Hollywood royalty tapped by Will & Kate for BAFTA gala

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Tom Hanks is among the Hollywood A-listers invited to a royal gala Saturday in L.A. | John J. Kim~Sun-Times

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Updated: July 8, 2011 2:17AM

The guests at the big gala BAFTA bash Saturday in Hollywood featuring those royal media darlings Prince William and his wife, Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, should feel even more privileged than usual.

Turns out the newlyweds personally vetted the guest list for the party at the Belasco Theatre and made sure some of their favorite actors and actresses were included.

While the gala benefits the British Academy of Film and Television Arts — the organization chaired by Prince William that hands out the U.K.’s version of our Oscars and Emmys — it’s interesting how many non-Brits will be on hand.

Leading the list is Tom Hanks, already a big royal favorite — even before he “absolutely charmed” Queen Elizabeth II, William and Catherine at the dinner last month for President Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle, in London, a royal source told me.

Catherine is a big Barbra Streisand fan — a lover both of her music and films. So, natch, that guaranteed an invite for her and hubby James Brolin.

Also reportedly making the cut for what has turned out to be the hottest invitation in recent Hollywood memory are Nicole Kidman; Jennifer Lopez and Marc Anthony; Kristin Chenoweth; Ginnifer Goodwin; Dana Delany; director Judd Apatow (the royal couple love his comedies); Paul Rudd; Jason Reitman, and Ryan Reynolds.

† Ironically, David Beckham, who supposedly planted the seed for adding L.A. to William and Kate’s North American trip, won’t be able to attend. He has a pro soccer match on his schedule — and reportedly couldn’t get out of it.

KING HITS TOWN: The one and only Larry King will zoom into town Aug. 19 to throw out the first pitch at Wrigley Field, sing for the seventh-inning stretch, hang out with the Cubs-owning Ricketts family and be feted by longtime pal Sugar Rautbord at a book party for the veteran CNN chatfest champ’s latest — Truth Be Told. His memoir is full of tidbits about King’s fave interviews over the years.

† On the South Side of town, popular comedian and Chicago native Hannibal Buress will throw out the first pitch at the Sunday game between the Sox and the Twins. Buress is back in town for a special gig at Zanies on Wells — 16 shows, running through Sunday — plus Wednesday through July 17.

CALLING ALL MUGGLES: Show up dressed as your favorite “Harry Potter” character at the Wilmette Summerfest’s Kids Area between noon and 3 p.m. Saturday and you might win tickets to the pre-opening screening Monday of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2,” the final film in the mega-hit franchise opening July 15.

STAR POWER: Tabu, one of India’s most popular actresses, best known here for “The Namesake” and currently filming “Life of Pi” with Tobey Maguire, will be here Sunday and Monday as part of the Eye on India Festival. Tabu will speak at 3 p.m. Sunday at the Art Institute’s Fullerton Hall and host a free screening of her award-winning “Chandni Bar” at 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Chicago Cultural Center.

STREET SMART: Kudos to Russ Tutterow, Chicago Dramatists’ artistic director for the past quarter-century — toasted for his innumerable contributions to the city’s theater scene with an honorary street name on May Street — between Ogden and Chicago, near his theater’s home. Ald. Walter Burnett (27th) will preside over the festivities at 10 a.m. July 23.

TUNE IN: The legions of Lil Jon’s fans are sure to show when the hip-hop artist and “Celebrity Apprentice” star appears Saturday at the Chicago Sport and Social Club’s “Volleywood Beach Bash” at North Avenue Beach.

† Music icon Gene Chan­dler (“Duke of Earl”) will join Bob Sirott and Marianne Murciano at 9 p.m. Sunday on WGN-AM’s “Sunday Night Radio Special” to discuss the Englewood High School alum’s long career.

† Former “American Idol” contestant Chris Medina was given a specially outfitted van by the BraunAbility Corp. back in March, when execs of a wheelchair-accessible-vans firm heard about the plight of Medina’s fiancee, who was brain-injured in a car crash. Now Medina is giving back — speaking with visitors at the Chicago Abilities Expo this weekend — appearing from noon to 3 p.m. today and Saturday at Braun’s booth at the Renaissance Schaumburg Convention Center.

SEEN ON THE SCENE: Tom Dreesen dropped by Gibsons on Wednesday and spent hours catching up with old pal Kelsey Grammer, who was dining at the Rush Street steakery with his daughter . . . Chicagoan Suzy Singh, a “Master Chef” contender, was spied lunching at Sunda.