2008 Oscar Pre-Parties

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Jada Pinkett, Will Smith, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes

Jada Pinkett in Nina Ricci, Will Smith, Tom Cruise, Katie Holmes in Alexander McQueen, 2008 Oscar Pre-Parties

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Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes (in Alexander McQueen) helped honor pal Jada Pinkett (in Nina Ricci) at the first ever Essence Black Women in Hollywood luncheon, held at the Beverly Hills Hotel. But it was Will Smith-Pinkett's proud husband of 10 years-who got to present his leading lady with her award. "It's my deepest honor and pleasure to be your husband, to raise children with you, to try to change the world with you and to stay dedicated and focused with you so that we can leave something in this world," an emotional Smith told his wife from the podium. Jurnee Smollet, Susan Depasse and Ruby Dee were also singled out during the afternoon.

-With reporting by Marshall Heyman, Elizabeth Jenkins, Rochelle Rose and Hayley Underwood

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Drew Barrymore and Justin Long

Drew Barrymore in Gucci, Justin Long, Soho House West Hollywood, 2008 Oscars Pre-Parties

Richard Young/Startraks

The pre-Oscar outpost of swank club Soho House turned into birthday party central as the crowd helped Drew Barrymore (in Gucci) celebrate her 33rd. Guests feasted on fresh lobster, raw oysters and spot prawns while Barrymore accepted well-wishes and showed off her new beau, Justin Long.

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Cameron Diaz

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Barrymore BFF Cameron Diaz made sure to stop by Soho House to wish her friend many happy returns. Diaz hit the dance floor whe the dj cranked up Prince's "When Doves Cry," while revelers sipped Golden Goose cocktails-a potent mix of Grey Goose vodka, cinnamon schnapps and ginger beer.

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Madonna

Richard Young/Startraks

Budding filmmaker Madonna also stopped by the Soho House/Grey Goose pre-Oscar party, where she was in good company along with Matt Dillon and Oscar nominees Javier Bardem and Juno screenwriter Diablo Coty. New couple Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard enjoyed a date night by splitting a platter of manchego, prosciutto and fresh rosemary flatbread.

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Eric Dane

KO/SS/Flynet

McSteamy himself, Eric Dane, was spotted leaving legendary Hollywood producer Robert Evans' poolside pre-Oscar lunch in Beverly Hills. John Stamos and Russell Simmons were also on hand to check out the new line of men's shades Evans has designed for hot Hollywood brand Oliver Peoples.

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Heidi Klum

Jean Baptiste Lacroix/WireImage

Heidi Klum bared all to expose some of her best kept secrets when she stopped by the Victoria's Secret Reveals Hollywood's Red Carpet Secrets event at Hollywood's Roosevelt Hotel. After giving tried and true tips on hair, makeup and best supporting undergarments, Klum talked about the John Galliano couture red gown she'll wear on Oscar night to raise awareness for Diet Coke's Red Dress Campaign.

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Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore

Ashton Kutcher, Demi Moore, Soho House Grey Goose vodka party, 2008 Oscar pre-party circuit

Richard Young/Startraks

Hollywood super-couple Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore set the scene for a star-studded Oscar week when they hit the Grey Goose vodka bash at the temporary location for the soon-to-be-opened VIP-only Soho House club in in Los Angeles.

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Mia Maestro and Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek, 5th annual Global Green pre-Oscar soiree at Avalon, 2008 Oscars Pre-Parties

Michael Buckner/Getty

Pals Salma Hayek and Mia Maestro stopped by Hollywood hot spot Avalon for the 5th annual Global Green pre-Oscar soiree. The lovely Latinas helped the environmental organization raise funds for global warming initiatives and kick-off the Red Carpet/Green Cars campaign, which encourages celebrities to arrive at the Oscars in fuel-efficient vehicles instead of gas-guzzling limousines.

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Jessica Alba

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Mommy-to-be Jessica Alba skipped the Grey Goose cocktails, but put her feet up in the late night lounge at Soho House West Hollywood. The pop-up social club is giving Hollywood insiders a taste of things to come when they open their permanent L.A. location in 2009.

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Sophia Bush

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"I thought they were appropriate for tonight and celebrating the environment," Sophia Bush said of the Rockras natural gemstone earrings she wore to the Global Green party. "It's nice to see the beauty in what's around us." Fellow guest Adrien Grenier (not pictured) chose to make his fashion statement about recycling. "People don’t realize it, but buying vintage is inherently green," the Entourage star said.

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John Mayer

Alex Berliner/BEImages

Grammys may be more John Mayer's game, but that didn't stop the singer from attending billionaire investor Nicolas Berggruen's pre-Oscar party at the legendary Chateau Marmont. Jamie-Lynn Sigler, Paris and Nicky Hilton and designer Max Azria were also on the guest list.

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America Ferrera and Ryan Piers Williams

America Ferrera, Ryan Piers Williams, Soho House and Grey Goose party, 2008 Oscar Pre-Parties

Richard Young/Startraks

No stranger to winning awards for the her role on Ugly Betty, America Ferrera checked out the Oscar scene at Soho House West Hollywood. Ferrera brought longtime boyfriend Ryan Piers Williams along for the festivities.

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Michelle Trachtenberg and Matthew Perry

Michelle Trachtenberg, Matthew Perry, W Magazine's Hollywood Affair pre-Oscar bash at the Sunset Tower Hotel, 2008 Oscar Pre-Parties

Stefanie Kennan/PMc

Stars like Michelle Trachtenberg and Matthew Perry headed to the heart of the Sunset Strip for W Magazine's Hollywood Affair pre-Oscar bash, held at the Sunset Tower Hotel. In addition to the priceless views of the L.A. skyline, the decor was enhanced by mannequins dressed in Vera Wang gowns and display cases filled with baubles from jeweler de Grisogono.

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Jamie-Lynn Sigler

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Jamie-Lynn Sigler giggled with her girlfriends in a banquet across from best friends Michelle Trachtenberg and heiress Lydia Hearst at W Magazine's Hollywood Affair. While guests sipped specialty Lights, Camera, Action! VeeV vodka cocktails and chilled to sounds by DJ Paul Sevigny, a buzz spread around the room that Oscar nominee Javier Bardem was having dinner at the upstairs Tower Bar.

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Casey Affleck

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The Soho House and Grey Goose Vodka bash was the perfect place for low-key Oscar nominee Casey Affleck to mix and mingle out of the glare of the spotlight. Affleck chatted with movie exec Harvey Weinstein (not pictured) before calling it a night.

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Laura Dern, Julianne Moore and Ben Harper

Laura Dern, Julianne Moore, Ben Harper, DIC party at Chateau Marmont, 2008 Oscar Pre-Parties

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Julianne Moore helped the Diamond Information Center host a chic dinner in Bungalow no.1 of the famed Chateau Marmont hotel to celebrate diamonds, designers and Hollywood glamour. Four-time Oscar contender Moore dispensed some good advice to this year's nominees: "Go and have a great time, meet people and have fun. It's a fun celebration-it sounds silly to say that, but that's really what it is," said the actress, who mingled with Laura Dern and Ben Harper.

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Diablo Cody and Ellen Page

Diablo Cody, Ellen Page, Fox Searchlight Pictures party, 2008 Oscar Pre-Parties

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Juno scribe Diablo Cody and Ellen Page enjoyed their moment in the spotlight at the LIVEstyle Entertainment Supper Club at STK LA, when Fox Searchlight Pictures celebrated the films that have earned them 7 Oscar and 11 Independent Spirit Award nominations.

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Kate Beckinsale and Len Wiseman

Kate Beckinsale, Len Wiseman, Los Angeles COnfidential magazine pre-Oscar lunch, 2008 Oscar Pre-Parties

Amy Graves/WireImage

Power couple Kate Beckinsale and husband Len Wiseman celebrated Beckinsale's appearance on the cover of Los Angeles Confidential magazine at a pre-Oscar luncheon at chic eatery Asia De Cuba in the Mondrian Hotel.

Replay gallery

2008 Oscar Pre-Parties

1 of 19

Jada Pinkett, Will Smith, Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes