Just for Show: Stars stick to the script as ShoWest wraps

Kirk Baird

Friday, March 7, 2003 | 9:32 a.m.

2003 ShoWest Award recipients:

Female Star of the Year: Diane Lane.

Male Star of the Year: Adam Sandler.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Brian Grazer.

Supporting Actress of the Year: Catherine Zeta-Jones.

Supporting Actor of the Year: Christopher Walken.

Director of the Year: Sam Mendes.

Male Star of Tomorrow: LL Cool J.

Female Star of Tomorrow: Alison Lohman.

Animation Director of the Year: Chris Wedge.

Producer of the Year: David Heyman.

Screenwriter of the Year: Antwone Fisher.

When it comes to opinions on a possible war with Iraq, celebrities at the annual ShoWest Awards banquet were very clear.

"No."

As in, "No comment."

No matter how often the question was asked about President Bush's prime-time news conference addressing the growing likelihood of war, Hollywood's glitterati avoided an answer as if it were Mariah Carey's next film project.

On hand to receive the Supporting Actor of the Year Award, Christopher Walken, when asked by a reporter if he had an opinion on the Iraq situation, said simply: "Yes I do. But I won't tell you."

Actor Gary Oldman, who was at ShoWest as a presenter, also declined to give his take on the mounting international crisis, offering only a curt, "No."

Diane Lane and Alison Lohman, recipients of the Female Star of the Year and Female Star of Tomorrow, respectively, both contemplated answering the question but ultimately wouldn't comment.

And LL Cool J, aka James Todd Smith, named Male Star of Tomorrow, said he needed more information before passing judgment.

"I believe in peace and love," the rapper-turned-actor said . "But I believe we have to protect America first."

It was the host of the awards show, Jamie Kennedy, who perhaps provided the most humorous answer however unintentionally.

Best known for his "Candid Camera"-like "The Jamie Kennedy Experiment" airing Thursdays on the WB, Kennedy was obviously uncomfortable with taking a political stance in front of a pack of reporters and TV cameras.

"I just want peace," he said. "I don't know too much about politics. I'm stupid." Despite the increasingly bleak outcome to the political grandstanding, everything was rosy backstage at the banquet.

Each winner seemed delighted to receive an award as voted on by those outside of the Hollywood bubble theater owners across the United States.

Previous winners include Sandra Bullock, Brad Pitt, Nicolas Cage, James Cameron, Julia Roberts, Robin Williams, Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks.

"It's wonderful. And very unexpected," said Walken of his win as the Willy Lowman-like dad in "Catch Me If You Can."

"It's from the people in the business. It's from the people who put the seats there."

Founded by the National Association of Theatre Owners of California and Nevada, ShoWest is the largest film-industry convention in the world.

Now in its 29th year, more than 5,000 members of the movie industry from around the world were expected to attend the expo, which took place at Bally's and Paris Las Vegas. The four-day event concluded Thursday night with the awards banquet at Paris.

Producer Brian Grazer recalled the early days of Sho- West, when he was urged by studio heads to screen his first film, "Splash," in 1984.

The comedy went on to become a box-office hit, and was the career launching point for both its star, Tom Hanks, and director, Ron Howard.

Nearly 20 years later Grazer was at ShoWest to receive the Lifetime Achievement Award for such films as "Apollo 13," "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "8 Mile" and last year's Oscar winner for Best Picture, "A Beautiful Mind."

"I'm thrilled the theater owners gave me the award. Of any body of people, they truly matter most," he said.

When asked if he was too young at age 51 to receive a lifetime award, Grazer laughed.

"Chronologically? Yeah, I guess I am," he said. "But I have a lot of energy."

Other ShoWest 2003 winners included Adam Sandler for Male Star of the Year, Antwone Fisher for Screenwriter of the Year, David Heyman for Producer of the Year and Sam Mendes for Director of the Year.

Catherine Zeta-Jones, winner of Supporting Actress of the Year for her work in "Chicago," was also in attendance, along with the musical's director, Rob Marshall, who presentedJones her award.

Just six weeks shy of the due date of her and husband Michael Douglas' second child, Jones kidded about avoiding an early delivery since she still has the Oscars to attend on March 23.

"So far, so good," she said.

The former singer-dancer also put to rest persistent rumors that she would be performing on a Las Vegas stage in the near future, saying the gossip was the result of some comments she made in an interview, which were later taken out of context.

Still, Zeta-Jones is not ruling out a gig on the Strip entirely.

"I'm fascinated by Vegas shows. They're wonderful," she said. "I'd like to partake at some point in my life, but nothing's imminent."