Kennedy Center Honors 2023 to Feature Billy Crystal, Barry Gibb, Dionne Warwick
The Kennedy Center has announced its 2023 honorees making up its 45th Class of Honorees.
This year’s figures from the world of entertainment and the arts being honored are:
– Actor/comedian Billy Crystal
-Opera singer Renée Fleming
-Pop icon Barry Gibb
-Rapper/singer/actress Queen Latifah
-R&B/pop icon Dionne Warwick
As expected, this year’s class was truly honored with this prestigious recognition. Crystal said in a statement, “I am overwhelmed to be part of this fantastic group of artists. I started performing when I was five years old, making my parents and family laugh. Those laughs have carried me my entire life and career.”
Fleming, meanwhile, said, “Having looked with awe at the Honorees in that box at the Kennedy Center Opera House, I’m incredibly grateful to think I will be among them.”
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Gibb expressed, in part, “When I think back over 50 years to our beginnings in Redcliffe, Queensland, I could never have expected this to happen in my life … I wish my brothers were here so that they could’ve shared in this special moment.”
Latifah noted, “To now be recognized amongst so many multi-hyphenates feels unbelievable, not for just me and my team, but for our community. The work the Kennedy Center does is immeasurable so I’m beyond grateful for this recognition.”
Warwick added, “I’m exceptionally happy to be honored by the Kennedy Center. It’s very exciting to be recognized for my contributions to the music industry for the past 60 years.”
The 2023 Kennedy Center Honors ceremony will be hosted by Gloria Estefan and will take place on Sunday, December 3 at the Kennedy Center Opera House in Washington, D.C. The ceremony will air on CBS and stream on Paramount + at a later date.
Bee Gees: Classic Images Through The Years
Singer Barry Gibb of pop group the Bee Gees at Heathrow Airport in London with his wife Linda (previously Linda Gray), UK, 21st July 1973. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Pop group the Bee Gees arrive at Heathrow Airport in London, UK, 21st July 1973. From left to right, they are brothers Maurice, Barry and Robin Gibb. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Scottish singer-songwriter and actress Lulu with Robin, Barry and Maurice Gibb of pop group The Bee Gees, UK, 29th August 1983. (Photo by Hilaria McCarthy/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
British singer Barry Gibb of The Bee Gees, with his wife Linda at the Cartier polo match on Smiths Lawn, Windsor, UK, 28th July 1985. (Photo by Fox Photos/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Singer Barry Gibb of The Bee Gees marries Linda Gray, 1st September 1970. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
From left to right, Barry Gibb, Yvonne Spenceley, Maurice Gibb and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees at the wedding of Maurice and Yvonne at Haywards Heath Register Office in Sussex, 17th October 1975. (Photo by Roger Jackson/Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Singer Maurice Gibb (1949 - 2003) of the Bee Gees has his beard shaved off by his wife, Scottish pop singer Lulu, UK, 1st February 1970. He is about to appear in the stage musical 'Sing a Rude Song'. (Photo by McCarthy/Daily Express/Getty Images)
Recently re-formed pop group the Bee Gees, walking arm-in-arm with Linda Gray, London, 21st August 1970. Left to right: Robin Gibb (1949 - 2012), Linda Gray, Barry Gibb and Maurice Gibb (1949 - 2003). Gray and Barry Gibb were married the following month. (Photo by Jack Kay/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Maurice, Barry and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees on April 06, 1989. (Photo by Larry Ellis/Express/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - MARCH 15: Musicians Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees attend the 25th Annual Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Waldorf=Astoria on March 15, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - MARCH 15: Musicians Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees attend the 25th Annual Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Waldorf=Astoria on March 15, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
NEW YORK - MARCH 15: Musician Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees attends the 25th Annual Rock And Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at the Waldorf=Astoria on March 15, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
Singer Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees, 30th July 1988. (Photo by B. Gomer/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Maurice (1949 - 2003), Barry and Robin Gibb of the British pop group the Bee Gees, circa 1973. (Photo by Sydney O'Meara/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
BEVERLY HILLS, CA - MAY 15: Musicians Barry Gibb and Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees attend the 55th Annual BMI Pop Awards at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel on May 15, 2007 in Beverly Hills, California. (Photo by Chad Buchanan/Getty Images)
LONDON - MAY 25: Robin Gibb (L) and Barry Gibb of The Bee Gees arrive for The Ivor Novello Awards at The Grosvenor Hotel on May 25, 2006 in London, England. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images)
LONDON - MAY 20: Barry Gibb of The Bee Gees performs on stage during The Prince's Trust 30th Live concert held at the Tower of London on May 20, 2006 in London, England. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images)
LONDON - MAY 20: Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees performs on stage during The Prince's Trust 30th Live concert held at the Tower of London on May 20, 2006 in London, England. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images)
LONDON - MAY 20: Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees performs on stage during The Prince's Trust 30th Live concert held at the Tower of London on May 20, 2006 in London, England. (Photo by Jo Hale/Getty Images)
Anglo-Australian singer and musician Maurice Gibb (1949 - 2003) of the pop and disco band The Bee Gees wears a satin jacket with no shirt underneath as he plays the bass guitar on stage during a concert in a publicity photo, late 1970s. (Photo by A&M Records courtesy of Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - MARCH 1999: The Bee Gees perform during the "One Night Only" concert at Stadium Australia in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Patrick Riviere/Getty Images)
1st July 1973: Pop singer Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees group with his wife Linda in 1973. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
1st February 1970: Scottish pop singer Lulu (Marie MacDonald McLaughlin Lawrie) and her husband Maurice Gibb (1949 - 2003), singer with pop group the Bee Gees, shortly after Lulu had shaved Maurice's beard off in preparation for his acting debut in the show 'Sing A Rude Song', a musical biography of music hall star Marie Lloyd, who will be played by Barbara Windsor. (Photo by Frank Barratt/Keystone/Getty Images)
Popular English vocal trio the Bee Gees; from left to right, brothers Barry, Robin and Maurice Gibb (1949 - 2003). (Photo by Sydney O'Meara/Getty Images)
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images.
NEW YORK - FEBRUARY 23: The Bee Gees receive the Legend Award during the 45th Annual Grammy Awards at Madison Square Garden on February 23, 2003 in New York City. (Photo by Frank Micelotta/Getty Images)
70's rock/disco group, The Bee Gees pose for the photographer at a press conference April 23, 2001 in New York prior to announcing the release of their latest album "This is Where I Came In," which will be available in the U.S. April 24. From Left: Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Newsmakers)
70's rock/disco group, The Bee Gees speak to the press April 23, 2001 in New York to announce the release of their latest album "This is Where I Came In," which will be available in the U.S. April 24. From Left: Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Newsmakers)
Pop singer Robin Gibb, former member of the group The Bee Gees, performing at the London Palladium, 1969. (Photo by McCarthy/Getty Images)
Pop group The Bee Gees, comprising of (back row left to right) drummer Colin Peterson, guitarist Vince Melouney, Maurice Gibb (front row) twins Barry and Robin Gibb. (Photo by Ian Tyas/Getty Images)
English singer, songwriter, musician and record producer Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees with his Pyrenean Mountain dog Barnaby, UK, 3rd October 1969. (Photo by Evening Standard/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Pop group The Bee Gees, circa 1967. Clockwise from bottom left, they are Colin Petersen, Vince Melouney, Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb and Robin Gibb. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Pop group The Bee Gees in London, 24th April 1967. From left to right, they are Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, Colin Petersen and Maurice Gibb. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
English singer, songwriter, musician and record producer Barry Gibb of pop group The Bee Gees, who won the title of 'Britain's Best Dressed Personality', UK, 12th July 1969. (Photo by Hilaria McCarthy/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
English singer, songwriter, musician and record producer Barry Gibb of pop group The Bee Gees, who won the title of 'Britain's Best Dressed Personality', UK, 12th July 1969. (Photo by Hilaria McCarthy/Daily Express/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Hungarian pop singer Sarolta Zalatnay with her boyfriend, British singer-songwriter and musician Maurice Gibb (1949 - 2003) of the Bee Gees, London, UK, 24th April 1968. (Photo by Roy Milligan/Daily Express/Getty Images)
Singer Maurice (left) and Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees filming a sketch for the television show 'Cucumber Castle' at the home of their manager, Robert Stigwood, 31st August 1969. Sammy Davis will also appear in the sketch. (Photo by J. Wilds/Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Maurice Gibb of the Bee Gees marries singer Lulu at St James' Church in Gerrard's Cross, Buckinghamshire, 18th February 1969. (Photo by Ted West/Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Singer Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees drinking tea with his fiancee, Molly Hullis, 1968. (Photo by Ian Tyas/Keystone Features/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
British singer, songwriter and musician Robin Gibb (1949 - 2012, left), formerly of the Bee Gees, with his first wife, Molly, and managing director of NEMS Enterprises, Vic Lewis (1919 - 2009). They are celebrating Gibb's signing of a contract with NEMS, 5th September 1969. (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
American actress Faye Dunaway switches on the lights in Carnaby Street, London, 17th November 1967. Here she is interviewed by British television personality Simon Dee (right) and singer Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees is pictured between them. (Photo by Watson/Daily Express/Getty Images)
'Bee Gees' musician Robin Gibb marrying Molly Hullis at Caxton Hall, London, December 4th 1968. (Photo by Mike McLaren/Central Press/Getty Images)
English pop group the Bee Gees in London, 24th April 1967. From left to right, drummer Colin Peterson, Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb and Maurice Gibb (1949 - 2003). (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
English pop group the Bee Gees in London, 24th April 1967. From left to right, Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, drummer Colin Peterson and Maurice Gibb (1949 - 2003). (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
English pop group the Bee Gees in London, 24th April 1967. From left to right, Robin Gibb, drummer Colin Peterson, Barry Gibb and Maurice Gibb (1949 - 2003). (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
Australian group The Bee Gees posing on a balcony with a stuffed leopard, late 1960s. From left to right, Barry Gibb, Maurice Gibb, drummer Colin Peterson, Robin Gibb and bassist Vince Melouney (Photo by Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
1970: Robin Gibb, British pop singer and member of the Bee Gees. (Photo by Sydney O'Meara/Express/Getty Images)
circa 1967: Robin and Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees at London Airport, 1967. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
The Bee Gees pop group, backstage at the Romford Odeon with disc jockey Mike Quinn (front, seated), 8th May 1968. Left to right; Maurice Gibb (1949 - 2003), Barry Gibb, Colin Petersen and Robin Gibb (1949 - 2012). (Photo by John Hercock/Central Press/Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
1st June 1969: Barry Gibb of the Bee Gees pop group arrives at Uxbridge Court in the back of a chauffeur driven car; he is to appear in court on a smuggling charge. (Photo by P. Felix/Express/Getty Images)
6th November 1967: Robin Gibb, a member of the English pop group the Bee Gees having just woken from a slumber. (Photo by Evening Standard/Getty Images)
24th April 1967: English pop group, the Bee Gees in London. Left to right, Barry Gibb, Robin Gibb, drummer, Colin Peterson and Maurice Gibb (1949 - 2003). (Photo by Ian Tyas/Keystone Features/Getty Images)
1967: Pop group The Bee Gees, comprising of (left to right) drummer Colin Peterson, Maurice Gibb (1949 - 2003), guitarist Vince Melouney and twins Barry and Robin Gibb, reclining on a bear skin rug. (Photo by Ian Tyas/Keystone Features/Getty Images)
1968: Robin Gibb, brother of Maurice and Barry and the third member of the popular disco band The Bee Gees, covered with confetti during his wedding to his first wife Molly. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
April 1967: Robin Gibb, brother of Maurice and Barry and the third member of the popular disco band The Bee Gees. (Photo by Ian Tyas/Keystone/Getty Images)
April 1967: Barry Gibb, brother of Maurice and Robin and the third member of the popular disco band The Bee Gees. (Photo by Ian Tyas/Keystone/Getty Images)
circa 1970: Maurice Gibb (1949 - 2003), twin brother of Robin Gibb and third member of the popular disco band The Bee Gees. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)
Scottish pop singer Lulu emerges from Gerrards Cross Church, Buckinghamshire with her new husband, Maurice Gibb (1949 - 2003) of the Bee Gees. (Photo by Keystone/Getty Images)