It was a big night for kids as Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles honored outstanding members of the Los Angeles community at its annual Rising Stars Gala at the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Some of Hollywood’s biggest heavyweights gathered for the event, and a few were among the year’s honorees.
Sumner Redstone, the executive chair of Viacom and CBS Corporation, was honored with the Walt Disney Award for Man of the Year.
Good friend Sherry Lansing presented him with the trophy and praised him for his good deeds.
Redstone has devoted himself to a wide variety of civic and community efforts. He’s given an impressive $150 million to worthy charities around the world over the last several years. Those contributions include a $1.5 million donation to the Global Poverty Project toward eradicating polio. He’s also a member of the Advisory Council for the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Foundation and is on the Board of Trustees for The Paley Center for Media. He has served as chair of the board of the National Association of Theatre Owners and was recently honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
NBC entertainment prez Jennifer Salke presented the Sherry Lansing Award to Twentieth Century Fox Television chair Dana Walden. Walden has been involved in some of television’s biggest hits, including sensations like “Glee,” the award-winning “Modern Family” and the smash “Homeland,” as well as “The Simpsons,” which is celebrating its 500th episode, and favorites like “Family Guy.” Walden sits on the Board of Directors for the Greater Los Angeles Zoo, the Chrysalis organization, UCLA’s Jonsson Cancer Center and the Saban Free Clinic.
Roy Fegan presented the Rising Star Award to his son Roshon Fegan who recently appeared on the 14th season of “Dancing with the Stars” and is often seen on the Disney Channel.
Actress Pam Dawber presented the Trailblazer Award to Kim Vamos, who has been a member of the Guild of BBBSLA since 2001. The evening also featured special performances by Emmy-and Golden Globe-nominated singer and actor Lea Michele, Amber Riley and Darren Criss.
Since 1955, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Los Angeles has been a leader in providing children facing adversity with strong, enduring and professionally supported, one-to-one mentoring, hoping to change lives for the better, and forever.