It was a night of tears, cheers and controversy as Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt, Jennifer Lopez, Tom Cruise hit the red carpet for the Golden Globe Awards.

Hollywood's elite were out in force, all eager to steal the show after the writer's strike caused the annual back-patting session's cancellation last year.

But the evening wasn't without it's fair share of controversy - Jennifer Lopez kept the public guessing by leaving her wedding ring at home while cuddling up to husband Marc Anthony on the red carpet.

And Sasha Baron Cohen was booed off stage after making an inappropriate comment about Madonna's divorce from Guy Ritchie.

He told the unamused audience, "Madonna has had to get rid of one of her personal assistants. Our heart goes out to you, Guy Ritchie."

Tom Cruise led a standing ovation after the late Heath Ledger was named Best Supporting Actor for his role as the Joker in The Dark Knight.

Meanwhile, Colin Farrell couldn't resist poking fun his former drug addiction as he picked up his Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture Musical or Comedy gong.

Sniffing, he said, "I still have a cold. It's not the other thing it used to be."

The winners:

Best Performance by an Actress in a Motion Picture Drama - Kate Winslet for Revolutionary Road Best

Performance by an Actress in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture - Kate Winslet for The Reader.

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama - Mickey Rourke for The Wrestler Best

Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture - Heath Ledger for The Dark Knight

Best Motion Picture, Drama - Slumdog Millionaire Best

Best Performance by an Actor in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy - Alec Baldwin for 30 Rock  

Best Performance by an Actress in a Television Series, Musical or Comedy - Tina Fey for 30 Rock

Cecil B. DeMille Award - Steven Spielberg

Best Director, Motion Picture - Danny Boyle for Slumdog Millionaire

Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture
Musical or Comedy - Colin Farrell for In Bruges