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.
I think Michael Moores piece of crap ''documentary''? is up for best picture of the year.Again, maybe Im wrong, but if it is, and if it wins, Im outta this town!
WAIT a minute, he NEVER did 3 years! He did 6 MONTHS!! Here`s his bio on IMBD.....
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0000375
Yep .. but he sure didn't have a problem excepting this award for President Bush
Yes, I do have a grin on my face about this .. LOL!!!
These Hollywood types sure know how to come to the rescue of a tarnished, aging & less wealthy star.
Hey Queenie, stay in England and see how rich you remain....leave U.S. alone.
Hey Sears, get a clue.....
I believe the awards winners where picked by the Kennedy Center. President Bush and the First Lady gave them the awards
I think the most important item in thie article is that Warren Beatty is 67 years old.
For pete's sake, he's almost 70!!
UPDATE:
Robert Downey Jr refered to Elton John as "the other First Lady" during the awards show. :o(
Because he is talented?
How perfect that you post this.
(I love "Tumbleweed Connection")
What a disgrace that such a perverted little homosexual like this jerk would be honored as a "legend."
John is a vapid pop star who can sing a tune. Woop-de-doo. Let's hang a medal on him because he had a few light pop hits in the 70s and managed to ease into middle age without dying first.
Teachers, cops, firefighters, soldiers, airmen, sailors, Marines, letter carriers and paperboys contribute far more to our nation every day, and I don't see them getting this kind of worshipful treatment.
Holy hollywood obsessions, batman! that's way more information on Downey than I'll ever need. Thanks!
Ted Bundy was supposedly a Republican because he had to keep up his masquerade. How better to do it than belong to a party that would fry his arse?
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