VIOLA DAVIS

Viola Davis makes discoveries about her family history and grandfather's identity on the latest episode of Finding Your Roots. Here's what she learns.

New DC Studios bosses James Gunn and Peter Safran debuted their plans for a revamped and newly unified DC Universe of films and television series, including a new Superman film in 2025, a Wonder Woman prequel and a Batman movie that won’t star Robert Pattinson.

Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023 | ‘Cunk On Earth' airs on Netflix

Glittering rock ‘n’ roll, women warriors and kings, spellbinding multiverses and stories of friendship and family permeated 2022 cinema and the AP Top 25 Movies list.

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif. — (AP) — In a ballroom filled with stars like Viola Davis, Ben Stiller and Sigourney Weaver, the American Film Institute Awards on Friday paid tribute to Lisa Marie Presley. AFI president Bob Gazzale began the ceremony with a moment of silence for Presley, who died a day earlier after a medical emergency. The invite-only luncheon is honoring the Elvis Presley biopic "Elvis" among its 10 film honorees. Lisa Marie Presley, her father's only child, has been supporting the film throughout its awards season run, attending Tuesday's Golden Globe Awards where star Austin Butler took home a trophy for his portrayal of her father. Gazzale acknowledged a table of “Elvis” film representatives, including director Baz Luhrmann.

The American Film Institute Awards opened its ceremony with a moment of silence for singer-songwriter Lisa Marie Presley.

“Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” has been nominated for 12 NAACP Image Awards, while “The Woman King” and “Abbott Elementary” will enter next month’s ceremony as other top nominees.

The stars were back Tuesday for the Golden Globes’ return to television.

We can't promise everything, but seven writers offer some glimmer of hope that things might get a little better in the year ahead.

The actress sought to clarify a controversial comment she made earlier this week regarding female-led action movies.

Four standing ovations in one night might seem a little over-the-top, even by Hollywood standards, but at the Governors Awards Saturday night, where Michael J.

This week’s new entertainment releases include an live posthumous album from Tom Petty, the criminal profile spinoff series “Criminal Minds: Evolution,” a documentary about the plucky Mars Rover Opportunity and a TV series that focuses on the backstage melodrama at the Chippendale’s male strip clubs.

The “Black Adam” post-credits scene hints at a superhero slugfest by putting together Dwayne Johnson and one of the DC universe’s biggest stars.

After off-screen drama threatened to consume Olivia Wilde’s “Don’t Worry Darling,” the Warner Bros.

The film about female warriors in 1800s West Africa is all too relevant, in 2022, writes Oyeronke Oyebanji: "The inequalities faced by the women in the movie reflect the struggles of women today."

Steven Spielberg’s autobiographical coming-of-age drama “The Fabelmans” won the Toronto International Film Festival’s top prize, the People’s Choice Award, solidifying its early status as Academy Awards frontrunner.

The Viola Davis-led action epic " The Woman Kin g" easily conquered the North American box office in its first weekend in theaters, against a crowded market of new releases. The film, directed by Gina Prince-Bythewood, surpassed expectations and earned $19 million in ticket sales, according to estimates from Sony on Sunday. “The Woman King” was released by Sony and TriStar in 3,765 locations and carries a reported production budget of $50 million, which was co-financed by eOne. The horror movie “Barbarian,” a 20th Century Studios release, took second place in its second weekend with $6.3 million. “See How They Run,” a 1950s-set murder mystery with Saoirse Ronan and Sam Rockwell, is estimating a $3.1 million domestic debut from 2,404 locations.

The Viola Davis-led action epic “The Woman King” easily conquered the North American box office in its first weekend in theaters, against a crowded market of new releases.

Oscar winner Viola Davis tapped into her "warrior spirit" for her role in "The Woman King" — and calls the role the most transformational of her career.

And just as much as “The Woman King” dramatizes the fierce fighting of the Agojie, the film represents its own struggle. “White people have to love ‘The Woman King’ for ‘The Woman King’ to get made — according to Hollywood.”A pivotal moment came when “Black Panther” was released. “We would not have been able to do ‘Woman King’ without ‘Black Panther,’ Davis says. “‘The Woman King’ will be its own blueprint that I hope filmmakers and heads of studios can take as an example,” Lynch says. She has taken to calling “The Woman King” her “magnum opus” because her production company produced it, because she fought so hard for it.

When Viola Davis, sculpted and hardened from months of training, first stood in the full garb of the Agojie warrior women, with her bare feet in the African sand, it was the culmination of not just the years-long push to make “The Woman King,” but of a lifelong battle

When Viola Davis, sculpted and hardened from months of training, first stood in the full garb of the Agojie warrior women, with her bare feet in the African sand, it was the culmination of not just the years-long push to make “The Woman King,” but of a lifelong battle.

But for some, returning to the teeming theaters of Toronto will be as cozy and warm as putting on a cherished cable-knit sweater. In the cacophony of the rapid-fire fall-festival circuit that goes from Venice to Telluride to Toronto, responses from TIFF audiences often speak loudest. Tyler Perry has been to Toronto once before — to help promote another TIFF award-winner, “Precious,” in 2009. And, with some 200 features from 63 countries on tap, TIFF is set to once again be a party. Sidney’s a life that you think you know, because he’s been a part of our lives our whole life, but when you reveal the details of his life, it's give you a new perspective.

When the 47th Toronto International Film Festival unfolds beginning Thursday, it will follow two editions that were much diminished by the pandemic.

A rundown of notable films coming out this fall, which range from Disney+'s “Pinocchio” adaptation to Ana de Armas playing Marilyn Monroe in the Netflix film “Blonde.”.

For the first time in three years, the fall movie industrial complex is lurching back into high gear.

The Martha’s Vineyard African American Film Festival sits enviably at the confluence of Black culture, industry change and a dream vacation. Just ask the Obamas.

Actor Joe Manganiello got some big surprises when researchers for the PBS show “Finding Your Roots” went digging through his family history.

Steven Spielberg is bringing his highly personal film “The Fabelmans” to the Toronto International Film Festival this fall.

Paramount+ flexed the star power of its shows as it prepares to launch in the United Kingdom with a London event attended by Sylvester Stallone, Viola Davis, Kevin Costner, Jessica Chastain and more.

From "The Office BFFs" to the latest from Emily Henry, these are books to take to the beach in 2022.

President Joe Biden took the White House press corps' annual gala as an opportunity to make light of the criticism he has faced in his 15 months in office.

Viola Davis's memoir, "Finding Me," is no Hollywood tell-all.

The show tries to honor three underappreciated political spouses. Instead, it blends their life stories and reduces them all.

Viola Davis' new memoir, "Finding Me" was announced on "CBS Mornings" to be the 95th Oprah's Book Club pick.

NEW YORK — (AP) — Viola Davis' latest honor is not for her acting, but for her writing. The Oscar winner's upcoming memoir, “Finding Me,” is Oprah Winfrey's new book club pick. “After I finished reading the first paragraph, I knew this was a book I wanted to share with the world,” Winfrey said in a statement Thursday. Winfrey and Davis also will speak May 16 for an interactive book club gathering presented by OprahDaily.com, the online hub for Winfrey's book club. A Winfrey spokesperson said that Winfrey is currently in production with Apple on a documentary about the late Sidney Poitier, whose memoir "The Measure of a Man" was a book club pick in 2007.

Viola Davis’ latest honor is not for her acting, but for her writing.

From Bradley Cooper to Steven Spielberg, some of Hollywood’s brightest stars came together to relax and sip wine in a fancy ballroom where everyone ended up walking away a winner at the American Film Institute Awards on Friday.

Before she took a leading role in "The Batman," Zoë Kravitz says she couldn't even get an audition for Christopher Nolan's third Batman movie.

“Alias” actor Jennifer Garner is being celebrated for her star power both on- and off-screen.

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.

Books Viola Davis FILE - In this April 25, 2021 file photo, Viola Davis arrives at the Oscars at Union Station in Los Angeles. Davis is working on a memoir her publisher calls deeply personal and brutally honest. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello, Pool, File) (Chris Pizzello)NEW YORK — (AP) — Oscar winner Viola Davis is working on a memoir that she says will be “straight, no chaser.”HarperOne will release Davis' “Finding Me” on April 19, 2022. Davis traces her rise from growing up in poverty and family violence in Rhode Island to becoming one of the world's most acclaimed actors. “Viola Davis is a powerful truth teller — through her work on stage and screen, as well as in her life,” HarperOne president and publisher Judith Curr said in a statement.

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

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.

"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.

"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.

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.

Warner Bros. Pictures via CNN(CNN) - Director James Gunn has revealed the full list of super villains and anti-heroes cast in his upcoming "The Suicide Squad" movie. While Robbie's Harley Quinn -- deranged henchwoman and on again, off again girlfriend of the Joker -- will be back, the future of the Joker in Gunn's film unclear. Jared Leto, who played the Joker on the 2016 film "Suicide Squad," is off the director's lineup as well as Will Smith who portrayed the deadly accurate assassin Deadshot. Gunn, who previously directed "Guardians of the Galaxy," also wrote the new installment of the comic book villains film. The studio behind "The Suicide Squad," Warner Bros., is, like CNN, a unit of WarnerMedia.

Frazer Harrison/Getty Images(CNN) - Showtime is looking to give viewers a first-person look at some "First Ladies." The premium cable network is developing a one-hour drama from Viola Davis' JuVee Productions that would star the Oscar winner as she plays former first lady Michelle Obama, the network told CNN. "Proud to spotlight these brave, extraordinary women," Davis said on Twitter. Davis will next be seen in the sixth and final season of ABC's "How to Get Away with Murder." The-CNN-Wire & 2019 Cable News Network, Inc., a Time Warner Company.

Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty ImagesABC is closing the case of "How to Get Away with Murder," announcing Thursday that the upcoming sixth season of the Viola Davis-starring legal drama will be its last. Davis plugged the upcoming season on Twitter, and called the show one of "greatest rides" of her life. "Murder," which is executive produced by Nowalk, Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers and Stephen Cragg, became a hit for ABC when it premiered in fall 2014. It helped cement what the network dubbed its "TGIT" lineup, which also included Shondaland produced "Scandal" and "Grey's Anatomy." According to a release provided to CNN, the final season of "Murder" will focus on the class's last semester of law school and premieres Sept. 26.

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.