Oscar luncheon in Beverly Hills
Gathering of nominees draws Will Smith, Leonardo DiCaprio
Feb 6, 2007
There are few events where the star wattage is so powerful and dazzling that it all but cancels out the power of the individual. Awards shows usually fit the bill. And so does the annual Oscar nominees luncheon.
Yesterday at the swank Beverly Hilton, the mood was unusually low-key when stars including Peter O’Toole (Venus), Helen Mirren (The Queen), Leonardo DiCaprio (Blood Diamond, The Departed), and little Abigail Breslin (Little Miss Sunshine) strolled into the hotel.
The most excitement occurred during the annual “class photo” in which a dapper-looking Peter O'Toole schmoozed with Penelope Cruz (Volver), Mirren talked to Breslin, and DiCaprio cheered loudly at the mention of his Blood Diamond co-star Djimon Hounsou's name.
Laura Ziskin, the Oscar’s telecast producer didn’t mince words. She set a piece of paper on fire, and then paraphrased humorist Will Rogers, who said it takes three weeks to write a good off-the-cuff speech. “If you bring paper onstage at the Oscars, you'll be playing with fire.”
This year there were 143 nominees at the luncheon – the highest turnout ever – however, high-profile absentees included Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada), Judi Dench (Notes on a Scandal), Cate Blanchett (Notes on a Scandal), and Ryan Gosling.
Supporting-actor nominee Mark Wahlberg told USA Today that his next project would reteam him with The Departed co-star and fellow Boston native Matt Damon on another Boston-set movie.
“We tried so hard to lose our Boston accents, and then these are just the best roles we get,” Wahlberg said.
Dreamgirls supporting-actress nominee Jennifer Hudson said that even though she was not chosen on the show, she probably would thank American Idol in her speech if she wins because it gave her career such a boost.
Asked about their good luck charms for Academy Award, the nominees didn’t hold back.
“I’m praying,” said Iris Yamashita, screenwriter of Letters From Iwo Jima. “Maybe to Buddha.”
Hounsou told USA Today, “If I have a lucky charm, I’m it.”
