Amal Clooney looks ravishing in red at the Kennedy Center Honors alongside husband George Clooney

George Clooney and his wife, Amal, looked every inch the perfect couple as they arrived for the formal Artist’s Dinner honoring the recipients of the 45th Annual Kennedy Center Honors at the Department of State in Washington, D.C. on Saturday. 

Amal looked ravishing in a red dress that flattered her figure with a long cape that dragged behind her. George looked handsome as usual in a tuxedo as the couple posed together on the red carpet.

The Kennedy Center Honors are annual honors given to those in the performing arts for their lifetime of contributions to American culture.

The Kennedy Awards have been presented annually since 1978, culminating each December in a gala celebrating five honorees.

Clooney commented on the honor saying, ‘Growing up in a small town in Kentucky I could never have imagined that someday I’d be the one sitting in the balcony at the Kennedy Center Honors. 

‘To be mentioned in the same breath with the rest of these incredible artists is an honor. This is a genuinely exciting surprise for the whole Clooney family.’

Dressed to impress: Amal’s red dress flattered her figure with a long cape that dragged behind her

Honoree: George looked handsome as usual in a tuxedo as the couple enjoyed their time together on the red carpet

Rare honor: The Kennedy Awards have been presented annually since 1978, with five honorees selected each year

Other 2022 Honorees include: contemporary Christian and pop singer-songwriter Amy Grant; legendary singer of soul, Gospel, R&B, and pop, Gladys Knight; Cuban-born American composer, conductor, and educator Tania León; and iconic Irish rock band U2, comprised of band members Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr.

George Clooney’s achievements as a performer and filmmaker have earned him two Academy Awards, five Golden Globes, including the Cecil B. DeMille Award, four SAG awards, a BAFTA award, two Critics’ Choice Awards, an Emmy, four National Board of Review Awards, and the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award.

The event will be televised Wednesday, December 28th on CBS. 

In great company: Other 2022 Honorees include: contemporary Christian singe Amy Grant; legendary soul and Gospel singer Gladys Knight; Cuban-born American composer Tania León; and iconic Irish rock band U2 (Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr.)

How should I fix it?: George playfully fixed Amal’s dress as they prepared for the perfect shot

What a nice guy: Amal smiled as her husband fixed the long cape so it fell correctly behind her

Films from his production company with Grant Heslov, Smokehouse Pictures, include Warner Bros’ Academy Award®-winning drama Argo, Good Night, and Good Luck, The Midnight Sky, The Ides of March, Boys in the Boat, and Ticket to Paradise.

He has also starred in films such as Out of Sight, O Brother, Where Art Thou?, Syriana, Michael Clayton, Up in the Air, The Descendants, Gravity, and the Oceans trilogy.

Before his film career, Clooney starred in several television series, becoming best known to TV audiences for his five years on the hit NBC drama ER. His portrayal of Dr. Douglas Ross earned him Golden Globe, SAG, People’s Choice, and Emmy Award nominations.

He’s a big deal: George Clooney’s achievements as a performer and filmmaker have earned him two Academy Awards, five Golden Globes, four SAG awards, a BAFTA award, two Critics’ Choice Awards, an Emmy, four National Board of Review Awards, and the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award

Some of his films: Movies from his production company include Warner Bros’ Academy Award-winning drama Argo, Good Night, and Good Luck, The Midnight Sky, The Ides of March, Boys in the Boat, and Ticket to Paradise

His parents came too: (L-R) Amal Clooney, George Clooney, Nick Clooney and Nina Clooney arrive for the formal Artist’s Dinner honoring the recipients of the 45th Annual Kennedy Honors

Among the many honors received as a result of his humanitarian efforts was the 2007 Peace Summit Award, given at the eighth World Summit of Nobel Peace Prize Laureates, and the 2010 Robert F. Kennedy Ripple of Hope Award.

Clooney has produced three telethons: The Tribute to Heroes (post 9/11), Tsunami Aid: A Concert of Hope, and Hope for Haiti Now, the latter of which raised a record 66 million dollars from the public.

In August of 2016, George and his wife Amal launched the Clooney Foundation for Justice.

His own charity: In August of 2016, George and his wife Amal launched the Clooney Foundation for Justice

Bono and his wife Ali Hewson posed on the red carpet as he was honored with his bandmates from the legendary group U2.

Bono cut a stylish figure in a sharp black suit with his hair slicked back and rose colored glasses.

Ali looked lovely in an elegant black dress with sheer lace sleeves and wore her sleek black hair straight and parted to the side. 

Commenting on his Honor Bono said, ‘In December 1980, we made our first trip across the Atlantic to America. Our first show was at The Ritz in New York City, the second, The Bayou in D.C. We had big dreams then, fueled in part by the commonly held belief at home that America smiles on Ireland. 

‘And it turned out to be true, yet again. But even in the wilder thoughts, we never imagined that 40 years on, we would be invited back to receive one of the nation’s greatest honours…It has been a four-decade love affair with the country and its people, its artists, and culture. 

Bono and wife Ali Hewson pose on the red carpet

U2 band members Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr., The Edge, and Bono pose for a group photo during the reception for Kennedy Center honorees ahead of the official gala at the State Department in Washington, D.C.

Guitar player, The Edge and his wife Morleigh Steinberg. David Howell Evans, better known as the Edge or simply Edge, is an English-born Irish musician, singer, and songwriter best known as the lead guitarist, keyboardist, and backing vocalist for U2

Kennedy Center honoree U2 band member The Edge and wife Morleigh Steinberg posd with their children on the red carpet

‘We consider America to be a home away from home and we are very grateful to the Kennedy Center Honors for welcoming us into this great clan of extraordinary artists.’

Bono, The Edge, Adam Clayton, and Larry Mullen Jr. met as teenagers at Dublin’s Mount Temple School, and in 1978, U2 was formed. From the beginning, U2 were marked out by their drive and ambition, forming as a band—as they’ve said—’before they could play.’

Forty years later, U2 is acknowledged as one of the best live acts in the world. The band has toured the globe countless times, released 14 studio albums, sold 170 million albums, and won numerous awards, including 22 Grammys and Amnesty International’s Ambassador of Conscience award. 

Honoree U2 band member Adam Clayton looked handsome in a black suit

Adam Charles Clayton (born 13 March 1960) is an English-born Irish musician who plays bass guitar for U2. He has resided in County Dublin, Ireland since his family moved to Malahide in 1965, when he was five years old

U2 were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005 and have twice been nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song: in 2003 for ‘The Hands That Built America’ for Gangs of New York, and in 2014 for ‘Ordinary Love’ for Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

November 2021 marked the 30th anniversary of U2’s groundbreaking album Achtung Baby. 

Honoree Amy Grant looked beautiful in a sleeveless black dress as she posed with her husband, Vince Gill who wore a black suit and tie.

Commenting on her award, Amy said, ‘Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine ever receiving this prestigious Kennedy Center Honors. 

‘Through the years, I’ve watched so many of my heroes serenaded by colleagues and fellow artists, always moved by the ability of music and film to bring us together and to see the best in each other. I cannot wait to celebrate with my fellow honorees, friends, and family. Thank you for widening the circle to include all of us.’

honoree Amy Grant, and her husband, Vince Gill, arrives for the formal Artist’s Dinner

Amy Grant’s career spans more than 40 years and stretches from her roots in gospel into becoming an iconic pop star, songwriter, television personality, and philanthropist. 

With three multi-platinum albums, six platinum albums and four gold albums, her total career album sales have exceeded 30 million and over 1 billion global streams. Grant’s chart success has been consistent throughout her career with six No. 1 hits, 10 Top 40 pop singles, 17 Top 40 Adult Contemporary tracks, and multiple Contemporary Christian chart-toppers.

In addition to her six Grammy Awards, Grant has been awarded a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as well as the Music City Walk of Fame and the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. 

Singer Sheryl Crow poses on the red carpet at the reception for Kennedy Center honorees

Sheryl Crow arrives for the formal Artist’s Dinner honoring the recipients

Conventional wisdom has it that Grant put Contemporary Christian Music on the map, becoming the first Contemporary Christian artist to have a platinum record, the first to hit No. 1 on the Pop charts and the first to perform at the Grammy Awards. 

Grant lives in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband Vince Gill and their large extended family.

Sheryl Crow arrives for the formal Artist’s Dinner honoring the recipients.

Honoree Gladys Knight and her husband, Michael McDowell arrive for the formal Artist’s Dinner.

Commenting on her award Gladys said, ‘I’m humbled beyond words to be included amongst this prestigious group of individuals, both past and present. You could never have told me as a young girl starting my career that I would be honored on a stage such as this, with artists and humanitarians such as these—it just wouldn’t have seemed possible. 

Honoree Gladys Knight and her husband, Michael McDowell arrive for the formal Artist’s Dinner

‘It would have been the dream of all dreams. I have been blessed with so much in my life and this certainly stands with those achievements at the top of that list. To be honored as a Kennedy Center Honoree is among the highlights of my career.’

Knight has long been one of a very few at her vocal level—truly an icon in the music industry. Unmatched in her artistry, she is a seven-time Grammy Award-winner with No. 1 hits in Pop, R&B, and Adult Contemporary, and she has also triumphed in film and television.

Georgia-born, Knight began performing gospel music at age four and sang along with her brother Bubba, sister Brenda, and two cousins who all formed The Pips. In 1962, the classic group was renamed Gladys Knight & The Pips.

Gladys Knight poses on the red carpet at the reception for Kennedy Center honorees ahead of the official gala

The group’s first album debuted in 1960 with Knight, at just 16, singing lead. With the Pips singing lush harmonies and providing graceful choreography, the group went on to achieve musical icon status. 

Hits like ‘I Heard It Through the Grapevine’ and ‘If I Were Your Woman’ along with Top 10 singles like ‘Neither One of Us (Wants to be the First to Say Goodbye),’ ‘Best Thing to Ever Happen to Me,’ and the #1 smash hit ‘Midnight Train to Georgia’ established the group as the premiere pop/R&B vocal ensemble in the world. 

Knight enjoyed another #1 hit in 1985 teaming with Stevie Wonder, Elton John, and Dionne Warwick on ‘That’s What Friends are For.’

Gladys has recorded more than 38 albums and has earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and received Lifetime Achievement Awards from the Rhythm & Blues Hall of Fame and the BET Awards along with a Legend Award from the Soul Train Awards.

Honoree and jazz pianist Herbie Hancock

honoree and jazz pianist Herbie Hancock poses on the red carpet at the reception for Kennedy Center honorees ahead of the official gala 

Pearl Jam lead singer, Eddie Vedder looked sharp in a all-black suit and tie alongside his wife Jill McCormick who matched in a lovely black dress.

Singer Brandi Carlile and her wife Catherine Shepherd posed together in black and white suits.

Previous Kennedy Center honoree Garth Brooks and his wife, Tricia Yearwood also attended the event to honor the new recipients.

Better man: Eddie Vedder and wife Jill McCormick posed on the red carpet

Singer Brandi Carlile and her wife Catherine Shepherd looked as in love as ever in matching black and white ensembles

Previous Kennedy Center honoree Garth Brooks and his wife, Tricia Yearwood, arrive for the formal Artist’s Dinner honoring the recipients of the 45th Annual Kennedy

Richard Kind and Diane Dewhirst arrive for the formal Artist’s Dinner

Actor Don Cheadle and his wife, Bridgid Coulter posed for a snap on the red carpet

Honoree Cuban-born composer, conductor and educator Tania Leon, center left, posed with her entourage.

Commenting on her award, Leon said, ‘Little did I imagine when studying in La Habana that life was going to grace me with such a distinction! My first thoughts went to my ancestors: they believed in my dreams, and what we lacked in material wealth, they made up for in spirit, encouragement, and support. 

‘My heartfelt thanks go to the many people who have blessed my path by helping my talent to blossom and by giving me the chance to be heard. I am incredibly humbled to join such a prestigious family of artists, and deeply grateful to the Kennedy Center for bestowing me with this incredible honor.’

Born in Havana, Cuba, Tania León’s orchestral work Stride, commissioned by the New York Philharmonic, was awarded the 2021 Pulitzer Prize in Music.

Honoree Cuban-born composer, conductor and educator Tania Leon, center left, poses with her entourage

Recent premieres include works for Los Angeles Philharmonic, Arkansas Symphony Orchestra, NDR Symphony Orchestra, Grossman Ensemble, International Contemporary Ensemble, and Jennifer Koh’s project, Alone Together. 

León has received Honorary Doctorate Degrees from Colgate University, Oberlin, SUNY Purchase College, and The Curtis Institute of Music, and served as U.S. Artistic Ambassador of American Culture in Madrid, Spain. 

A CUNY Professor Emerita, she was awarded a 2018 United States Artists Fellowship, and Chamber Music America’s 2022 National Service Award.

Kennedy Center honorees actor and filmmaker George Clooney and U2 band members The Edge and Larry Mullen Jr., gather before a group photo during the reception for Kennedy Center honorees ahead of the official gala

honorees actor and filmmaker George Clooney, contemporary Christian and pop singer-songwriter Amy Grant and U2 band members The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr., and Adam Clayton gather before a group photo during the reception for Kennedy Center honorees ahead of the official gala

The recipients of the 45th Annual Kennedy Center Honors pose for a group photo following the Artists Dinner at the Department of State in Washington, DC, USA, 03 December 2022

The 2022 Honorees: (Back Row L-R) Members of the Irish rock band U2, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr., The Edge, and Bono. (Front Row L-R) US singer-songwriter Amy Grant, legendary US singer of soul, Gospel, R&B, and pop Gladys Knight, US actor George Clooney and Cuban-born American composer, conductor, and educator Tania Leon

The recipients of the 45th Annual Kennedy Center Honors posed for a group photo following the Artists Dinner.

The 2022 Honorees are (Back Row L-R) Members of the Irish rock band U2, Adam Clayton, Larry Mullen Jr., The Edge, and Bono, (Front Row L-R) US singer-songwriter Amy Grant, legendary US singer of soul, Gospel, R&B, and pop Gladys Knight, US actor George Clooney and Cuban-born American composer, conductor, and educator Tania Leon.

U2’s Bono and actor George Clooney laugh during a group photo

 from left, Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr., Amy Grant and George Clooney chat after the ceremony

2022 Kennedy Center Honorees, from left, Bono, Adam Clayton, The Edge, Larry Mullen Jr., and Amy Grant talk with George Clooney following the State Department for the Kennedy Center Honors