Kennedy Center Honors Gala Brings Big Names to Washington

by Alexa Lombardo · December 5, 2011

    Esteemed as the nation's most prestigious awards, the Kennedy Center Honors laud those who have made significant contributions to American culture through the arts. This year's ceremony and gala brought together some of the country's most recognizable faces.

    Caroline Kennedy served as Master of Ceremonies for the evening.

    Iconic actress Meryl Streep, singer Neil Diamond, Broadway star Barbara Cook, celebrated cellist Yo-Yo Ma and jazz saxophonist Sonny Rollins joined were this year's honorees.

    The electic mix of huge names from Hollywood to Washington included: President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Nora Ephron, Smokey Robinson, Lionel Richie, James Taylor, Stephen Colbert, Emily Blunt, John Karinski, Diane Sawyer, Robert DeNiro, Anne Hathaway, Sarah Jessica Parker, Matthew Broderick, Bill Cosby, Benny Golson, Joe Lovano, Jimmy Heath, Ravi Coltrane, Stanley Tucci, Kevin Kline, Patti LuPone, Sutton Foster, Audra McDonald, Glenn Close, Norma Desmond, John Lithgow, Jennifer Nettles, Raphael Saadiq, Newt Gingrich, Nancy Pelosi, and even Elmo.

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