Redding's Levinson Honored at Westport Gala

Barry Levinson—a writer, producer and director known for his involvement in such films as "Rain Man," "Toys," "Wag The Dog" and "Diner"—was honored at a gala at . 

Levinson, a Redding resident, was the center of attention at the library's 14th annual Booked for the Evening fundraising event, The Stamford Advocate reports.

According to The Advocate, Michael Stagrow, a writer for the Baltimore Sun and New Yorker contributer, spoke highly of Levinson at the event. 

"No filmmaker, I think, has contributed more to contemporary American culture than Levinson," Stagrow said. "He makes every word count in 'Diner.' He definitively captured the sheer cluelessness of the American male in the mid-20th century and he did it in a way that changed American movies, TV and stand-up comedy. He concentrated on the connections characters made between punch lines when they seemed to be doing nothing."

When Levinson addressed the crowd, he spoke about the importance libraries, according to The Advocate.

"Libraries are an important part of society that cannot be dismissed," he said, "When a kid picks up a book, his whole world can change."

Look no further than Levinson.