Famous singers and actors Barbara Streisand, Morgan Freeman and the British rockers from the Who (Roger Daltrey and Pete Townshend) have been named as the winners of this year’s Kennedy Center Awards.

At the black tie gala held in Washington DC on 7 December, the four performers/artists mentioned above along with choreographer Twyla Tharp and country music singer George Jones will be honored by the U.S. President for making lasting contributions to arts.

"With their extraordinary genius and tenacity, the 2008 honorees have redefined the way we see, hear and feel the performing arts," Kennedy Center Chairman Stephen Schwarzman stated.

The annual event features dinner at the State Department, reception at the White House and a gala at the Kennedy Center where Hollywood mixes with politics. President George W. Bush and first lady Laura Bush will receive the famous artists at the White House. The whole event will be broadcasted by CBS.

However all eyes will be on Barbara Streisand, especially when she will be greeted by Bush. The 66-year-old Grammy and Oscar winner has ridiculed the U.S. President in the past.

"Not only is he poisoning our air and water - he's poisoning our political system as well. How could such a destructive man be so popular with the American people?" Streisand asked in a Democrat memo called "Nice Guys Finish Last or Where We Go From Here."

However, Streisand said that she was "humbled and thrilled" to be on the list.

Meanwhile, “Dark Knight” star Morgan Freeman is currently at his Mississippi residence recovering from a car crash which occurred last month and led to his divorce.