Story

HONORING
PERFORMING ARTISTS

THOSE WHo

STOOD THE

TEST OF TIME

George Stevens, Jr. has devoted a good deal of his career to heralding and celebrating artistic work of quality and excellence that has enriched the nation’s cultural identity. For five decades, he has masterfully told the stories and shined the spotlight on hundreds of notable figures whose lifetime achievements in American cinema and culture have enhanced our national life and cultural traditions.

He envisioned and created the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award, the Kennedy Center Honors, and The National Sports Awards — three prestigious forms of national recognition that honor those whose work has stood the test of time.

George Stevens, Jr. and Cary Grant applaud Alfred Hitchcock, recipient of AFI Life Achievement Award.

1979

George Stevens, Jr. with BruceSpringsteen as he rehearses his performance honoring Bob Dylan, a Kennedy Center Honors recipient

1997

National Sports Award recipient Muhammad Ali and George Stevens, Jr.

2000

"It grew from the idea instilled in me by my father that the important films were the ones that stood the test of time.
‍
If there was religion in our family, it was this idea of quality and excellence."

George Stevens, Jr.

My Place in the Sun

Sidney Poitier and George Stevens, Jr. at AFI Life Achievement Award

2017

Audrey Hepburn and George Stevens, Jr. at the rehearsal for the AFI Life Achievement Award: A Tribute to Fred Astaire

1981

Lauren Bacall and Bob Dylan, recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors, embrace the audience's applause

1997

Annette Benning, Warren Beatty and George Stevens, Jr. at the U.S. State Department dinner for the Kennedy Center Honors

2001

The award-winning production team of Nick Vanoff, Don Mischer, and George Stevens, Jr. at a Kennedy Center Honors rehearsal.

1986

President Bill Clinton introduces The Great Ones at the White House — recipients of The National Sports Awards: Muhammad Ali, Arnold Palmer, Wilma Rudolph (not shown Ted Williams, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar)

1993

AFI Life Achievement Award

The American Film Institute Life Achievement Award was created by George Stevens, Jr. in 1973 so that great cinematic accomplishments of the past are properly recognized, and masters of the film may take their deserved place in history beside leaders in other arts. The Award is presented annually to individuals whose enduring work has advanced the art of film in a fundamental way.

George Stevens, Sr. and Orson Welles at AFI Life Achievement Award Dinner

1975

James Cagney with George Stevens, Jr.

1974

Bette Davis

1977

AFI Life Achievement Award

James Cagney accepts the Award in 1974

Kennedy Center Honors

George Stevens, Jr. conceived the Kennedy Center Honors in 1978 as an annual celebration to honor artists for their significant contributions to American culture through the performing arts. His vision was kindled, in part, by John F. Kennedy’s hope that one day the nation would reward achievement in the arts as it does for achievement in business or statecraft. The Honors has been presented annually since 1978 in a star-filled performance at the Kennedy Center Opera House.

Cary Grant with President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan

1981

Katharine Hepburn

1990

1995 Honoree B.B. King performs in tribute to Morgan Freeman

2008

Heart performs Stairway to Heaven

2012: John Paul Jones, Robert Plant, and Jimmy Page of Led Zeppelin

“

The Kennedy Center Honors remind us anything is possible. Watching artists be recognized on such a grand scale renews belief in the arts and ourselves. Above all, we’re given a sense of hope that our own hard work and talents can make a positive difference in the world around us.”

CBS News

2014

“

The last bit even drew a tear from my cold eyes.”

Katharine Hepburn

1990 Kennedy Center Honors recipient

“

I look forward to an America that won’t be afraid of grace and beauty . . . which will reward achievement in the arts as we reward achievement in business or statecraft.”