Barry Levinson

Baltimore native Barry Levinson became a major Hollywood film director, but he never forgot his hometown. Indeed, Levinson's heart and his camera returned to Charm City to make "Diner" (1982), "Tin Men" (1987), "Avalon" (1990) and "Liberty Heights" (1999). As HCC film professors Marie Westhaver and Mike Giuliano observe in this podcast episode, Levinson's Baltimore films showcase how well he works with actors, encouraging them to improvise and help develop their characters; and the careful production design in these period films is a testament to the high degree of craftsmanship that one finds throughout Levinson's career. His best films also include "Good Morning Vietnam" (1987), "Rain Man" (1988), "Bugsy" (1991), "Wag the Dog" (1997) and "You Don't Know Jack" (2010).