Photos: Kennedy Center Honors 2016 gala

President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama arrive for a reception to honor recipients of the 2016 Kennedy Center Honors in the East Room of the White House in Washington, D.C.

(Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press)

Dec. 4, 2016 7:07 PM PT

Shonda Rhimes and Scott Brown arrive at the State Department for the Kennedy Center Honors gala dinner.

(Kevin Wolf / Associated Press)

Don Cheadle and his wife, Bridgid Coulter

(Ron Sachs / EPA)

Kennedy Center Honors 2013 recipient Martina Arroyo and Italian opera singer and 2000 Kennedy Center Honor recipient Plácido Domingo

(Ron Sachs / Getty Images)

Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood

(Ron Sachs / EPA)

Bonnie Raitt, Clive Davis and Yuja Wang

(Left and center - Ron Sachs/Getty Images / Right - Kevin Wolf / Associated Press)

Choreographer Edward Villella and his wife, Canadian former competitive figure skater Linda Carbonetto

(Ron Sachs / EPA)

Kennedy Center Honors 2014 recipient Herbie Hancock and his wife, Gigi

(Ron Sachs / Getty Images)

Chinese American musician Yo-Yo Ma and an unidentified guest

(Ron Sachs / EPA)

Jeff Goldblum and his wife, Emilie Livingston

(Ron Sachs / EPA)

Debbie Allen, left, and her sister, Phylicia Rashad

(Ron Sachs / EPA)

Opera singer Harolyn Blackwell and Peter Greer

(Ron Sachs / Getty Images)

President Barack Obama speaks during a ceremony for the 2016 Kennedy Center honorees.

(Aude Guerrucci / Getty Images)

Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmit of the rock band the Eagles at the 39th Kennedy Center Honors.

(Ron Sachs / Getty Images)

Honoree actor Al Pacino listens to President Barack Obama.

(Aude Guerrucci / Getty Images)

Recipients of the 2016 Kennedy Center Honors, gospel and blues singer Mavis Staples and musician James Taylor.

(Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press)

Actor Al Pacino, one of the five recipients of the 39th Kennedy Center Honors, kisses another recipient, gospel and blues singer Mavis Staples.

(Ron Sachs / EPA)

Secretary of State John Kerry shakes hands with Al Pacino.

(Ron Sachs / EPA)

The recipients of the 39th Kennedy Center Honors pose for a group photo following a dinner hosted by United States Secretary of State John Kerry at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.. The 2016 honorees are: bottom row - screen and stage actor Al Pacino, gospel and blues singer Mavis Staples, Argentine pianist Martha Argerich, and musician James Taylor. Top row: Joe Walsh, Don Henley and Timothy B. Schmit of the rock band the Eagles.

(Ron Sachs / Getty Images)

Recipients of the 2016 Kennedy Center Honors, actor Al Pacino and musician James Taylor, applaud gospel and blues singer Mavis Staples as she is recognized.

(Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press)

President Barack Obama jokes with three band members of the Eagles during a ceremony for the 2016 Kennedy Center honorees.

(Aude Guerrucci / Getty Images)

Eagles band members Don Henley, left, Joe Walsh and Timothy B. Schmit accept applause at the Kennedy Center Honors gala Sunday in Washington, D.C. The band was to receive the award last year when co-founder Glenn Frey fell ill and later died. (Manuel Balce Ceneta / AP)

President Barack Obama shakes hands with actor Al Pacino.

(Aude Guerrucci / Getty Images)

Former Beatles member Ringo Starr leaves after President Barack Obama speaks during a ceremony for the 2016 Kennedy Center honorees.

(Aude Guerrucci / Getty Images)

Recipients of the 2016 Kennedy Center Honors award and members of the Eagles band, from left, Don Henley, Joe Walsh, and Timothy Schmit, applaud during the Kennedy Center Honors gala.

(Manuel Balce Ceneta / Associated Press)

The 2016 Kennedy Center honorees -- actor Al Pacino, Argentine pianist Martha Argerich, singer James Taylor, singer Mavis Staples -- alongside First Lady Michelle Obama and President Barack Obama, listen to the national anthem.

(Aude Guerrucci / EPA)