DIONNE Warwick and Barry Gibb have been honored at this year's Kennedy Center Honors, among a lineup of three other iconic stars.
Former honoree Gloria Estefan hosted the 46th annual celebration, which took place at the Kennedy Center Opera House on December 3 but premiered last night on CBS and Paramount+.
Besides Gibb and Warwick, this year's other honorees included Billy Crystal, Renée Fleming, and Queen Latifah.
Herbie Hancock, Chlöe Bailey, Debbie Allen, Ego Nwodim, Clive Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Mickey Guyton and The Spinners, and Gladys Knight took to the stage to honor Dionne with stories, speeches, and performances of her hit songs.
Amy Grant, Gloria Estefan, Stephen Gibb, Little Big Town, Michael Bublé, Ariana DeBose, and Ben Platt took to the stage to honor Barry with stories, speeches, and performances of his hit songs.
The annual Kennedy Center Honors celebrates musicians, writers, actors, and artists for "lifetime artistic achievements" contributing to American life and culture.
Read our Kennedy City Honors blog for the latest updates...
Annual Kennedy Center Honors in pictures
Below are some pictures from the 46th Annual Kennedy Center Honors ceremony.
Inside Robin Williams’ career, part four
This earned him his first and only Oscar for Best Supporting Actor.
After that, he played a rebellious robot in Bicentennial Man (1999), before taking on his most distinctive and surprising role as a troubled supermarket worker in the thriller One Hour Photo (2002).
He also appeared in Christopher Nolan's Insomnia, and later in life voiced a character in both the Happy Feet movies, and played Theodore Roosevelt in three Night At The Museum movies.
His final role was in Terry Jones' Absolutely Anything, voicing Dennis The Dog.
Inside Robin Williams’ career, part three
Robin improvised much of his performance and won a Golden Globe for it, losing out to Michael Douglas in the Best Actor Oscars section.
Then, in 1989, he played another inspirational figure - an English teacher in Dead Poets Society, whose unorthodox methods and speeches about life inspire his miserable prep school pupils.
A few years later he starred in two Disney movies - Hook, as a grown-up version of Peter Pan who'd forgotten about his childhood, and Aladdin, as the genie.
But his best-known and perhaps best-loved role was in Mrs Doubtfire in 1993, in which he plays a father desperate to stay in his kids' lives, and pretends to be a female housemaid to do so.
He continued his string of family-friendly hits with Jumanji (1995), and the sci-fi caper Flubber (1997).
In the same year as Flubber, Good Will Hunting was released, in which Robin co-starred with young actor Matt Damon as his therapist.
Inside Robin Williams’ career, part two
In the mid-1970s, he began performing a "manic" style of stand-up, which got him noticed in 1977, and he landed a spot on the TV show Laugh-In.
Robin says the stress of stand-up triggered his alcohol and drug dependency early in his career.
Other TV work included The Richard Pryor Show, the comedy special Off The Wall, Happy Days, and his own spin-off show from Happy Days called Mork & Mindy, which was incredibly popular.
Then came his first major movie role, as the lead in the 1980 film Popeye, and his Hollywood career took off after that.
After Popeye, Robin's big breakthrough movie hit was Good Morning, Vietnam (1987) which saw him play a maverick radio DJ broadcasting to soldiers.
Inside Robin Williams' childhood and career
Robin McLaurin Williams was born on July 21, 1951, and had two older half-brothers.
He claims to have used humor to gain his mother's attention during childhood, and his school friends have said he was very funny in class.
He was named "Most Likely Not To Succeed" and "Funniest" in his 1969 high school graduation book.
He dropped out of his political science degree to study acting and his first role at college was as Fagin in Oliver!.
He then studied at the prestigious Juilliard School in New York alongside Christopher Reeve, who became a long-time friend of Robin, and William Hurt.
What to know about Robin Williams' death
Last night Whoopi Goldberg remembered comedian Robin Williams who died in 2014.
The Chicago-born actor died by suicide after being misdiagnosed with Parkinson's and falling into a state of depression.
No illegal drugs or alcohol traces were found in his system, only "therapeutic" levels of prescription drugs.
Robin had been suffering from diffuse Lewy body dementia, a neurodegenerative disorder which causes slowed responses, physical rigidity, and sometimes depression, many believe that his misdiagnosis led to the suicide.
His ashes were scattered at San Francisco Bay on August 12, 2014.
If you or someone you know is affected by any of the issues raised in this story, call or text the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline on 988 or chat on 988lifeline.org. You can also text HOME to 741741 for Crisis Text Line.
More on Jay Leno
Jay, whose real name is James Douglas Muir Leno, started his career in 1976 playing minor roles in shows and movies like Good Times and Fun With Dick And Jane.
He had his first appearance on The Tonight Show in 1977 performing a comedy routine and went on to have multiple appearances on The Late Show With David Letterman.
In 1986 he started subbing in regularly for Tonight Show host Johnny Carson and replaced him in 1992. Leno remained host until 2009.
Jimmy Fallon was later chosen as his successor.
Throughout all his career endeavors, Leno has accumulated a net worth of $450million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Introducing Jay Leno
Jay Leno honored Billy Crystal last night.
The popular actor and comedian was Jay Leno’s first and last guest on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno.
Leno has hosted several shows besides The Tonight Show. He also had a prime-time comedy show which came on five times a week called The Jay Leno Show.
Although it only ran for one season, there were 95 episodes put out in total.
He took to YouTube to share his love of cars in Jay Leno's Garage. As an avid car collector, Leno takes viewers with him as he searches across the country for unique finds.
What to know about last night's host Gloria Estefan
Gloria Estefan is a well-known Cuban-American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman.
The singer was born in Havana, Cuba, on September 1, 1957. During the Cuban Revolution, her family relocated to Miami, Florida. The family ultimately decided to stay there.
She started her illustrious career in Miami Latin Boys, which was later known as Miami Sound Machine.
Over the years she has won numerous awards, including three Grammys, and an MTV Video Music Award, and has received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame.
Gloria has also turned her hand to TV, starring in everything from Glee to Frasier. She also owns a number of Cuban-themed restaurants in Miami.
Gloria returns to the Kennedy Center Honors tonight as host for the third time after she was honored at the 2017 celebration.
Who performed last night?
The honorees were celebrated last night with performances from stars including:
Meet Dionne Warwick's children
David and Damon Elliott are Dionne's two sons with William.
Similar to their parents, both sons took on music as a profession.
David is a songwriter, while Damon is a producer who goes by the alias Buck 22.
Damon has produced songs for Destiny's Child, Jessica Simpson, Bone Thugs N Harmony, and P!nk.
Dionne Warwick is an award winner
Dionne is a five-time Grammy Award-winning recording artist.
She released two albums in 2019 and won a lifetime-achievement Grammy.
Dionne is currently in the midst of her One Last Time tour, although she hasn't announced whether it will actually be her last.
In an interview with The New York Times, Dionne said she'd move to Brazil when she is ready to retire - but clearly, that's not today.
She told the outlet that the name for her documentary came from her very first recording, a song called, Don't Make Me
Over, which is also one of the first things she recalls saying to her songwriting and production duo, Burt Bacharach and Hal David.She said that she told them: "That was something that they could never, ever do. Don’t even try to change me or make me over."
More on Dionne Warwick
Dionne is best known for challenging the racial barriers between African-American women and pop music.
Before her, black women were only known for singing R&B and gospel music, but that changed forever when she won a Grammy Award in the Best Pop Music category in 1968.
She also is known for her work as an activist, including her work as the former United Nations Global Ambassador for the Food and Agriculture Organization and the United States Ambassador of Health.
She was outspoken about the HIV and AIDS crisis and donated millions of dollars to research for the cause by publicly donating all of the money earned from her song, That's What Friends Are For, to the illness.
Dionne's most famous hits include: Walk On By, Alfie, That's What Friends Are For, Don't Make Me Over, I'll Never Love This Way Again, and Do You Know the Way to San Jose.
Get to know Dionne Warwick
Dionne Warwick was born on December 12, 1940, in Orange, New Jersey, making her 82 years old.
She's not only a singer but also an actress, a television personality, and, most recently, a Twitter star.
Dionne is from a musical family - she began singing gospel as a child at The New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey.
She is also the cousin of the late singer Whitney Houston; her aunt is gospel vocalist Cissy Houston, Whitney Houston's mother.
Individuals who were honored
Below are the five individuals who were recognized at the Kennedy Center Honors last night.
Ben Platt's outfit confused viewers
While Ben Platt took to the stage to honor Bee Gees legend Barry Gibb with a stellar performance of Nights on Broadway during the 46th Annual Kennedy Center Honors, some viewers could only focus on his suit - which a few X users thought was ill-fitted.
Ben Platt, love you, but those shoulder pads are just wrong.
— Shelley (@SRossWall) December 28, 2023President Joe Biden honored Billy Crystal
President Joe Biden paid tribute to each honoree at the 46th Annual Kennedy Center Honors - including Billy Crystal.
"What I admire most about him is his heart," Biden said.
"His heart that reminds us to love and care for one another — raising awareness and funds to end cancer, fighting homelessness, help a city rebuild after 9/11 and Superstorm Sandy and so much more."
Five honorees pictured
This year’s Kennedy Center honorees include Billy Crystal, Renée Fleming, Barry Gibb, Queen Latifah, and Dionne Warwick.
Barry Gibb is 'proud and humble'
Bee Gees founding member Barry Gibb was honored at the 46th Annual Kennedy Center Honors ceremony.
“This is a wonderful honor! It’s hard to be proud and humble at the same time," the iconic musician said, according to the Kennedy Center's website.
"It is one of the most special moments in my life and something that I will always cherish.
"When I think back over 50 years to our beginnings in Redcliffe, Queensland, I could never have expected this to happen in my life.
"Receiving the Kennedy Center Honors is something that everyone hopes might happen one day. I’ve often thought about but never dreamed it could come true.
"Thank you to all those who made this dream a reality. I wish my brothers were here so that they could’ve shared in this special moment.”
Whoopi Goldberg's tribute leaves fans in tears
Fans were left emotional after Whoopi Goldberg mentioned Robin Williams in her tribute to Billy Crystal.
Crap, Whoopi talking about how Robin Williams should be standing next to her during the #KennedyCenterHonors tribute to Billy Crystal is making me tear up.
— Vlada Gelman (@VladaGelman) December 28, 2023About Robin Williams' death
Robin Williams died at the age of 63 at his home in Paradise Cay, California in 2014.
The Chicago-born actor died by suicide after being misdiagnosed with Parkinson's and falling into a state of depression.
No illegal drugs or alcohol traces were found in his system, only "therapeutic" levels of prescription drugs.
Robin had been suffering from diffuse Lewy body dementia, a neurodegenerative disorder which causes slowed responses, physical rigidity and sometimes depression, many believe that his misdiagnosis led to the suicide.
His ashes were scattered at San Francisco Bay on August 12, 2014.
Whoopi Goldberg became emotional during her tribute to Billy Crystal during the 46th Annual Kennedy Center Honors as she remembered their late friend Robin.
Billy Crystal opened up about missing Robin Williams
Before the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony on December 3, Billy Crystal told reporters that he was also missing his friend, Robin Williams.
"I’m really feeling I’m missing my friend Robin tonight, very much so, because of all of what we did together," the actor said.
"I know that he would be here, and he is.
"So it’s special, and a lot of feelings for me tonight.”
Williams, who died in 2014 at age 63, honored Crystal at the Kennedy Center in 2007, when the comedian won that year's Mark Twain Prize for Humor.
Whoopi Goldberg remembers Robin Williams
While honoring actor Billy Crystal, comedian Whoopi Goldberg said that he's “fearless” and that she admires him for never forgetting his roots.
Whoopi became emotional as she said that Robin Williams should have been standing on stage with her during the tribute.
Robin Williams, Billy Crystal, and Whoopi Goldberg hosted America's Comic Relief charity telethon together for years.
Queen Latifah honored at The Kennedy Center
Queen Latifah was honored at the 46th Annual Kennedy Center Honors.
The rapper, singer, and actress was honored by Kerry Washington, Missy Elliott, and members of her family.
The tribute to the multi-hyphenate star also included performances from Rapsody, MC Lyte, the Clark Sisters, D-Nice, Yo-Yo, and Monie Love.
Queen Latifah keeps her love life private
Queen Latifah and Eboni Nichols first met on the set of Dancing with the Stars in 2009.
Although they have kept their relationship private, they officially started dating in 2013.
Latifah has been notoriously private about her relationships and in a 2008 interview with The New York Times, she said: “I don’t have a problem discussing the topic of somebody being gay, but I do have a problem discussing my personal life.
“You don’t get that part of me. Sorry. We’re not discussing it in our meetings.
"I don’t feel like I need to share my personal life, and I don’t care if people think I’m gay or not. Assume whatever you want. You do it anyway.”
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