She shocked Hollywood by clinching the second Oscar of her career earlier this month.
And reigning Best Actress winner Renee Zellweger lit up the evening on Thursday, when she led the star-studded guest list at the Women’s Cancer Research Fund’s An Unforgettable Evening benefit gala at the Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California.
The Judy star, 50, was elegant and sexy in a sheer-topped black gown, which featured a scalloped neck and beautiful lace detailing at the bust and along the sleeves for the event where she was honored with the Courage Award, in a nod to her charitable contributions and philanthropic efforts throughout her lengthy career .
Reigning queen: Renee Zellweger lit up the evening on Thursday, at the Women’s Cancer Research Fund’s An Unforgettable Evening benefit gala in Beverly Hills
Renee’s gown had a lovely double-slit skirt that allowed her shapely legs to peek through, and she wore black pumps to boost her famously diminutive height.
The actress kept her hair-styling and make-up low-key, with a touch of pink lipstick and a low ponytail. She also chose to skip most jewelry options, save for an enormously chunky bejeweled ring on her right index finger.
Reneé has worked on and hosted a number of fundraising events over the years in support of her friend and publicist Nanci Ryder, who was diagnosed with breast cancer and ALS
Another pair of famous blondes also attended the benefit event, in support of the early diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of women’s cancers: the Hilton sisters, as in Paris and Nicky.
Striking a pose: Renee’s gown had a lovely high double-slit skirt that allowed her shapely legs to peek through, and she wore black pumps on her feet
Accepting an honor: Zellweger was honored at the gala with the Courage Award, and she took the stage after Wilson to say a few words
Both of the hotel heiresses chose brightly-colored frocks for the soiree, with a newly short-haired Paris in a cream sequinned turtleneck mini dress with long sleeves, and her younger sister Nicky in a strapless floral black-and-white wrap number.
Paris added matching glittering stilettos, while Nicky opted for flesh-colored pumps.
Model (and Mrs. Matthew McConaughey) Camila Alves also opted for sequins, but of the burgundy variety on a sumptuous, flowing and very low-cut gown.
Sisters: Another pair of famous blonds also attended the benefit event: the Hilton sisters, as in Paris and Nicky
Best looks: Both of the hotel heiresses chose brightly-colored frocks, with a newly short-haired Paris in a cream sequinned turtleneck mini dress with long sleeves, and Nicky in a sweet strapless floral black-and-white wrap number
Strutting their stuff: The blonde beauties were lighting up the show
Brazilian bombshell: Model (and Mrs. Matthew McConaughey) Camila Alves also opted for sequins, but of the burgundy variety on a sumptuous, flowing and very low-cut gown
Camila’s plunging bust line was adorned with a barely-there sheer panel, and she affixed a lovely flower behind her ear that stood out against her lush dark curls.
Representing the Real Housewives contingent at the Beverly Hills event was RHBH star Lisa Rinna, who attended with her husband Harry Hamlin.
The pair cut formal figures in black tuxedos, with Lisa skipping a top in her daringly low-cut lapelled jacket.
Plunging: Camila’s plunging bust line was adorned with a barely-there sheer panel, and she affixed a lovely flower behind her ear that stood out against her lush dark curls
A couple of suits: Representing the Real Housewives contingent at the Beverly Hills event was RHBH star Lisa Rinna, who attended with her husband Harry Hamlin
Her co-star Kyle Richards also attended, in a one-shouldered black midi dress with a shoulder flourish.
Accompanied by her husband of 24 years Mauricio Umansky, Kyle completed her look with a snakeskin clutch and red pumps.
Fresh off their Happiness Begins world tour, the Jonas Brothers made quite an impression at the charity event, in satin looks of various colors.
Nick was in a dusty pink satin suit worn over a white tee, which he complemented with a brighter pink scarf, while his brother Kevin opted for a chocolate brown suit and matching turtleneck.
She’s going to be in the next Halloween: Lisa’s costar Kyle Richards also attended, in a one-shouldered black midi dress with a shoulder flourish
Four’s company: Accompanied by her husband of 24 years Mauricio Umansky, Kyle posed with Lisa and Harry
Shiny boys: Fresh off their Happiness Begins world tour, the Jonas Brothers made quite an impression at the charity event, in satin looks of various colors
Joe went for a more casual look with a wine-colored satin track jacket, burgundy turtleneck, and deep purple satin slacks.
Another gala attendee bringing serious color was actress Cara Santana, in a bright yellow one-shouldered frock with a very high thigh slit.
Holding her own in red was stylist Rachel Zoe, in a flowing silky long-sleeved dress paired with gold statement necklace and clutch.
Standing out: Another gala attendee bringing serious color was actress Cara Santana, in a bright yellow one-shouldered frock with a very high thigh slit
Holding her own: Stylist Rachel Zoe was in a red flowing silky long-sleeved dress paired with gold statement necklace and clutch
Newly engaged couple — actress Maria Bello and chef Dominique Crenn — coordinated in jacketed black and white outfits, and they couldn’t contain their gleeful love for one another, kissing sweetly for the cameras.
Other guests included sportscaster Mike Hill and model Cynthia Bailey, who wowed in a floor-length black mermaid gown adorned with a giant diamond-encrusted bow at the chest.
Actresses Danielle Lauder and Elizabeth Chambers were also there, with Danielle in a strapless navy jumpsuit with embroidered chest panel, and Elizabeth in a belted two-tone cream silk outfit.
Smiling and in love: Newly engaged couple — actress Maria Bello and chef Dominique Crenn — coordinated in jacketed black and white outfits
Romance: They couldn’t contain their gleeful love for one another, kissing sweetly for the cameras
Other guests included: Sportscaster Mike Hill escorted model Cynthia Bailey, who wowed in a floor-length black mermaid gown adorned with a giant diamond-encrusted bow at the chest
Tom Hanks’s better half Rita Wilson looked lovely in an LBD, and sparkly-tipped sheer pumps.
Rita took the opportunity to pose with the Jonas boys at the event’s step-and-repeat.
The Hangover’s Ken Jeong arrived in an understated blue suit to host the evening event, and he was accompanied by his wife Tran in a gorgeous silky salmon gown that flowed down to the floor.
Honorary chair: Tom Hanks’s better half Rita Wilson looked lovely in an LBD, and sparkly-tipped sheer pumps
On the pink carpet: Rita took the opportunity to pose with the Jonas boys at the event’s step-and-repeat
And now your host: The Hangover’s Ken Jeong arrived in an understated blue suit to host the evening event, and he was accompanied by his wife Tran in a gorgeous silky salmon gown that flowed down to the floor
Fashion designer Tom Ford cut a classic figure in a black suit, as did comedic actor Martin Short with a striped necktie.
Inside the event, Renee posed with Katie Couric, who wore a lovely floral dress paired with a leather jacket.
Zellweger was honored at the gala with the Courage Award, and she took the stage after Honorary Chair Wilson to say a few words.
Style to spare: Fashion designer Tom Ford cut a classic figure in a black suit while actor Martin Short also donned a black suit, with a striped necktie
The evening’s chairs: (left to right) Kate Capshaw, Kelly Chapman Meyer, Jamie Tisch, Wilson, Myra Biblowit, Quinn Ezralow, and Marion Laurie posed for photos as representatives for the gala
Inside the event: Renee posed with Katie Couric, who wore a lovely floral dress paired with a leather jacket
Ladies of the evening: Women’s Cancer Research co-founder Laurie, honorary chairs Wilson and Capshaw, and WCRF co-founder Chapman Meyer posed for a portrait inside the venue as well