Actor and comedian Billy Crystal; acclaimed soprano Renee Fleming; singer/songwriter producer and member of the Bee Gees, Barry Gibb; rapper, singer and actress Queen .
Actor and comedian Billy Crystal; acclaimed soprano Renée Fleming; Barry Gibb, singer/songwriter, producer and member of the Bee Gees; rapper, singer and actress Queen Latifah; and singer Dionne Warwick will be honored at the 46th Kennedy Center Honors for lifetime artistic achievements on December 3.
2017 Kennedy Center honoree Gloria Estefan will host the gala at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, marking her third time in the role. Done+Dusted will serve as executive producers of the event, which will air on CBS for the 46th year and stream on Paramount+.
“This year’s slate represents an extraordinary mix of individuals who have redefined their art forms and demonstrated remarkable tenacity and authenticity in becoming an original. Each of them has explored new terrain, stretched artistic boundaries, and most importantly, committed to sharing their gifts with the world,” said Kennedy Center president Deborah F. Rutter, who noted this year the Center pays special tribute to the 50th anniversary of hip hop, “a uniquely American culture whose constant evolution is one of enduring relevance and impact, reflecting our society as it has grown into an international phenomenon.”
“I am overwhelmed to be part of this fantastic group of artists. I started performing when I was 5 years old, making my parents and family laugh. Those laughs have carried me my entire life and career, and I so wish they could be at the Kennedy Center for this glorious occasion,” said Billy Crystal, a Tony and Emmy winner whose film work includes When Harry Met Sally…, City Slickers, and Analyze This.
Crystal, who received the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2007, is also a former a cast member of NBC’s Saturday Night Live, and is a nine-time host of the Academy Awards and three-time host of the Grammy Awards.
