Democratic national conventions are usually an opportunity for Hollywood liberals to come out and show their support.

But this year, the event was a little light on celebrities. The usual convention-attending stars, like Oprah, George Clooney, Susan Sarandon, Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, were nowhere to be seen.

It's hard to say whether they were busy or if they have become somewhat disillusioned with President Barack Obama.

But the convention did still draw some star power. Marc Anthony sang the national anthem, Mary J. Blige, James Taylor and the Foo Fighters all performed. Eva Longoria, Scarlett Johansson and Kerry Washington gave speeches

A group of actors and actresses was also milling around and advocating for a cause - namely, themselves.

Actually it was on behalf of the Creative Coalition, which advocates for arts funding.

Among those hanging around were Beau Bridges, Patricia Arquette, Tim Daly and Wayne Knight (Newman from Seinfeld.)

"I think there's a misperception," Daly, president of the organization, told CBC News.

"When you talk about the arts, you can almost see people's thought bubbles. It either goes to misbehaving overpaid people who are on the cover of US  Weekly, or it goes to fancy people in tuxedos at Carnegie Hall.

"Often when I ask people if they're involved in the arts, they say 'No, no, of course not.' And then I ask them if they sing in the church choir or rock out on guitar in their basement or if they sew costumes for their kids and they're  like, 'Oh, sure.' And my answer to them is then you are involved in the arts. And I think it's a vital part of everybody's life."