"Gravity" star Sandra Bullock, chart-topping singer Justin Timberlake and blockbuster "Iron Man 3" were the biggest winners at the public-voted People's Choice awards show Wednesday.

On the small screen, hit comedy "The Big Bang Theory" and drama "The Good Wife" were among the top winners, while actors earning prizes included Chris Colfer, star of "Glee" which started the night with most nominations.

Britney Spears was named favorite pop artist, while singer and actress Jennifer Hudson won hearts with an emotional speech in accepting a humanitarian award.

The People's Choice awards kick off the main phase of Hollywood's annual awards season, as Tinseltown prepares to gather for the Golden Globes on Sunday, the Grammys in two weeks before the Oscars climax on March 2.

Bullock, who is tipped for multiple awards in the next month or two for her turn in 3D space spectacular "Gravity," picked up four awards Thursday including favorite movie actress.

She also won a share of favorite movie duo with "Gravity" co-star George Clooney, favorite comedy movie actress and favorite drama movie actress.

Veteran Johnny Depp won favorite movie actor -- even though "The Lone Ranger" was a major flop -- Robert Downey Jr. took best action star, Adam Sandler best comedy actor and Leonardo DiCaprio favorite dramatic movie actor.

Downey Jr. also helped "Iron Man 3" win both favorite movie and favorite action movie.

Timberlake dominated the music categories with three wins for favorite male artist, favorite R&B artist and favorite album for his mega-selling "The 20/20 Experience."

On television, "The Good Wife" star Josh Charles won best dramatic actor, while top drama actress went to "Castle" star Stana Katic.

Colfer won best comedy actor, and Kaley Cuoco of "The Big Bang Theory" won best comedy actress.

Steven Colbert won best late night talk host, while best streaming series -- a category reflecting the huge growth of online viewing -- went to "Orange is the New Black," which runs on pioneering Internet TV and movie service Netflix.

Hudson won the favorite humanitarian award, and accepted it with her sister Julia for the foundation they launched in the name of Julia's son after his death in a 2008 murder which also killed their mother and brother.

"It's one thing to be a celebrity and have power .. but it means nothing if we're not making a difference by helping someone else," she said.