Oscar Excitement Builds In Hollywood

Inside the Kodak Theatre on Hollywood Boulevard, a bevy of activity is going on as the hours tick down to Oscar’s big night on Sunday.

A casually dressed Colin Farrell (in a ripped white T-shirt and vest) and Denzel Washington were at the home of the Academy Awards earlier today, rehearsing their lines as presenters.

Having the stars out in force in Los Angeles has created a buzz in the city. Access Hollywood saw it on display yesterday when we attended the first Essence Black Women In Hollywood luncheon.

“It’s a whole lot of lady packed into this little package,” Will Smith said of his stunning wife Jada, who showed off her sexy back for the event. “I am almost speechless.”

Jada, and this year’s oldest Oscar nominee, 83-year-old Ruby Dee, were honored at the Essence event.

“Being honored by black women means I am doing something right for my sisters,” Jada enthused.

And the event was made even more special for Jada thanks to Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes, who came out to support their friend.

In Alexander McQueen and curly locks, Katie held hands and posed with a purple-vested Tom.

Star Jones showed up to voice her support for Ruby.

“How wonderful is it that Ruby Dee has gotten her first Oscar nomination at some 80 years young,” Star said.

Star attended both Essence’s luncheon and Ebony’s fourth annual pre-Oscar celebration, which was co-hosted by Access Hollywood’s own, Shaun Robinson.

At the Ebony event, two-time Oscar winner Denzel was honored, and once again Ruby was too.

With one of her seven grandkids by her side, she revealed her date for the big day.

“One of them will be with me,” Ruby said.

The heavy presence of stars in LA for Oscars added a major dose of celebrity factor to the “Hollywood Domino” event, which was also held on Thursday night. Demi Moore, Ashton Kutcher, Rumor Willis, Charlize Theron, Stuart Townsend, Kate Beckinsale, Kate Hudson and Salma Hayek all gathered to played dominoes to benefit the Art of Elysium charity.

“Most of the people here are friends of mine,” Salma revealed to Access. “I actually taught all of them how to play dominoes.”

But it was Charlize who won $25,000 for charity.

“It’s great! It’s great,” the former Oscar winner enthused of her dominoes victory.