AP - Heath Ledger, the talented 28-year-old actor who gravitated toward dark, brooding roles that defied his leading-man looks, was found dead Tuesday in a Manhattan apartment, facedown at the foot of his bed with prescription sleeping pills nearby, police said.

More: continued here

AP - Bringing a measure of optimism to the bleak Hollywood writers strike saga, the union said Tuesday it would start informal talks with studios, drop some contract demands and give a picket-free blessing to the Grammy Awards.

More: continued here

AP - Charlie Sheen and his ex-wife, Denise Richards, were in Los Angeles family court Tuesday. Commissioner Harvey A. Silberman took the proceedings behind closed doors before there was any discussion about the reason for the hearing. Sheen arrived with his lawyer while Richards’ attorney participated by telephone.

More: continued here

Reuters - Troubled pop star Britney Spears has begun showing up for custody hearings to regain access to her two children with ex-husband Kevin Federline, according to media reports on Tuesday.

More: continued here

Environmentalist Prince Charles attends energy summit as a carbonless hologram.

More: continued here

AP - Ten actors, like Heath Ledger, who died in their 20s:

More: continued here

AP - A video of Amy Winehouse shows the Grammy-nominated singer smoking … something. In grainy footage obtained by British tabloid The Sun, Winehouse, 24, is seen inhaling fumes from some sort of pipe reportedly hours before showing up for husband Blake Fielder-Civil’s court appearance in London on Friday.

More: continued here

Reuters - Actor Heath Ledger, the gifted leading man acclaimed for his role as a gay cowboy in the film “Brokeback Mountain,” was found dead in his Manhattan apartment on Tuesday, possibly of a drug overdose, police said.

More: continued here

AP - Ringo Starr is known for being the amiable Beatle, but the rock star showed his tough side Tuesday when he walked off the set of “Live With Regis and Kelly” rather than cut short one of his songs.

More: continued here

Striking Hollywood writers say they’ll picket the Academy Awards on Feb. 24, but the Academy says the show must go on. AP correspondent Steve Fluty recaps where things stand. (Jan. 22)

More: continued here