Stephen Colbert Hosts 2015 Kennedy Center Honors Tonight

Stephen Colbert, host of the CBS talk show "The Late Show," emcees the Dec. 6 Kennedy Center Honors ceremony, saluting singer-songwriter Carole King, actresses Cicely Tyson and Rita Moreno, filmmaker George Lucas, conductor Seiji Ozawa and rock group the Eagles.





The 38th annual celebration takes place at the Opera House at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC. The gala will be recorded for broadcast on the CBS Network as a two-hour primetime special Dec. 29 at 9 PM ET.

The Kennedy Center Honors medallions were presented Dec. 5, the night before the gala.

“The Kennedy Center Honors recognizes the extraordinary and unparalleled talents of individuals whose impact and genius have left an indelible mark on civilization,” said Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein in an earlier statement. “Quite simply, our Honorees represent the voices, soundtracks, and stories of our personal lives and memories. The music of the Eagles has endured as the quintessential American rock 'n' roll sound for generations; Carole King’s heartfelt lyrics and tunes are woven throughout the tapestry of American music; George Lucas’ films have enriched our world with stories of epic adventure; Rita Moreno’s iconic spitfire roles are embedded in the heart of American culture; Seiji Ozawa’s artistic leadership as a conductor has set a new standard for orchestras around the world; and Cicely Tyson’s range of strong female roles on stage and screen have broken boundaries for women of color.”

King is also the subject of the Broadway show Beautiful: The Carole King Musical. Moreno and Tyson are both Tony Award winners, Moreno for The Ritz and Tyson for A Trip to Bountiful.

The 2015 Honorees are being saluted by great performers from New York, Hollywood and the arts capitals of the world. Seated with the President of the United States and Mrs. Obama, the Honorees accept the thanks of their peers and fans through performances and heartfelt tributes. For more information, visit www.kennedy-center.org.