Kennedy Center Honors 2021: Photos Of Joe & Jill Biden & More

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December 6, 2021 9:59AM EST

The Kennedy Center Honors awarded lifetime achievement awards to Bette Midler, Lorne Michaels, Joni Mitchell, Berry Gordy, and Justino Díaz for the 2021 ceremony. Check out photos from the event here.

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Kennedy Center Honors 2021

Kennedy Center Honors 2021
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President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden stand for the ‘Star Spangled Banner’ at the 2021 Kennedy Center Honors. (Left)

Each year, the Kennedy Center celebrates artistic excellence by honoring a handful of artists and entertainment icons with a yearly lifetime achievement award. For 2021, honorees included Bette Midler, Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, folk music icon Joni Mitchell, Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, and opera singer Justino Díaz. The ceremony marked the return of the president, after former President Donald Trump didn’t attend the ceremony for his term in office.

Plenty of stars gathered to pay tribute to the honorees. David Letterman hosted the whole show, while others came to celebrate the icons. Some of the people who helped celebrate included Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Goldie Hawn, Billy Porter, Michael Che, and many more. Before the ceremony, Biden celebrated the honorees at the White House.

Scroll through our gallery to check out photos from the ceremony!

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Lorne Michael, Bette Midler, Justino Diaz, Joni Mitchell, & Berry Gordy

Lorne Michael, Bette Midler, Justino Diaz, Joni Mitchell, & Berry Gordy
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The honorees take a photo before the Kennedy Center Honors ceremony on December 5. Lorne Michael, Bette Midler, Justino Diaz, Joni Mitchell, & Berry Gordy were all given the award.

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Joni Mitchell

Joni Mitchell
Kevin Wolf/AP/Shutterstock

Singer-songwriter Joni Mitchell was among those honored at the Kennedy Center. The ‘Blue’ singer received musical salutes from newer artists, inspired by her work.

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Lorne Michaels

Lorne Michaels
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‘Saturday Night Live’ creator Lorne Michaels waves during a ceremony at the White House before the Kennedy Center honors. Biden made a few jokes at Lorne’s expense during the White House celebration.

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Bette Midler

Bette Midler
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Bette Midler plays to the crowd from the balcony at the Kennedy Center. The actress was absolutely stunning in all-white for the ceremony.

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Martin Short, Kenan Thompson, and Norah O’Donnell

Martin Short, Kenan Thompson, and Norah O’Donnell
Kevin Wolf/AP/Shutterstock

Journalist Norah O’Donnell posed for a photo with comedy legends Martin Short and Kenan Thompson. Kenan and Martin went for classic black suits, while Norah stunned in a red dress.

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David Letterman

David Letterman
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David Letterman arrived in a black suit and a matching face mask for the ceremony. He was the emcee for the show, and celebrated that the ‘presidential box [was] occupied.’

December 6, 2021, 9:04AM
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Kate McKinnon

Kate McKinnon
Kevin Wolf/AP/Shutterstock

Kate McKinnon was all smiles at the Kennedy Center Honors, as she arrived on the red carpet. She looked gorgeous in a simple, all-black outfit.

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Berry Gordy

Berry Gordy
Kevin Wolf/AP/Shutterstock

Berry Gordy looked incredibly happy as he arrived for the ceremony. The Motown founder rocked a simple tuxedo for the show.

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Jimmy Fallon

Jimmy Fallon
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Jimmy Fallon looked excited to celebrate Lorne Michaels. The ‘Tonight Show’ host and ‘SNL’ alum struck a pose, as he stopped on the red carpet.

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Kristen Wiig

Kristen Wiig
Kevin Wolf/AP/Shutterstock

Kristen Wiig was absolutely stunning, as she arrived for the Kennedy Center Honors. The ‘SNL’ alum sported a light blue dress, with a distinguished gold stripe down the middle.

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Seth Meyers

Seth Meyers
Kevin Wolf/AP/Shutterstock

Seth Meyers looked dapper, as he grinned at cameras on the red carpet. The ‘Late Show’ host and former ‘SNL’ head writer sported a black tux for the show.

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Mikhail Baryshnikov & Lisa Rinehart

Mikhail Baryshnikov & Lisa Rinehart
Kevin Wolf/AP/Shutterstock

Dancer Mikhail Baryshnikov sported a black tuxedo on the red carpet for the Kennedy Center Honors. His wife, Lisa Rinhart sparkled in a gorgeous gown.

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President Joe Biden & Jill Biden

President Joe Biden & Jill Biden
Carolyn Kaster/AP/Shutterstock

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden waved to the crowd from the presidential box at the Kenendy Center. The president wore a tux, while his wife stunned ina green dress. They stood alongside Vice President Kamala Harris and Second Gentleman Doug Emhoff.

December 6, 2021, 9:04AM