Imperioli, Burstyn to star in Albom movie

LOS ANGELES, July 16 (UPI) -- Hollywood actors Michael Imperioli and Ellen Burstyn have signed on to star in a small-screen adaptation of Mitch Albom's book, "For One More Day."

Production began last week on the ABC movie, which will air next season under the "Oprah Winfrey Presents" banner, Zap2it.com has reported.

Best-known for his Emmy Award-winning portrayal of doomed mobster Christopher Moltisanti on HBO's "The Sopranos," Imperioli will play a washed-up former baseball player who returns home to commit suicide after his life has spiraled into a cycle of alcoholism and depression.

Before he gets the chance, however, he spends a day with his dead mother (Burstyn,) who shows him how to get his life back on track.

The Oscar-winning Burstyn has starred in "The Exorcist," "Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore" and "Requiem for a Dream."

Albom is adapting his best-selling novel for the telepicture.

It is his third book to be adapted for television and marks a reunion with Winfrey, who produced the Emmy-winning "Tuesdays with Morrie" in 1999.

Lloyd Kramer, who helmed Albom's last TV project, "The Five People You Meet in Heaven," will again direct.