Celebrities set to attend SAG Awards

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 27 (UPI) -- Countless celebrities will attend the Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles despite the ongoing writers' strike, it was reported Sunday.

With the Writers Guild of America announcing it would not picket the annual awards event at Shrine Auditorium Sunday night, scores of celebrities are expected at the gala event, People magazine reported.

While other top entertainment awards shows had fallen victim to the writers' strike, SAG officials have remained staunch supporters of the WGA during the employment dispute.

That support not only resulted in an agreement allowing the event to take place with any picketing, but WGA members have agreed to write for the ceremony under a one-time waiver.

Among the celebrities expected to present awards are actors Denzel Washington and Tom Cruise, along with "Gladiator" star Russell Crowe and actress Kate Hudson.

People said the event also will include a tribute to actors who died in the last year, including Heath Ledger, who died last week at his New York apartment.