Gore Vidal celebrated at New York memorial

(CBS News) Stars gathered Thursday in New York to celebrate writer Gore Vidal at a public memorial.

The memorial was held at the Schoenfeld Theatre, which is currently home to the Tony-nominated revival of Vidal's play "The Best Man."

Pictures: Gore Vidal's memorial
Pictures: Gore Vidal
Read more: Gore Vidal remembered for his wit and wisdom

Former TV talk-show host Dick Cavett hosted the event, the New York Daily News reports, and read a letter sent by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who called Vidal "a true American original."

According to reports, Susan Sarandon and actor Jefferson Mays performed a scene from Vidal's "Romulus"; excerpts from his essays were read by Alan Cumming, Richard Belzer and Michael Moore; and Elizabeth Ashley, Christine Ebersole, Candice Bergen, and Angelica Huston read an assortment of Vidal's one-liners.

The event concluded with James Earl Jones and John Larroquette performing a scene from "The Best Man," the New York Daily News reports.

Others in attendance included novelist Salman Rushdie, actors Kristin Davis, Phyllis Newman and Griffin Dunne, Congressman Dennis Kucinich, and gossip columnist Liz Smith.

Vidal died on July 31 at his California home, from complications from pneumonia. He was 86.