Following is a summary of entertainment news briefs compiled from stories that have run separately and are available in full on the file.
Heath Ledger found dead in New York
NEW YORK (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. The Australian-born Ledger, 28, was found face down and naked at the foot of the bed by a housekeeper at his apartment in the SoHo neighborhood, police spokesman Paul Browne said.
Hollywood writers strike clouds Oscars
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - In the 80 years since the first Oscars were handed out, it has taken a war or a flood or an assassination to drastically alter or delay the celebration surrounding the film industry's highest honors. Now Hollywood is wringing its hands over whether the 11-week-old strike by screenwriters against the major studios could, or should, be enough to postpone the Academy Awards this year.
Britney Spears begins to show for custody hearings
LOS ANGELES (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. The 26 year-old singer, who was barred from seeing her sons earlier this month after refusing to return them to Federline's representatives after a weekend visit, turned up on Monday to give a deposition to her Federline's lawyer, Mark Vincent Kaplan.
Striking writers, studios head for renewed talks
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Striking Hollywood writers will meet face to face with studio executives this week for the first time since their contract talks collapsed on December 7, the two sides said on Tuesday. The Writers Guild of America and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers will open "informal discussions" on Wednesday to "determine if there is a basis for both parties to return to formal negotiation
