The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts has announced the recipients of the 2025 Kennedy Center Honors. The 48th class of honorees includes Tony Award-winning actor Michael Crawford, Grammy Award-winning disco pioneer Gloria Gaynor, the rock band KISS (Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer), Grammy-winning country music singer-songwriter George Strait and Academy Award-nominated actor Sylvester Stallone.
The Kennedy Center’s annual gala, which celebrates lifetime achievement in the arts, will take place on Dec. 7 at the Kennedy Center Opera House. The ceremony will be televised on CBS and stream on Paramount+ at a date to be announced.
“For nearly half a century, this tradition has celebrated those whose voices and visions tell our nation’s story and share it with the world,” said Kennedy Center president ambassador Richard Grenell. “This year’s honorees have left an indelible mark on our history, reminding us that the arts are for everyone.”
As is often the case, each slate of honorees includes some connection to Broadway, and this year is no exception. Crawford originated the titular role in both the West End and Broadway productions of “The Phantom of the Opera,” winning leading actor Olivier and Tony Awards for his performance. Stallone, while known for his screen performances in the “Rocky” and “Rambo” franchises, served as book writer (along with Thomas Meehan) and producer of the Broadway musical adaptation of the aforementioned “Rocky.”
The 2025 Kennedy Center honorees were selected based on the recommendation of the Kennedy Center’s special honors advisory committee.
