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Meryl Streep, Neil Diamond to be honoured by Kennedy Centre

Published Thursday, Sep 8 2011, 16:05 BST | By Justin Harp | Add comment

Meryl Streep at Good Housekeeping's 'Shine On' celebrating 125 Years of Women Making Their Mark

Meryl Streep and Neil Diamond are among the recipients of this year's Kennedy Centre Honors.

The pair will receive a special tribute for their contributions to the Performing Arts in Washington DC on December 4.

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma, saxophonist Sonny Rollins and Broadway legend Barbara Cook will also be recognised at the gala.

Kennedy Centre Chairman David M Rubenstein said that he is very proud to be saluting this year's nominees.

"This year, the Kennedy Centre celebrates its 40th anniversary by selecting five extraordinary individuals whose collective artistry has contributed significantly to the cultural life of our nation and the world," Rubenstein commented.

Lucille Ball, Julie Andrews, Bruce Springsteen and Oprah Winfrey have been honoured in previous years.

The 2011 Kennedy Centre Honors will air on December 27 on CBS.

Streep will next star as former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in biopic The Iron Lady, which opens on December 16 in the US and January 6 in the UK.

> Neil Diamond gets engaged to girlfriend

Watch a trailer for The Iron Lady below: