Oceanside Library honors David Paymer with Founders Award

Born in Oceanside, and having appeared in more than 200 roles on television, film and theater as an actor and a director, David Paymer is undoubtedly a  star within the community. Wanting to celebrate his achievements, the Oceanside Library presented Paymer with their 2022 Founders Award on Aug. 7.

“The Founders Award goes to celebrate people who have made an impact in the areas that are part of the library’s mission, which includes literacy, culture, entertainment, and community activities and community spirit,” said Tony Iovino, assistant director of Oceanside Library. “So, David Paymer being a world-renowned actor, and from Oceanside, he fits perfectly within that criteria for the award.”

The event was held at the library and was open to all members of the Friends of the Oceanside Library, a non-profit corporation that works to support the library. Their Founder breakfast events began approximately 5 years ago, which would be held around April, the month the library was founded, and would present their Founders Award to a deserving person or group of the community. In the past, previous recipients have been authors, an anti-drug group, as well as multiple awards to youth that were involved in the community.

During the reception, Paymer reminisced on his experience growing up in Oceanside, and talked of his first theatre production which was at Oceanside High School, from which he graduated from in 1972. At the very start of his career, he said he had a tremendous influence from Barry Kaplan, the, now retired, OHS drama teacher.

With him, Paymer had brought a recording of the song “Oceanside, USA,” a song that was scored and conducted by his father, Marvin Paymer, who was very active in the Oceanside community. In 1960, as part of a fundraiser for the library, Paymer’s parents had put on a musical revue show. Paymer was able to get one of the songs digitized and played it during the event. Paymer is currently on Broadway with Long Beach native Billy Crystal in the production of “Mr. Saturday Night.”

“David Paymer was humble and he was just a real gentleman and I think he was very appreciative,” said Iovino. We were astounded by his generosity of time, and the warm feeling that he still has for Oceanside,”