Tom Hanks, Lily Tomlin Among This Year’s Kennedy Center Honorees
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ABC/Randy Holmes(WASHINGTON) — Tom Hanks and Lily Tomlin are among the artists who will receive the 37th annual Kennedy Center Honors this year.
Singers Al Green and Sting, and ballerina Patricia McBride, will also receive the prestigious honors, which are presented annually by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in recognition of recipients’ lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts.
“The Kennedy Center celebrates five extraordinary individuals who have spent their lives elevating the cultural vibrancy of our nation and the world,” the Kennedy Center said in a statement announcing the honorees. “Al Green’s iconic voice stirs our souls in a style that is all his own; Tom Hanks has a versatility that ranks him among the greatest actors of any generation; one of the world’s greatest ballerinas, Patricia McBride continues to carry forward her legacy for future generations; Sting’s unique voice and memorable songwriting have entertained audiences for decades; and from the days of her early television and theatrical appearances, Lily Tomlin has made us laugh and continues to amaze us with her acting talent and quick wit.”
Per tradition, this year’s honorees will first visit President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama at the White House on December 7 before traveling to the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts for the gala ceremony, which will be recorded for broadcast on CBS December 30.
The awards themselves will be presented December 6 at the State Department, at a dinner hosted by Secretary of State John Kerry.
Last year’s recipients included musicians Billy Joel, Carlos Santana and Herbie Hancock, actress Shirley MacLaine, and opera singer Martina Arroyo.
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