Celebrities Oprah Winfrey, George Clooney and Denzel Washington, prominent Democratic fundraisers and heavyweights from the financial services and high-tech industries were among those landing visits with President Barack Obama or others at the White House during his first months in office.

The White House on Friday released a partial list of people who have visited since Obama took office in January. It released roughly 480 records in response to questions about whether specific people visited. The White House plans to start disclosing comprehensive visitor lists in coming months. The visits included in the records released on Friday include roughly six dozen with Obama.

Among the guests:

• Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates. The wealthy philanthropist had a March 25 meeting with Obama in the Oval Office.

• Labour leader and Obama supporter Andrew Stern, president of the Service Employees International Union. Twenty-two Stern visits to the White House are reflected in the records, including at least seven with Obama.

• Ed Yingling, the chief executive of the American Bankers Association and a registered lobbyist.

• Camden Fine, chief executive of the Independent Community Bankers of America and a Washington lobbyist for the group.

Lobbyists and Democratic fundraisers Anthony and Heather Podesta made several visits, all to Obama aides.

Visitors to first lady Michelle Obama and others at the White House also appear in the records.

Talk show host Oprah Winfrey, who campaigned for Obama, interviewed the first lady February 17 and was on the guest list for an Inauguration Day reception January 20.

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