Last night, eleven official premieres of Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones took place across North America, each to benefit regional children's charities.

Celebrities, fans, and most importantly some great kids turned out in Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Denver, Los Angeles, New York, Philadelphia, San Francisco, Seattle, Toronto and Washington, D.C. to be among the first to catch the anticipated film opening this Thursday.

In New York City, the premiere was part of the inaugural Tribeca Film Festival and benefited the Children's Aid Society. Guests included Denis Leary, Michael J. Fox, Susan Sarandon, Governor Pataki and Star Wars stars James Earl Jones (voice of Darth Vader), Frank Oz (Yoda) and Natalie Portman (Padme Amidala).

Dedicated to ending child abuse and neglect, the Kempe Children's Foundation hosted Denver's premiere where a sold-out crowd included Denver Bronco's coach Mike Shannahan and wide receiver Ed McCaffrey. With trivia contents, give-aways and the film itself, the crowd had a great time.

A Mother's Day Brunch and pre-screening party with costumed volunteers took place in Washington, D.C. before the screening to benefit For Love of Children, Inc., a community-based family service organization.

In Los Angeles, Star Wars personalities Samuel L. Jackson (Mace Windu), Ahmed Best (Jar Jar Binks) and Ewan McGregor (Obi-Wan Kenobi) joined costumed fans to raise money for The Fulfillment Fund which provides education assistance to thousands.

Hayden Christensen (Anakin Skywalker) was guest-of-honor in home-town Toronto for their premiere benefiting Child Find Ontario, while Carrie Fisher (Princess Leia) and Writer / Director George Lucas were on-hand at the San Francisco event in support of the California Mentor Foundation.

Lucasfilm wishes to thank all of the charities for their hard work in making the Episode II premieres a great success, and for their valuable contribution to children in need every day.

Stay tuned to starwars.com for updates on other events this week.