They came to accept their diplomas and posed for the class photo Monday. Not the senior class of Beverly Hills High School, but the Academy Awards nominees, class of 2001.
The 21st annual nominees luncheon at the Beverly Hills Hilton Hotel drew 150 contenders who left their tables to stand on ramps and smiled for the photo.
Each was called to a stage and presented certificates of nomination from Academy President Frank Pierson. Honorary sweat shirts were handed out offstage.
Sidney Poitier, nominated for an honorary Oscar, was greeted with an unprecedented standing ovation.
Pierson addressed the nominees with the Academy credo that nominees are winners automatically. He cited the experience of Peter O'Toole and Richard Burton, who were both nominated seven times as best actor, but never received the Oscar.
Pierson added, "Who here would not like to have seven nominations?"
The Academy tradition of the luncheon has two apparent purposes: to honor the nominees; and to create more publicity for the March 24 awards telecast. Nominees gave brief interviews to reporters before the luncheon.
Sissy Spacek, nominated as best actress for In the Bedroom, followed the tradition of commenting about her co-nominees: "It would be an honor to lose to any of them ... a nomination makes you feel like a winner."
Russell Crowe, nominated for best actor for A Beautiful Mind, arrived with two bodyguards but was at his usual down-to-Earth self with the reporters. Despite his iconoclastic image, he said he took the nominations seriously and appreciated the compliment of being nominated.
Helen Mirren, nominated for best supporting actress in Gosford Park, remarked that she was surprised she received a mention: "I didn't think I had a chance in hell."
Halle Berry, nominated as best actress in Monster's Ball, and a winner Sunday night at the Screen Actors Guild awards, commented "I never think I'm going to win."
The luncheon attracted a record attendance of the acting and directing awards. All five of the directing nominees were present as well as 15 of the nominated actors.
© 2002 Associated Press