Photos of Charlize Theron, Sandra Bullock, Bradley Cooper, Zachary Quinto, Hillary Swank at 2009 Hollywood Awards

by Molly 15

The red carpet was brimming with beautiful stars in LA last night at the Hollywood Awards Gala, which is referred to as the first stop of award season. Charlize Theron was fresh off her trip to SF and looking hot, while Kate Beckinsale was also sexy in black. Diane Kruger held down the angelic side in white, and newlywed Zooey Deschanel stuck with her standard cute look. Hilary Swank posed after her Amelia had a disappointing opening weekend, though she took home the Best Hollywood Actress statue for her work in the film.

Inside the event, Sandra Bullock, Morgan Freeman and Zachary Quinto entertained the crowd from onstage. Julianne Moore had a big night, taking home Best Supporting Actress honors for her work in Tom Ford's directorial debut, A Single Man, and Bradley Cooper won the Hollywood Comedy Award. It was just three short years ago that Lindsay Lohan won the breakout actress award at the show, which finishes up the Hollywood Film Festival — pretty interesting. This year, though, the accolade went to Carey Mulligan for her work in An Education. With the announcement of Ricky Gervais as the host of the Golden Globes, award season is underway and we're starting to get a look at whose names will be gracing the nominees' lists.

LOTS more photos of the Hollywood Awards Gala so read more.

Images include: Charlize Theron, Hilary Swank, Kate Beckinsale, Julianne Moore, Diane Kruger, Bradley Cooper, Zooey Deschanel, Zachary Quinto, AnnaLynne McCord, Shannon Doherty, Carey Mulligan, Len Wiseman, Sandra Bullock, Michelle Monaghan