Kennedy Center Honors 2024

The Kennedy Center Honors are for lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts. There are, however, some glaring omissions. Back in 2020 I made a list of overlooked artists who deserved to win, but shockingly hadn't. This past December one of my original nine, Renee Fleming, got her award. Here is my updated list, then, with two new additions, bringing the total to ten:

Francis Ford Coppola, 84.

1. Francis Ford Coppola. Director of The Godfather, The Conversation, and Apocalypse Now. Granted, Coppola hasn’t made the same quality of films since the 1970s, but he’s still a landmark film director.

Prior Kennedy Center Honorees: Martin Scorsese, George Lucas, Steven Spielberg.

Alternate: Coen Brothers.

Richards (80), Jagger (80), and Wood (76).

2. The Rolling Stones. Essential rock band who recorded Exile on Main Street, Let It Bleed, and Sticky Fingers. Famous songs include “Satisfaction,” “Gimme Shelter,” “Miss You”.

Prior Kennedy Center Honorees: The Who, Led Zeppelin, The Eagles.

Alternate: Public Enemy.

Neil Young, 78.

3. Neil Young. Singer-songwriter known for his work with Crosby, Stills, and Nash and Crazy Horse. Famous songs include “Heart of Gold,” “Like a Hurricane,” “Rockin’ in the Free World”.

Prior Kennedy Center Honorees: Bob Dylan, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen.

Alternate: Van Morrison.

Alan Menken, 74.

4. Alan Menken. Composer of film scores including Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and Pocahontas. EGOT-winner who provided the music for the Disney Renaissance and Broadway shows.

Prior Kennedy Center Honorees: John Williams, Andrew Lloyd Weber, Stephen Sondheim.

Alternate: Hans Zimmer.

Willie Colon, 73.

5. Willie Colon. Salsa pioneer – a musical format that is so far unrepresented by the Honors – and one of the last men standing of the famed Fania Records. Inducted into multiple Halls of Fame and recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award from the Latin Recording Academy.

Prior Kennedy Center Honorees: Gloria Estefan, Linda Ronstadt, Wayne Shorter.

Alternate: Arturo Sandoval

Denzel Washington, 69.

6. Denzel Washington. One of the finest actors of a generation, winning multiple Oscars, a Tony, and many more. Also was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Prior Kennedy Center Honorees: Sidney Poitier, James Earl Jones, Morgan Freeman.

Alternate: Samuel L. Jackson

Whoopi Goldberg, 68.

7. Whoopi Goldberg. Actress and comedienne from The Sister Act, The Color Purple, Ghost. EGOT winner, now known for her television role on The View.

Prior Kennedy Center Honorees: Lily Tomlin, Carol Burnett, Lucille Ball.

Alternate: Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

Daniel Day-Lewis, 66.

8. Daniel Day-Lewis. Actor from My Left Foot, There Will Be Blood, and Lincoln. Generally regarded as one of the best actors of the past thirty years, with three Oscars.

Prior Kennedy Center Honorees: Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Dustin Hoffman.

Alternate: Leonardo DiCaprio.

Aaron Sorkin, 62.

9. Aaron Sorkin. Screenwriter and playwright known for A Few Good Men, The West Wing, and The Social Network. Author known for his quick, witty dialogue and prestige drama movies.

Prior Kennedy Center Honorees: Neil Simon, Norman Lear, Edward Albee.

Alternate: Tony Kushner.

Audra McDonald, 53.

10. Audra McDonald. Broadway actress and singer known for “A Raisin in the Sun,” “Porgy and Bess,” and “Ragtime”. Has won more Tony awards than any other person.

Prior Kennedy Center Honorees: Helen Hayes, Mary Martin, Julie Andrews.

Alternate: Bernadette Peters.