32nd Annual Kennedy Center Honors

On Sunday, December 6, 2009, five outstanding individuals were honored, on the Kennedy Center Opera House stage, for their lifetime contributions to the cultural life of the nation and the world in dance, music, theater, opera, motion pictures or television. It was also Dave Brubeck's 89th birthday.

Honored were:
Mel Brooks - writer, composer, actor, director and producer - born June 28, 1926 in Brooklyn, New York
Dave Brubeck, pianist and composer - born December 6, 1920 in Concord, California
Grace Bumbry, opera singer - born January 4, 1937 in St. Louis, Missouri
Robert De Niro, actor, director and producer - born August 17, 1943 in New York, New York
Bruce Springsteen, singer and songwriter - born September 23, 1949 in Freehold, New Jersey

Presenters included Meryl Streep, Martin Scorsese, Herbie Hancock, Carl Reiner, Frank Langella, Martin Short, Aretha Franklin, Jon Stewart and Ron Kovic.

Kennedy Center Chairman Stephen A. Schwarzman states, "With his hilarious movies and musicals, Mel Brooks has created comedic gems that will keep us laughing for years to come. Dave Brubeck's genius has dazzled us for six decades and has helped to define an American art form. Grace Bumbry helped to break the color barrier on her way to one of the most illustrious operatic careers in the 20th century. One of America's greatest cinematic actors, Robert De Niro has demonstrated a legendary commitment ot his characters and has co-founded one of the world's major film festivals. With his gritty and honest songs that speak to the everyman, Bruce Springteen has always had his finger on the pulse of America."

The show will broadcast on Tuesday, December 30 on CBS 8:00pm (CT)