Kennedy Center Honors 2012

David Letterman attends the Kennedy Center Honors reception at the White House on Dec. 2, 2012, in Washington.

The Kennedy Center Honors recognized seven individuals - Buddy Guy, Dustin Hoffman, David Letterman, Natalia Makarova, John Paul Jones, Jimmy Page and Robert Plant - for their lifetime contributions to American culture through the performing arts.

Credit: Brendan Hoffman/Getty Images