Kennedy Center names 2026 honorees as Trump renovation battle moves show offsite

PBS NewsHour · Kim Chandler; David Fischer; Associated Press · 2026-11-02 18:11 UTC

The Kennedy Center has announced that Paul Anka, David Foster, Andy Garcia, David Mamet and Barbara Mandrell will be honored at this year's Kennedy Center Honors.

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Kennedy Center said Monday that Paul Anka, David Foster, Andy Garcia, David Mamet and Barbara Mandrell would be recognized at this year's Kennedy Center Honors, which will be held away from the iconic performing arts venue for the first time as President Donald Trump battles with a federal court over his plans to renovate the building and add his name to it.

All of the nominees have had substantial careers in their respective fields. Mamet is among the most acclaimed playwrights of his time, known for his hard-boiled dialogue in "Glengarry Glen Ross" and "American Buffalo" and other works. Mandrell is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame whose many hits include "Years" and "Sleeping Single in a Double Bed" and Foster is among the most successful producers of the past 50 years, working with everyone from Chicago to Natalie Cole.

Anka has written or co-written such iconic songs as "My Way" and the theme to the "Tonight" show when Johnny Carson was host. Garcia's acting credits include "The Untouchables," "The Godfather Part III" and the HBO film "For Love or Country."

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