Will Ferrell and his wife Viveca Paulin-Ferrell posed together in the garden at the Hammer's 11th annual Gala in the Garden fundraiser, which raised $2 million for the museum. Ferrell — stepping in for event co-chair Tom Hanks, who couldn't attend — went on stage with Hank's wife and gala co-chair Rita Wilson to give the opening remarks. "Thank you all for coming. I'm Tom Hanks," said the actor, who then planted a kiss on Wilson.
Jena Malone, left, and director Liz Goldwyn, in Bottega Veneta, together at the museum. Its current shows spotlight the works of artists James Welling, Forrest Bess and Mark Leckey.
Hammer Museum director Ann Philbin (wearing a Bottega Veneta dress) posed with honorees Tony Kushner, left, screenwriter of Lincoln, and sculptor Robert Gober. "It's so nice to fly to L.A. for an award I'm 100 percent certain I'm going to win," Kushner said, before paying tribute to the Hammer for its collections "which are so rich, so surprising, so dazzingly varied."
Viola Davis, far left, and her husband Julius Tennon, far right, with honoree Tony Kushner and event co-chair Rita Wilson. Davis introduced Kushner, but before doing so, took off her Bottega Venetta shoes and placed them on the podium. "Beautiful shoes, beautiful designer, but I have a bunion," she said.
Leonard Nimoy and wife Susan Bay Nimoy, who sits on the Hammer's board of overseers, were among the attendees, who also included producer Lawrence Bender, Simpsons creator Matt Groening, China Chow, writer and producer Maria Bell, DreamWorks Animations' Bill Damaschke and business manager John McIlwee.
Fringe alum Joshua Jackson and longtime girlfriend Diane Kruger, in a satin off-the-shoulders Jonathan Saunders dress, at the gala.
Body of Proof's Dana Delany on the main staircase at the Hammer in front of a mural by Maya Hayuk.
Event co-chair Tomas Maier, the creative director of gala sponsor Bottega Veneta, with Jodie Foster.
Rita Wilson, who co-chaired the evening, with singer k.d. lang, who performed her signature rendition of "Hallelujah."
Maria Bello posed with Dana Delany.
Ferrell and Wilson bantered at the podium during their opening remarks. Ferrell joked he'd been reprimanded for touching artwork and then he plugged "his" new movie: "Go see my next film, Captain Phillips, out Oct. 11" referring to the big fall release starring Hanks, for whom he was filling in.
Davis introduced award recipient Kushner who she's known since her days at Juilliard School.
Singer k.d. lang also performed songs by Cole Porter and Patsy Cline.
Producer Lawrence Bender attended with Michelle Box.
Hammer director Ann Philbin — who announced that the museum would no longer charge for admission beginning in February — flanked by Jodie Foster and photographer Alexandra Hedison.