Chanel and Charles Finch Host Star-Studded Pre-Oscars Dinner at Polo Lounge
For more than three decades, Charles Finch has hosted a private dinner on the eve of the Academy Awards. The gathering began as an informal reunion for friends flying into town. It later evolved into a star-studded Pre-Oscars event at the Polo Lounge.
Origins and evolution
Finch is a producer and a former head of WMA’s European motion picture division. He is also the son of actor Peter Finch, who won a posthumous acting Oscar.
He told the Los Angeles Times in 2020 that the dinner began simply to see friends. Early guests included names such as Al Pacino and Bill Murray. A run-in with restaurateur Michael Chow prompted a change. After a chaotic night at Mr. Chow’s, Finch was told to either pay or find another venue.
Chanel joined as cohost in 2009. The dinner was long held at Madeo in West Hollywood. Organizers moved the event to the Polo Lounge in 2019. The fashion house’s involvement brought a red carpet and a larger guest list.
Atmosphere and format
Finch keeps the tone deliberately relaxed. He greets each attendee personally upon arrival. White-jacket waiters circulate with trays of tuna tartare, margaritas, and pigs in a blanket.
The gathering mixes industry veterans and younger talent. It blends fashion, family, and casual conversation in one room.
Notable guests
- Minnie Driver
- Jessie Buckley
- Sigourney Weaver, noted for her trench coat
- Meg Ryan
- Nicole Kidman, attended with daughters Faith Margaret and Sunday Rose
- Judd Apatow and Leslie Mann, with daughter Maude
- J.J. Abrams and daughter Gracie Abrams
- Paul Anthony Kelly, who arrived with his mother
- Sarah Pidgeon, a Chanel ambassador, in a pale mint embroidered silk dress (Look 25 from the Chanel Métiers d’Art collection)
- Lauren Santo Domingo, observed smoking in black
- Teyana Taylor, who arrived late in a multicolored Blazy fall 2026 coat and sunglasses
Memorable moments
At 8:30 p.m. on the night in question, Finch offered a short welcome toast. He then announced that dinner was served. A minute or two later, Teyana Taylor arrived, embodying a fashionably late entrance.
On one occasion, Paul Anthony Kelly introduced his mother to a photographer after a brief collision in the crowd. Small, friendly interactions like this punctuate the evening.
Why it endures
The dinner remains popular because it balances celebrity glamour and intimacy. Chanel’s partnership added a high-fashion element. Finch’s personal touch keeps the event grounded.
Filmogaz.com reports that the gathering continues to be a fixture of awards season. It is now widely known as a star-filled prelude to the Academy Awards.
