A night to celebrate the global movement for humanity

By JESSICA HERNDON

Days before the Academy Awards celebrates the finest in film, unite4:good honored the success of individuals serving the global movement for humanity, from stars to everyday visionaries.

Hosted by comedian Andy Samberg, the fete, which was also presented by Variety, brought together figures like Robert De Niro, Martin Scorsese and Julia Louis-Dreyfus for the formal dinner and awards gala on the Sony Pictures Studio lot on Thursday evening.

"I would like to thank Variety for coming up with another award because our stiletto heels spend far too many nights during the year in their little silk bags," joked Louis-Dreyfus, poking fun at the frenzy of events that cluttered the weeks leading up to Hollywood's biggest night on March 2.

Louis-Dreyfus received the creative commitment in television award for her work with Heal the Bay, an environmental advocacy non-profit dedicated to making Southern California coasts clean.

Forest Whitaker presented the unity recognition award to Bill Clinton, who gave the evening's keynote address. Clinton joked that he was the warm-up act for Sean Penn, who later presented De Niro with the creative commitment in film award and Clear Channel president John Sykes the media social visionary award.

In his address, Clinton mentioned the positive influence of the late Nelson Mandela and Lebanon's perseverance to support his central point: Unite to survive and thrive.

Steve Coogan, who starred in the Oscar-nominated "Philomena," presented the real Philomena Lee with the everyday hero award.

After receiving his honor, De Niro handed "his partner in crime," Scorsese, the creative conscience award for his work on film preservation through The Film Foundation. "Are you kidding," joked De Niro. "The creative conscience award? Have you not seen 'Wolf of Wall Street?'"

Scorsese said that since his foundation's inception in 1990, around 640 films have been restored and preserved.

For her work as a UNICEF ambassador, singer Selena Gomez was awarded the young humanitarian award. She lauded fellow do-gooder, Demi Lovato, who received the evening's young luminary honor, saying, "I am so thankful for you for inspiring me every day. We're here at 21 years old using our voice to help this generation, though sometimes I feel like we're the only ones holding down the fort."

Both Lovato and music visionary recipient, Alicia Keys, performed at the affair. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., William H. Macy, Jada Pinkett Smith, Eva Longoria and Wilmer Valderrama were presenters.

10 things you may not know about the Oscars

You may watch the Academy Awards every year, but that doesn't make you an expert! Here are a few facts to boost your Oscar knowledge and impress your viewing party pals:

1.) During the metal shortage of WWII, the Oscar statues were made of plaster

2.) Winners are not allowed to sell their award...unless they sell it back to the Academy for $1

3.) Seat-fillers get paid $125 to make the theater look filled to capacity

4.) The Hurt Locker is the lowest grossing film to win Best Picture

5.) Bob Hope hosted the award ceremony 18 times

6.) Billy Crystal has hosted 9 times

7.) The only tie for Best Actress happened in 1968 between Barbra Streisand and Katharine Hepburn

8.) Marlon Brando refused his 1973 Oscar for Best Actor

9.) There has only been one Oscar winner actually named 'Oscar'

10.) William Holden and Alfred Hitchcock hold the records for shortest acceptance speech

George Lopez arrested after bender at Canadian casino

WINDSOR, Ontario (AP) - A Canada casino says a performance by U.S. comic George Lopez will go on as scheduled Friday after he was arrested for alleged public intoxication.

Ceasars Windsor spokeswoman Jhoan Baluyot says the show is continuing as planned.

Provincial police say officers stationed at the casino in Ontario arrested Lopez for allegedly being intoxicated in a public place, then turned him over to local police. Windsor police say only that a man was arrested at the casino but later released with no charges laid.

Lopez says in a statement via his publicist, Ina Treciokas: "Tied one on last night. Not feeling great this morning. I was trying to sleep it off, unfortunately, it was on the casino floor."