Sophia Loren tribute

Actress Sophia Loren gets smooched by her two sons, composer Carlo Ponti Jr., left, and director Edoardo Ponti.  (Valeri Macon / AFP / Getty Images)

Actress Eva Mendes, who posed on the cover of the May 2008 issue of Italian Vogue styled as a retro version of Sophia Loren.  (Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images)

Italian model and actress Jo Champa is a Sophia Loren fan who has said she was inspired by Loren in the Sofia Coppola-directed film “Somewhere.”  (Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images)

Comedian, actor and recurring Oscar host Billy Crystal hosted the tribute to the Italian actress, saying that she was his “first great love.” In a 1999 interview with People Magazine, Loren said Crystal was among her favorite male leads.  (Alberto E. Rodriguez / Getty Images)

“Bel Ami” star Christina Ricci.  (Jason Redmond / EPA)

“The Sopranos” actress Lorraine Bracco.  (Jason Redmond / EPA)

“CSI: NY” actress Melina Kanakaredes.  (Jason Redmond / EPA)

“Entourage” actress Debi Mazar and her husband Gabriele Corcos.  (Jason Redmond / EPA)

“The Birds” actress Tippi Hedren.  (Jason Redmond / EPA)

“The Tourist” director Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck and his wife Christiane Asschenfeldt.  (Jason Redmond / EPA)

Italian actor and director Christian De Sica described the frequent pairing of Loren with his father, Italian director Vittorio De Sica, as “like a cappuccino -- no one could tell the milk from the coffee.” De Sica directed Loren in “Two Women,” the film for which she won the best actress Oscar in 1962.  (Jason Redmond / EPA)

“Seinfeld” actress Estelle Harris.  (Jason Redmond / EPA)