Tom Hanks Honored by Pres. Obama at Kennedy Center Honors - Sitcoms Online Message Boards

JamesG · 12-08-2014, 03:05 PM

Kennedy Center Honors: Steven Spielberg, Lady Gaga Fete Tom Hanks, Sting at D.C. Gala
12/7/14
by The Associated Press

An actor hailed as America's "favorite son" and a musical genius who rose from a British shipyard town to make his mark won this nation's highest honors Sunday for influencing American culture through the arts.

Tom Hanks and Sting joined Lily Tomlin, singer Al Green and ballerina Patricia McBride in being awarded this year's Kennedy Center Honors. Top performers and power players from Hollywood, Broadway and Washington gathered to salute them in a gala performance.

The show hosted by Stephen Colbert will be broadcast Dec. 30 on CBS.

President Barack Obama saluted the honorees Sunday at the White House before the show. During the East Room reception, Obama invoked John F. Kennedy's appreciation for the role of the arts in the nation, which helped inspire the Kennedy Center's creation as a memorial to the 35th president.

"It's clear that the group on stage with me tonight understands what President Kennedy understood: that our art is a reflection of us not just as people, but as a nation. It binds us together," Obama said. "Songs and dance and film express our triumphs and our faults, our strengths, our tenderness in ways that sometimes words simply cannot do."

David Letterman led a series of tributes for Hanks, reciting some of the actor's unforgettable lines from his movies:

"Momma always said life is like a box of chocolates."

"There's no crying in baseball!"

"Houston, we have a problem."

Filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who collaborated with Hanks on many projects, said "America's favorite son" has opened a window on the nation with movies that include Philadelphia, A League of Their Own, Forrest Gump, Apollo 13 and Saving Private Ryan.

"Tom loves his country," Spielberg said.

Filmmaker George Stevens Jr., who created the Kennedy Center Honors but said this would be his last time producing the show, said Hanks stands apart as "one of the great actors of his generation or any generation."

Martin Short led a musical tribute for Hanks, singing "you're our Yankee Doodle dandy," joined by military choirs and musicians.

Before the show, Hanks, 58, joked that a mistake must have been made in the choice for a fifth honoree.

"This is the work I started in 1981, so it all works out OK," he said.

http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...ielberg-754774

12-08-2014, 03:05 PM	#1
JamesG Freakshow Moderator Forum Icon Join Date: Feb 01, 2008 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 56,956	Tom Hanks Honored by Pres. Obama at Kennedy Center Honors Kennedy Center Honors: Steven Spielberg, Lady Gaga Fete Tom Hanks, Sting at D.C. Gala 12/7/14 by The Associated Press An actor hailed as America's "favorite son" and a musical genius who rose from a British shipyard town to make his mark won this nation's highest honors Sunday for influencing American culture through the arts. Tom Hanks and Sting joined Lily Tomlin, singer Al Green and ballerina Patricia McBride in being awarded this year's Kennedy Center Honors. Top performers and power players from Hollywood, Broadway and Washington gathered to salute them in a gala performance. The show hosted by Stephen Colbert will be broadcast Dec. 30 on CBS. President Barack Obama saluted the honorees Sunday at the White House before the show. During the East Room reception, Obama invoked John F. Kennedy's appreciation for the role of the arts in the nation, which helped inspire the Kennedy Center's creation as a memorial to the 35th president. "It's clear that the group on stage with me tonight understands what President Kennedy understood: that our art is a reflection of us not just as people, but as a nation. It binds us together," Obama said. "Songs and dance and film express our triumphs and our faults, our strengths, our tenderness in ways that sometimes words simply cannot do." David Letterman led a series of tributes for Hanks, reciting some of the actor's unforgettable lines from his movies: "Momma always said life is like a box of chocolates." "There's no crying in baseball!" "Houston, we have a problem." Filmmaker Steven Spielberg, who collaborated with Hanks on many projects, said "America's favorite son" has opened a window on the nation with movies that include Philadelphia, A League of Their Own, Forrest Gump, Apollo 13 and Saving Private Ryan. "Tom loves his country," Spielberg said. Filmmaker George Stevens Jr., who created the Kennedy Center Honors but said this would be his last time producing the show, said Hanks stands apart as "one of the great actors of his generation or any generation." Martin Short led a musical tribute for Hanks, singing "you're our Yankee Doodle dandy," joined by military choirs and musicians. Before the show, Hanks, 58, joked that a mistake must have been made in the choice for a fifth honoree. "This is the work I started in 1981, so it all works out OK," he said. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...ielberg-754774 Attached Images