Posted on 12/05/2004 5:30:55 PM PST by Tumbleweed_Connection
Music legend Elton John, opera diva Joan Sutherland and conductor John Williams - along with actors Warren Beatty, Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee - were being honored Sunday with a star-studded tribute at The Kennedy Center.
The six recipients of the 27th annual Kennedy Center Honors were being saluted for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts.
First lady Laura Bush greeted the honorees - as well as actors Louis Gossett Jr., Robert Downey Jr. and Bo Derek - at a reception at the White House Sunday afternoon. Later, President and Mrs. Bush were honored guests at the gala event.
John, 57, has sold more than 60 million albums in three decades with hits such as "Rocket Man" and "Goodbye Yellow Brick Road."
Winning the honor "is about the icing on the cake," John said Sunday as he walked into the White House reception. "It's incredible for someone who's British to be given such an accolade from America, which has given me so much already in my career."
Australian-born soprano Sutherland, 78, has been called "perhaps the most beautiful voice of the 20th century."
Composer and conductor Williams, 72, has won five Academy Awards, 17 Grammys and two Emmys and is best known for his film scores for "Jaws," the "Star Wars" trilogy, "Raiders of the Lost Ark" and "E.T."
Beatty, 67, is an actor, writer, producer and director. He has been nominated for Academy Awards 15 times, and won an Oscar in 1982 as best director for "Reds."
Kennedy Center officials said husband-and-wife acting team Davis, 86, and Dee, 80, "have thrown open many a door previously shut tight to African-American artists."
Dee has appeared in films and plays including Lorraine Hansberry's "A Raisin in the Sun." In 1965 she became the first African-American woman to play major roles in the American Shakespeare Festival.
Davis was cited for a half-century career as a playwright, screenwriter, director, producer and actor, including the 1970 film "Cotton Comes to Harlem." He is also known for delivering the eulogy at Malcolm X's 1965 funeral.
"And Bo is pretty conservitive too, which is why you don't see her much anymore now that the leftists run Hollywood."
That, and the fact that she ain't no Kathryn Hepburn....
Exactly, that's what came to my mind.
No correction. You are absolutely right. The artists are being honored for their art, not their politics. We can take solace in the belief that Michael Moore and Al Franken will never receive such honors. I say "in the belief" since we have no assurance that it could never possibly happen. I believe it won't. Michael Moore has an Oscar and a Palm d'Or. He has no gold records. We'll see later on if the Kennedy Center becomes as corrupt as the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
"Bo is one thing, but I believe all the others are extreme lefto liberals. And didn't Elton John recently say after Bush was reelelected that the Bush administration was the worst thing thats ever happened to America?Like hes a citizen or something?Im surprised he didnt spit in the Presidents face. If Im wrong about this, someone correct me."
Maybe he was drunk. He has a long history of all-sort-of-substance-abuse. Saw him recently while surfing channels being interviewed by John McEnroe (!?@?@!!). He looked like a fat pig. But his hair was better than 20 years ago :0) As he might put it, what would you expect from a 'screaming queen'?
He's a resident of Atlanta now, I believe. Used to like his music in the 1970s and 1980s before he started spouting off about politics and his 'lifestyle'....
I remember Downey had a great quote about being a Republican. I'm going to see if I can go find it.
Anything new in the past 30 years? Nope! For some reason that old fag has been able to keep himself in the headlines, obviously has a good manager.....
| Performer | Awards |
| Elton John | 1994 Golden Globes - Best Original Song 1995 Grammy Awards - Best Pop Vocal Performance |
| Joan Sutherland | 1961 Grammy - Best Classical Performance, Vocal Soloist 1981 Grammy - Best Classical Vocal Soloist Performance |
| John Williams | 1994 Academy Awards - Winner, Best Original Score - Schindler's List 1982 Academy Awards - Winner, Best Original Score - E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 1977 Academy Awards - Winner, Best Original Score - Star Wars 1975 Academy Awards - Winner, Best Original Score - Jaws 1972 Academy Awards - Winner, Best Original Song Score and/or Adaptation - Fiddler on the Roof 1993 BAFTA Awards - Winner, Best Original Score - Schindler's List 1988 BAFTA Awards - Winner, Best Original Score - Empire of the Sun 1982 BAFTA Awards - Winner, Best Original Score - E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial 1980 BAFTA Awards - Winner, Best Original Score - The Empire Strikes Back |
| Warren Beatty | 1981 Academy Awards - Best Director "Reds" 1981 Director's Guild - Best Director "Reds" 1981 Golden Globes - Best Director "Reds" 1978 Golden Globes - Best Actor - Musical or Comedy "Heaven Can Wait" |
| Ossie Davis | Overlooked, but a master (a leftie, but a master) |
| Ruby Dee | 1961 National Board of Review - Best Supporting Actress "A Raisin in the Sun" |
And then those "Lesser Known Actors"
| Louis Gossett Jr. | 1992 Golden Globes - Best Supporting Actor "The Josephine Baker Story" 1983 Academy Awards - Best Actor in a Supporting Role "An Officer and a Gentleman" 1983 Golden Globes - Best Actor in a Supporting Role "An Officer and a Gentleman" 1977 Emmy Awards - Outstanding Lead Actor for a Single Appearance in a Drama or Comedy Series "Roots" |
| Robert Downey Jr. | Nominated lots, but never won a big one - best was Chaplin |
| Bo Derek | just bear with me - she is a 10, after all... |
Elton John did several songs that are major parts of the pop-culture in the last 30 years. Regardless of their politics Ossie Davis and Ruby Dee are treasures. Wathc the original Purlie Victorious sometime (hard to find, but worth it). John Southerland is one of the truly great voices of all time. John Williams music is the sound of the Hollywood blockbusters we all grew up with. Warren Beatty has done some... interesting stuff. I'll forgive him a lot for "Heaven Can Wait." Louis Gosset Jr. provided stunning performances in "Roots" and "Officer and a Gentleman" (and I loved "El Diablo"). Robert Downey Jr. is an amazing talent who is as much a victim of Hollywood excess as the rest of us are. If he stays straight he could be one of the best ever, and "Chaplin" was immortal. And Bo Derek.... ummmmmmmmm, Bo Derek......
I guess the b*tch really is back.
man! that was one smokin' righteous rant! coming from me, that's saying something.
Elite players to each other: "We've got it made! Screw the peasants, but for their sake, let's pretend we disagree wiuth each other!"
They have fellow "artists" introduce the honoree,then sometimes they portray some of their accomplished work.
Example: RD JR. might narrate,with string music playing in the background, a 2 minute list of his/her achievements.
Ted Bundy was a Republican. Kelsey Grammar, who had drug problems in the past, IS a republican.
He's a talented writer and all, but he's about as leftist as they come.
And another thing, Robert Downey Jr? Someone that knows trivia or maybe just watches tv a lot like I do late at night. What was the documentary Robert Downey Jr. did kind of recently about elections? If I recall it was about Clintons reelection? He followed the Dems everywhere,and I think he LOVED THE RATS, of course, and totally dissed the Republicans. The Dole campaign.He totally made fun of Bob Dole, but thought Bill Clinton was the best thing next to..........Well you fill in the blank,. I know these people are being honored for there art but, I guess I could never be a politician cause knowing what I know about these low lifes I dont care how good they are in their acting life I wouldnt honor them if I saw them! ID CLOBBER EM!
Well I`m not really ranting, I`m just telling the truth. Have you ever read the story of this bum Downey? He`s a punk whose rap sheet reads like something you`d get from a convict doing life at Attica, yet to this day he constantly gets his arse kissed and the only time Hollywood has ever denied him work was when he did a measly 3 year stretch in the can. And this is who Laura Bush is "honoring"? This dirt bag isn`t worth the spit of the a-hole of a pig... Read this, this is from his bio on IMBD, then right after read how many times he`s been out of work...ZERO. This POS is just another punk who got his career through nepotism, through his parents, so WHY in the name of God is he being honored? His only accomplishment in life is getting his ass kissed, that`s it!
Released from prison on $5,000 bail. [2 August 2000]
Released from jail to complete his six-month jail sentence at a drug rehabilitation center. Downey caused a stir when he was freed to work on a movie. [31 March 1998]
He got into fight with another inmate at the Los Angeles County Jail where he was serving time for a probation violation, and was treated for a cut over his nose. [13 February 1998]
Jailed for 180 days for violating probation. [December 1997]
Probation revoked after continued drug use. [17 October 1997]
Remanded to a secure drug rehabilitation center. [August 1996]
During traffic stop for speeding, he was arrested for drunk driving, possession of heroin, and possession of an unloaded pistol in his pickup truck. This was his first reported brush with the law at age 31. He was given a suspended prison sentence of 3 years, and granted probation with requirements of random drug testing and drug counselling. [August 1996]
Sent to a rehab center at the L.A. County jail while waiting for an August 5 hearing. [22 June 1999]
While drunk, he wandered into a neighbors Malibu home that he thought was his own, and fell asleep on the bed. He was arrested for being under the influence of drugs which was a 3rd violation of his probation.
After 3 violations of "probation" for drug and alcohol abuse in a three year span of time since he was spared a prison sentence and placed on probation, Malibu Judge Lawrence Mira stated that he was out of options and that he was sentencing Downey to prison to save his life because Downey would not take the responsibility of refraining from alcohol and drug use on his own. The Judge invoked the 3 years sentence in state prison that had been suspended in 1996. Downey, Dept of Corrections # P50522, spent 2 weeks in a state prison Reception Center at Wasco, California for orientation, and on 8/25/99 he was transferred to a Dept of Corrections prison named "SATF" (Substance Abuse Treatment Facility) for drug dependent prisoners in Corcoran California. Scheduled release date: 11/2/2000. SATF is across the street from the other Corcoran Prison where inmates were shot to death on the exercise yard during fights in the 1990's. Downey's lawyers have approached the Malibu judge several times in the last 11 months to request Downey's release, but the Judge has refused. [6 August 1999]
Downey's lawyers petitioned the State Court of Appeals in Los Angeles stating that Downey has already served enough time because the Malibu judge made errors in calculating his sentence by failing to give him credit for the several times Downey spent in lockdown rehab units and pre-sentencing confinement. Lawyers claim he should have been released in February, 2000.
During his days of drug addiction, Robert once wandered into a stranger's house and passed out on a child's bed.
Downey re-arrested on drugs and weapons charges in Palm Springs, CA at the luxurious Merv Griffin resort, after an anonymous tip to police. Downey was found alone, with cocaine and methamphetimines. He cooperated with police, spent the night in jail, and was released the next morning on $15,000.00 bail. Downey had been on a career upswing with his successful stint on Ally McBeal, and his upcoming stage performance as Hamlet, set for January, 2001 in Los Angeles, to be directed by his friend, Mel Gibson. [25 November 2000]
Arrested for being under the influence of a controlled substance in Los Angeles after he was found wandering in an alley. He was fired from the TV series "Ally McBeal" (1997) by producer David E. Kelley after the arrest. [24 April 2001]
Downey's attorneys advised the judge that they could not reach a plea bargain in his November 2000 drug arrest. [15 March 2001]
Downey pleaded not guilty to the November 2000 drug charges. Next hearing will be on July 16. He is being held in a drug rehab center until his case is decided. [24 May 2001]
Downey pleaded no contest to drug charges. The judge sentenced him to remain in rehabilitation for one year and to three years probation. [16 July 2001]
Work:
# The Shaggy Dog (2005) (filming)
# A Scanner Darkly (2005) (post-production) .... Barris
# Game 6 (2005) (post-production) .... Steven Schwimmer
# Kiss, Kiss, Bang, Bang (2005) (completed) .... Harry Lockhart
# Eros (2004) .... Pubblicitario (segment "Equilibrio")
... aka Ai shen (China: Cantonese title)
# Gothika (2003) .... Pete Graham
# Whatever We Do (2003) .... Bobby
# The Singing Detective (2003) .... Dan Dark
# Lethargy (2002) .... Animal Therapist
# "Ally McBeal" (1997) TV Series .... Larry Paul (2000-2001)
# Auto Motives (2000) .... Rob
# Wonder Boys (2000) .... Terry Crabtree
... aka Die Wonder Boys (Germany)
... aka Wonderboys - Lauter Wunderknaben (Germany: TV title)
# Black and White (1999) .... Terry Donager
# Bowfinger (1999) .... Jerry Renfro
# Friends & Lovers (1999) .... Hans
# In Dreams (1999) .... Vivian Thompson
# U.S. Marshals (1998) .... Special Agent John Royce
# The Gingerbread Man (1998) .... Clyde Pell
# Hugo Pool (1997) .... Franz Mazur
... aka Pool Girl (UK: DVD title)
# Two Girls and a Guy (1997) .... Blake Allen
# One Night Stand (1997) .... Charlie
# Danger Zone (1996) .... Jim Scott
# Restoration (1995) .... Robert Merivel
# Mr. Willowby's Christmas Tree (1995) (TV) .... Mr. Willowby
# Home for the Holidays (1995) .... Tommy Larson
# Richard III (1995) .... Anthony, Earl of Rivers
# Hail Caesar (1994) .... Jerry
# Only You (1994) .... Peter Wright
... aka Him
... aka Just in Time
# Natural Born Killers (1994) .... Wayne Gale
# Short Cuts (1993) .... Bill Bush
# Heart and Souls (1993) .... Thomas Reilly
# Chaplin (1992) .... Charlie Chaplin
... aka Charlot (Italy)
# Soapdish (1991) .... David Seton Barnes
# Too Much Sun (1991) .... Reed Richmond
# Air America (1990) .... Billy Covington
# Chances Are (1989) .... Alex Finch
# True Believer (1989) .... Roger Baron
... aka Fighting Justice
# That's Adequate (1989) .... Albert Einstein
# 1969 (1988) .... Ralph
# Rented Lips (1988) .... Wolf Dangler
# Johnny Be Good (1988) .... Leo Wiggins
# Less Than Zero (1987) .... Julian Wells
# The Pick-up Artist (1987) .... Jack Jericho
# America (1986) .... Paulie Hackley
... aka Moonbeam
# Back to School (1986) .... Derek
# Deadwait (1985)
# "Mussolini: The Untold Story" (1985) (mini) TV Series .... Bruno Mussolini
# Weird Science (1985) (as Robert Downey) .... Ian
# Tuff Turf (1985) (as Robert Downey) .... Jimmy Parker
# Firstborn (1984) .... Lee
... aka First Born
... aka Moving In (Europe: English title: video title)
# Baby It's You (1983) .... Stewart
# Up the Academy (1980) (uncredited)
... aka Mad Magazine Presents Up the Academy
... aka Mad Magazine's Up the Academy
... aka The Brave Young Men of Weinberg
# Greaser's Palace (1972) (uncredited)
# Pound (1970) (as Bob Downey) .... Puppy
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.