Award Show 2007

Feb. 23, 2007 | 04:00 PM EST

Caught in the Act: The Pre-Oscar Parties!

Peter O'Toole and Ben Affleck Photo by: Robert C. Mora / WireImage

• Ben Affleck, getting numerous kisses on the cheek from wife Jennifer Garner as he held court at the Miramax Films pre-Oscar party. At one point, nominee Peter O'Toole (up for Venus) playfully grabbed Affleck's earlobe and they shared a warm bear hug at the bash at the Sunset Tower Hotel in West Hollywood. (The two costarred in the 1998 thriller Phantoms.) Affleck told us he and Garner are planning on staying in L.A. for a while. "We're definitely here, yeah," he said. And as for a possible Baby No. 2 to join 14-month-old daughter Violet? "We'll let you know!" Also hobnobbing: the queen herself, Helen Mirren, who said her awards-show ritual is to "get lots of sleep – and make sure you have your family around you," and Julian McMahon, who was in charmer mode and flirted with all the ladies around him.

• Kevin Connolly, leading a real-life entourage of Leonardo DiCaprio and Djimon Hounsou to the Vanity Fair Amped bash at Boulevard 3 in Hollywood. After missing Macy Gray's performance, they went straight to the bar, then to the VIP area, and finally to the upstairs smoking gallery. The posse also hit the Chateau Marmont – albeit briefly. They walked in, checked out the scene and walked right back out.

• Black Eyed Peas star Will.I.Am., saying at the Vanity Fair party that he's making "timeless" songs with Michael Jackson. A solo Bobby Brown showed up to support pal Macy Gray and told us that he and estranged wife Whitney Houston have remained friends. "I'm really looking forward to her doing her thing, and me doing my thing," he told us. "And that's raising a child. It's beautiful."

• Jennifer Hudson, hosting a private pre-Oscar luncheon with pals including Vogue editor Andre Leon Talley (who helped her pick out her Academy Awards dress) at the Soho House L.A.

Halle Berry and her mother Judith Photo by: Vince Flores / Celebrity Photo

• Kirsten Dunst, having cocktails with a friend at the Chateau Marmont – which was packed in pre-Oscar mode. Benjamin McKenzie paced the lobby of the hotel, Josh Hartnett smoked a cigarette in the outside valet area while Emmy Rossum feasted on roasted chicken with mashed potatoes and broccolini at a private dinner with Angie Harmon and Karolina Kurkova.

• Oscar winner Halle Berry, bringing her mom as her date to Ebony magazine's pre-Oscar bash at Jim Henson Studios in Hollywood. Berry is rooting for Forest Whitaker to win the Best Actor trophy – and had sage words for his acceptance speech. "Keep it short and sweet. I obviously didn't do that, so I'm not the best person to give advice. I was a wreck." Also at the bash were Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige and Chris Tucker, who snuck in late (sans rumored girlfriend India.Arie.)

• By JENNIFER GARCIA, SCOTT HUVER, AMY ELISA KEITH and NICHOLAS WHITE

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