Kennedy Center Honors 2026: Paul Anka, David Foster, Andy Garcia, David Mamet and Barbara Mandrell Named

The Kennedy Center announced its 2026 class of honorees on Monday: singer-songwriter Paul Anka, music producer and composer David Foster, actor Andy Garcia, playwright David Mamet and country singer Barbara Mandrell, the Associated Press reported. The five will be recognised for lifetime contributions to the performing arts at the 49th Kennedy Center Honors.

This year's program will be held on Dec. 7 at Washington's Capital One Arena — the first time the ceremony has taken place away from the Kennedy Center building itself, according to the AP. The move comes as President Donald Trump battles with a federal court over his plans to renovate the building and add his name to it.

The honorees span music, film and theatre. Anka wrote or co-wrote songs including “My Way” and the theme to “The Tonight Show” in the Johnny Carson era; Foster has produced records for some of the industry's biggest artists; Garcia is known for roles including “The Godfather Part III” and “The Untouchables”; Mamet won the Pulitzer Prize for “Glengarry Glen Ross”; and Mandrell, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, had hits including “Years” and “Sleeping Single in a Double Bed.”

The Kennedy Center Honors were established in 1978 and have been given to a broad range of artists. In a statement quoted by the AP, Trump said the Center was recognising artists whose lifelong work has shaped American culture and inspired generations of audiences.