, which ends with the crowning of the best picture winner at the Oscars.

Nominations for the 78th annual Golden Globes will be announced on Wednesday, Feb. 2, 2021. (Photo by Jordan Strauss/Invision/AP, File)NEW YORK – Whether anyone will be attending the Golden Globes in person remains uncertain and improbable. On Tuesday, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association said the Globes — typically a bubbly dinner gathering with flowing drinks — will be held bi-coastally for the first time. digital channels and the Golden Globes' website. Last year's Golden Globes culminated in awards for “1917” and “Once Upon a Time ... in Hollywood."

This image released by Netflix shows Michael Potts, from left, Chadwick Boseman and Colman Domingo in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." Boseman was nominated for an NAACP Image Award for outstanding actor in a motion picture for his performance in the film. Boseman was also nominated in the supporting actor in a motion picture for his role in the SPike Lee film "Da 5 Bloods." (David Lee/Netflix via AP)LOS ANGELES – With his final two performances, the late Chadwick Boseman earned two NAACP Image Awards nominations Tuesday, while “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” could make its presence felt at next month’s ceremony. “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” came away with nine nominations.

FILE - Actor Hal Holbrook appears during an interview in his New York apartment on Feb. 8, 1973. Holbrook died on Jan. 23 in Beverly Hills, California, his representative, Steve Rohr, told The Associated Press Tuesday. Holbrook died on Jan. 23 in Beverly Hills, California, his representative, Steve Rohr, told The Associated Press on Tuesday. Holbrook’s material is uproarious, his ability to hold an audience by acting is brilliant,” said The New York Times. AdWhen he wasn’t portraying Twain, Holbrook showed impressive versatility.

(AP Photo/W.A.Harewood, File)LOS ANGELES – Cicely Tyson was a Black actor who knocked down doors so other women of color could walk through them. Tyson strategically selected powerful roles with an intent to elevate how Black actors were perceived. Tyson desired to get away from the negative portrayals of Black women with the hopes of highlighting them with powerful prestige. “Tyson showed the world that the Black woman is more than a moment. He went on to say that Tyson “became a vessel through which all the dignity of who she was as a Black person, a Black woman, could flow.”AdTyson’s fame transcended all media.

Celebrities and fans alike are mourning the loss of Cicely Tyson, the iconic actress who died Thursday at the age of 96. "An artist of the highest order, I will love her forever…"This one cuts deep. King posted a tribute to Tyson on Thursday night, writing, "Thank you Cicely Tyson... for everything…"Thank you Cicely Tyson... for everything... pic.twitter.com/6LslgGYtOx — Gayle King (@GayleKing) January 29, 2021Tyson discussed her difficult adolescence with King. Mr. Obama tweeted his condolences, writing Tyson "had a heart unlike any other ... and left a mark on the world that few will every match." In her extraordinary career, Cicely Tyson was one of the rare award-winning actors whose work on the screen was surpassed only by what she was able to accomplish off of it.

GLAAD also noted that transgender characters were prominently featured in “9-1-1: Lone Star,” “Star Trek: Discovery,” “Saved by the Bell,” “Big Mouth” and “Supergirl.”Award recipients will be announced during a virtual ceremony scheduled for April. AdSeveral categories increased from five to 10 nominees to recognize expanding levels of diverse LGBTQ representation across several media genres. "This year’s nominees remind us that even in times of political and cultural division, diverse LGBTQ representation and visibility can enlighten, entertain, and create lasting change,” said GLAAD President & CEO Sarah Kate Ellis in a statement. AdIn its recent “Where We Are on TV” report, GLAAD found that LGBTQ and gender inclusiveness on television has retreated slightly this season due to delays and shutdowns caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Music artists who earned GLAAD nominations this year include Adam Lambert, Brandy Clark, Halsey, Kehlani, Lady Gaga, Miley Cyrus, Pabllo Vittar, Peppermint, Ricky Martin and Sam Smith.

This image released by CBS shows Queen Latifah in a scene from the series "The Equalizer," premiering after the Super Bowl on Sunday, Feb. 7. Her latest chapter comes in the new CBS series "The Equalizer” as the first Black woman to portray the role in the franchise. The show debuts Feb. 7 in the coveted timeslot following the Super Bowl, typically the year's most-watched program. The post-Super Bowl slot has provided monstrous ratings over the years for shows like "Friends,” “Survivor” and "Undercover Boss.”"I'm so stoked that we’re coming on after the Super Bowl," Latifah said Wednesday on a video call. Latifah added: “Hopefully, they’ll start to say, ‘Damn, Latifah is a badass.'

The film was nominated for seven Independent Film Spirit Awards including one for best feature. The 36th annual Spirit Awards, like most awards shows during the pandemic, are adjusting to the difficult circumstances. Eliza Hittman's “Never Rarely Sometimes Always,” a Pennsylvania's teen's odyssey in getting an abortion, racked up nominations for best feature film, best director and best female lead for Sidney Flanigan. Chloe Zhoe's “Nomadland,” starring Frances McDormand, scored five nods, including best feature, best director and best female lead for McDormand. None of the nominees for best feature film were directed by a white male.

This image released by Netflix shows, from second left, Norm Lewis, Clarke Peters Isiah Whitlock Jr., and Delroy Lindo in a scene from "Da 5 Bloods," named one of the top 10 films of the year by The American Film Institute. (David Lee/Netflix via AP)The American Film Institute on Monday announced its top 10 films of the year, including Pixar’s jazz themed “Soul” and two of Chadwick Boseman’s final films: the August Wilson adaptation “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” and Spike Lee’s Vietnam drama “Da 5 Bloods,” both of which are Netflix films. AFI also selected Warner Bros.’ Black Panther Party film “Judas and the Black Messiah” which will have its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on Feb. 1. The AFI also named its top 10 television shows, including Netflix’s “The Queen’s Gambit,” the Disney+ phenomenon “The Mandalorian” and Apple TV+’s “Ted Lasso.”The selection jury included filmmakers Rian Johnson and Lulu Wang. The group also included a special citation for “Hamilton.”In lieu of the annual luncheon celebrating the honorees, AFI will hold a virtual benediction on Feb. 26 streaming on YouTube and the AFI website.

FILE - In this Dec. 1, 2016 file photo, Larry King arrives at Trump Tower in New York. (AP Photo/Richard Drew, File)Celebrities and interview subjects, from Bill Clinton to Oprah Winfrey, are mourning the death of Larry King. Thank you Larry King," Oprah Winfrey tweeted. Larry King. ___“I mourn the passing of Larry King whom I have known for nearly 40 years.

The film won best feature at the Gotham Awards on Monday, Jan. 11, 2021. Opening the show, Jeffrey Sharp, executive director of the Gotham Film & Media Institute, predicted that there would be “glitches and gremlins” throughout the event. All of the films nominated for best feature were directed by women, including lead-nominee getter “First Cow,” by Kelly Reichardt. Zhao, whose “The Rider” won best feature at the Gothams two years ago, thanked the festivals that, like the Gothams, carried on despite the trying circumstances. Nicole Behaire won best actress for “Miss Juneteenth.” “Oh, my God,” she mouthed while still on mute.

FILE - "60 Minutes" correspondent Lesley Stahl poses for a photo in her office at the "60 Minutes" offices, in New York on Sept. 12, 2017. It's not the first time that's been said about “60 Minutes” since its 1968 debut. After executive producer Bill Owens turned the show primarily over to COVID-19 coverage last spring, “60 Minutes” has returned to its traditional format while being focused on being timely. “60 Minutes” this fall has featured interviews with fired government cybersecurity chief Chris Krebs, former President Barack Obama and poisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny. Original executive producer Don Hewitt often ran “60 Minutes” as an island unto itself.

Following “Fences” and “Ma Rainey,” he intends to continue adapting Wilson’s famed American Century Cycle, a 10-play series spanning each decade of the 20th century. All of Wilson's plays hum with the sorrowful beauty of the blues but “Ma Rainey" is soaked through. On a sweaty, summer day, a band has gathered at a white-owned recording studio to cut a new record with Ma Rainey (Davis), the pioneering “Mother of the Blues,” and an unapologetically liberated woman from the South. It’s Cutler and Slow Drag and Ma Rainey talking," says Wolfe. For Davis, Ma isn't a character she wants to let go of, or stop admiring.

MOVIES— “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom” was always going to be an event picture, even on Netflix, where it will be available Friday. Wilson’s 1982 play is set around a recording session in 1920s Chicago as a blues band awaits the arrival of Ma Rainey (Davis). — AP Film Writer Lindsey BahrMUSIC— Paul McCartney will release the final album in a trilogy of classics on Friday. “McCartney III” comes 40 years after 1980’s “McCartney II” and 50 years after “McCartney,” his solo debut released in 1970. — Director George C. Wolfe said that when he signed on to direct “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” he instantly knew he wanted to work with Branford Marsalis.

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" is a new Netflix film inspired by the true-life story of the blues legend. "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" is the film adaptation of August Wilson's play, one of ten in his "American Century Cycle." In "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," Boseman played a very different role, as a talented and tormented musician. "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" is on just about ever Oscar predictions list - and there are eight other films yet to come. To watch a trailer for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" click on the video player below:For more info:"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" debuts in theatres and on Netflix December 18"Giving Voice," on the August Wilson Monologue Competition (Netflix)Story produced by John D'Amelio.

Bringing "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" to the screen The story of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," about a 1920s blues singer's difficult recording session, is one of talent marred by tragedy. But the film adaptation of August Wilson's play is also one of those occasions when the story behind the scenes is just as compelling – and equally tragic. Correspondent Tracy Smith talked with Oscar-winning actress Viola Davis, Oscar-winner Denzel Washington (the film's producer), and Tony Award-winning director George C. Wolfe about the project, and about working with the late "Black Panther" star Chadwick Boseman, who gave a heartbreaking performance as a trumpet player while secretly battling colon cancer.

(AP Photo)LOS ANGELES – Yes, 2020 may seem like a complete fail with all the constant bad news and tragic moments. It’s been filled with gloom and doom(scrolling), but some celebrities and those inspired by them have tried to brighten a bleak year. He reassigned his 10 seamstresses in New York to produce thousands daily for health care workers on the frontlines. The singer and husband Emilio Estefan's restaurant Estefan Kitchen served up homemade meals for health care workers in Miami. The challenge coordinated offers by celebrities and athletes to raise funds to feed those in need during the pandemic.

"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" is a new Netflix film inspired by the true-life story of the blues legend, with Washington serving as a producer. Denzel Washington, producer of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." Chadwick Boseman, Viola Davis and Colman Domingo in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom." David Lee/Netflix"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" also marks the final film for Boseman, who died last August from colon cancer at the age of 43. To watch a trailer for "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" click on the video player below:For more info:"Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" debuts in theatres and on Netflix December 18The Emmy Award-winning "Sunday Morning" is broadcast on CBS Sundays beginning at 9 a.m.

12/6/2020: Peddling PPE, Secondary Sports, Viola Davis Inside the wild world of PPE sales; Then, some colleges cutting "secondary sports"; And, Viola Davis: The 60 Minutes Interview.

The award-winning actress tells 60 Minutes how a healthy level of self-doubt can be beneficial.

After growing up in poverty, the Academy Award-winning actress said she was not turned off by the challenges of being a working actor.

Viola Davis: The 60 Minutes Interview Viola Davis opens up to Jon Wertheim about her new role as Ma Rainey, her relationship with August Wilson's material, a bold scene on "How to Get Away with Murder" and her life growing up.

She is currently starring as the title character of "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," a film set to stream on Netflix later this month. But no matter how he detailed the difficulties of being a working actor, Davis was unmoved. "The only thing that registered to me was I thought it was awesome to be an actor," Davis said. "Anybody who even wants to be great has that, anybody — any filmmaker, any writer, any actor," Davis said. THE THEMES OF "MA RAINEY'S BLACK BOTTOM"The feeling of fighting to prove herself worthy is a theme in Davis' current role in "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom."

Four months after he died from colon cancer, Chadwick Boseman will light up the silver screen a final time. Viola Davis, who stars in the film's titular role, told 60 Minutes Boseman's performance was "extraordinary." Seven years ago, Boseman wrote about meeting Wilson, a playwright he clearly admired, whose words he called "poetry." According to Davis, this reverence for writing is exactly how Boseman approached his work, marking him as an artist — not simply an entertainer. Audiences can react to Boseman's performance when "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom" begins streaming on Netflix on December 18.

Of the 24 performers who have pulled off the feat, Viola Davis is currently the youngest and the first African American. Viola Davis swivels into the character, a diva with heft, a role she didn't see herself playing at first. Viola Davis: Yes, because I told them that they had to write it for me. Viola Davis: I do that because I think that there's a lot of shame involved with poverty. Viola Davis: We were just watching a great artist absolutely give himself over to a role-- which is what you do.

Viola Davis says she didn't see herself playing Ma Rainey because she felt too young for the role of the seminal blues singer from the 1920s. So, I still saw myself as that 19-year-old girl going, 'I can't play Ma Rainey. The 55-year-old Davis tells Wertheim what she saw in Ma Rainey. The film, "Ma Rainey's Black Bottom," was adapted from the August Wilson play and streams on Netflix later this month. Davis tells Wertheim she worries about the performing arts.

NEW YORK – The University of Pittsburgh has acquired the archive of the late playwright and Pittsburgh native son August Wilson, a trove that contains recordings, letters, artwork, poetry, unpublished work and notebooks. The August Wilson Archive will reside in a state-of-the-art home in Hillman Library’s renovated Archives & Special Collections, the university said Thursday. “This acquisition is about more than bringing August Wilson back home to Pittsburgh,” said Chancellor Patrick Gallagher in a statement. Next up this December is “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” directed by Tony-winner George C. Wolfe and adapted by Ruben Santiago-Hudson. Washington says “The Piano Lesson” is the next Wilson work he hopes to bring to the screen.

Dungey will succeed Peter Roth who will be stepping down from his Studio responsibilities running the TV Group and its operating divisions in early 2021. (Photo by Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP, File)LOS ANGELES – When Zendaya won last month’s Emmy Award for top drama series actress, her triumph seemed to underscore the TV industry’s progress toward inclusivity. That's most notable in Hollywood's executive suites, where little has changed since the UCLA study tallied the numbers five years ago, he said. While they made gains in those and most other on- and off-camera jobs, they remain underrepresented in nearly all. “We've come a long way in that regard” from UCLA's first study of the 2011-12 season, Hunt said.

Breonna Taylor should still be with us and her family deserved justice today. Today’s indictment is outrageous and offensive to Breonna Taylor’s memory, yet another example of no accountability for police. — Ibram X. Kendi (@DrIbram) September 23, 2020AdvertisementMy thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Breonna Taylor today. 1/3 — Stacey Abrams (@staceyabrams) September 23, 2020Brett Hankison is indicted for shooting into the apartment NEXT to Breonna Taylor & not for KILLING HER. Today, no one was truly charged for Breonna Taylor's murder, and her family deserves much better.

After winning the Emmy for best actress in a drama for her role in "How to Get Away with Murder." Viola Davis made a speech addressing the lack of opportunities for black women in Hollywood. Ben Tracy has more.