Stars Come Out for Emmy Reception

They say it's an honor just to be nominated, but that doesn't mean the stars don't dream of seeing gold. Kyra Sedgwick, Bryan Cranston, Chris Colfer, Fred Willard, Aaron Paul and Julia Ormond were among this season's Emmy nominees who gathered at the Academy of Television Arts & Sciences' Performers Peer Group Cocktail Reception held at Chakra in Beverly Hills.

"For years, I always was like, 'I'm never going to win. I won't win,'" The Closer's Kyra Sedgwick told TV Guide Magazine of her five nominations from 2006-2010. "This year, I thought, 'You know what? I'm just going to say I'm going to win!' Why not? At least I'll have that in my head for a while and that'll be fun!"

That's not to say that the Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series hopeful isn't aware of the competition. "I mean that whole category is amazing," she said.  "Julianna [Margulies] is a friend, so I'm always honored to be in the same sentence as her." The actress admitted she might have to find an Emmy-day lucky charm other than husband Kevin Bacon. "I think Kevin is going to be in London working. So I don't think he'll be joining me."

No matter. As Emmy veteran, Bryan Cranston is aware lucky charms aren't everything. "One year, after my third nomination from Malcolm in the Middle, someone kept saying, 'Are you bringing a good luck charm? What's your good luck charm?' I said, 'I'm going to bring my lucky charm with me this time!' I actually pinned a small box of Lucky Charms on my lapel. That was the lucky charm I brought with me. And it didn't help!" he laughed. Since then, Cranston has won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for the last two years for his role on Breaking Bad. He's in the running for a third.

Meanwhile, Modern Family nominee Fred Willard had his own theory. "I was thinking about taking an ad out [after the show] in the trades saying, 'Thank you to the Academy!' People won't know. Even if I lose, they'll go, 'Oh! That guy must have won something!'" he joked. "I have no superstitions... except not to talk about who's the competition and who might win."

Breaking Bad's Aaron Paul couldn't help himself. "I'm actually really excited that Terry O'Quinn got nominated," he said. "I know we're in the same category, but still, it's unbelievable to be in the same category as that brilliant man. And, of course, Michael Emerson. I grew up watching Martin Short—as we all did. Pure Luck is one of my favorite films of all time. I can't wait to accost him and tell him that."

The 62nd Annual Primetime Emmy Awards air live on Sunday, August 29th at 8 PM ET on NBC.