ELLEN BURSTYN

William Friedkin, the Oscar winning director of two gripping film classics, “The French Connection” and “The Exorcist,” has died.

SAG-AFTRA held its largest and most star-studded rally yet on Tuesday in Times Square.

Oscar winner Louise Fletcher has died at age 88.

That Ellen Burstyn plays a woman who recoils at the very mention of a retirement community in the upcoming film “Queen Bees” is extremely appropriate.

Charles Grodin, the offbeat actor and writer who scored as a newlywed cad in “The Heartbreak Kid” and the father in the “Beethoven” comedies, has died.

(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)Like so much this past year, the inaugural celebration will be like no other: pared down, distanced, much of it virtual. But for actor Christopher Jackson — the original George Washington in Broadway's “Hamilton" — performing in a virtual “ball” is a way of participating in an essential rite of American democracy. Miranda will contribute a classical recitation, joining musicians like Bruce Springsteen, Katy Perry, John Legend, Demi Lovato, Foo Fighters, Justin Timberlake and Bon Jovi. The inaugural committee has made sure to blend this high-powered list with ordinary Americans and inspiring stories. And the “AAPI Inaugural Ball: Breaking Barriers” celebrated the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities with planned participants including actors Kal Penn, John Cho, Kumail Nanjiani and Chloe Bennet.

Movie Reviewer Greg Russell joined Kim DeGiulio for Reel Talk to discuss “Fatale” and “Pieces of a Woman”, starring two multi-award-winning actresses. Greg spoke to Hilary Swank and Michael Ealy about their new film, “Fatale”, which is in theaters and streaming on demand. Greg gave the movie a solid three out of five reels. Greg gave the movie four out of five reels. Watch the video about to see the interviews with Hilary Swank and Ellen Burstyn.

Here’s a collection curated by The Associated Press’ entertainment journalists of what’s arriving on TV, streaming services and music platforms this week. Shia LaBeouf co-stars as her partner and Ellen Burstyn gets a meaty supporting role as her mother. “Pieces of a Woman” is not for the faint of heart but in the trauma, there is catharsis too. It’s loosely based on Davidson’s own life and childhood loss and the comedian gets a co-writing credit, too. It adds to the anticipation of his sophomore album, “Dangerous: The Double Album,” to be released Friday.

NEW YORK – Broadway theaters may be dark, but there will be plenty of new online productions of some of classic plays this fall with some starry self-isolating actors, including Matthew Broderick, Morgan Freeman, Patti LuPone, Laura Linney and David Alan Grier. Producer Jeffrey Richards on Wednesday unveiled a weekly play run of livestreamed works to benefit The Actors Fund. They will stream on Broadway’s Best Shows and ticket buyers can access the events through TodayTix starting at $5. David Mamet’s ”Race" is up on Oct. 29, starring David Alan Grier and Ed O’Neill. Mamet’s “Boston Marriage” is slated for Nov. 12 with Patti LuPone and Rebecca Pidgeon.

BUDAPEST Thousands of students, faculty and supporters of Hungarys University of Theater and Film Arts formed a human chain Sunday between their institution and parliament to protest government steps seen diminishing its autonomy. Students at the University of Theater and Film Arts have barricaded themselves inside the building since Tuesday. Many of the university's top professors have resigned, as has the school's leadership, in wake of the designation of the foundation's board of trustees, led by theater and film director Attila Vidnyanszky. Since 2013, Vidnyanszky has also been the director of Hungary's National Theater. On Saturday, film director Kornel Mundruczo wore a #Free SZFE T-shirt at the Venice Film Festival, where his new film, Pieces of A Woman, starring Vanessa Kirby, Shia LaBeouf and Ellen Burstyn, is in the competition.