Ellen DeGeneres, Michael Jordan honoured with Presidential Medal of Freedom

Everybody on this stage has touched me in a very powerful, personal way, shared Obama

United States President Barack Obama has decorated noted comedian Ellen DeGeneres and 20 other actors, musicians, athletes and innovators with the Presidential Medal of Freedom -- the nation's highest civilian award.

"Everybody on this stage has touched me in a very powerful, personal way, in ways that they probably couldn't imagine," Obama said on the occasion.  On Ellen receiving the award, Obama said, "Ellen DeGeneres has a way of making people laugh at something rather than someone, except when I danced on her show." He also added that it was easy to forget that she had risked her career nearly two decades ago by coming out of the closet.



In the world of film, the president honoured Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Cicely Tyson and Robert Redford. Philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates were also recognised for their work with the Gates Foundation.

Melinda and I are deeply humbled to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom for our foundation’s efforts to create a more equal world.

— Bill Gates (@BillGates) November 23, 2016

Micheal Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar were also among the recipients of the civilian honour.

Here is the full list of 2016 Presidential Medal of Freedom Recipient, as provided by the White House:

Michael Jordan
Michael Jordan is one of the greatest athletes of all time. Jordan played 15 seasons in the NBA for the Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards; he is currently a principal owner and chairman of the Charlotte Hornets. During his career, he won six championships, five Most Valuable Player awards, and appeared in 14 All-Star games.


Sharing how Micheal's name was synonymous with excellence, Obama said, "He's more than just a logo, more than just an internet meme, more than just a charitable donor or businessman committed to diversity. There is a reason you call somebody 'the Michael Jordan of', the Michael Jordan of neurosurgery, or the Michael Jordan of rabbis, or the Michael Jordan of outrigger canoeing. Everyone knows what you're talking about."


Ellen DeGeneres
Ellen DeGeneres is an award-winning comedian who has hosted her popular daytime talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, since 2003 with her trademarked humour, humility, and optimism. In 2003 Ellen lent her voice to a forgetful but unforgettable little fish named Dory in Finding Nemo. She reprised her role again in 2016 with the hugely successful Finding Dory. Ellen also hosted the Academy Awards twice, in 2007 and 2014. In 1997, after coming out herself, DeGeneres made TV history when her character on Ellen revealed she was a lesbian. In her work and in her life, she has been a passionate advocate for equality and fairness.




A teary-eyed Ellen received the honour. "In a career spanning over three decades, Ellen DeGeneres has brought joy to our lives as a stand-up comic and a television star, in every role, she reminds us to be kind to each other. Her courage and candour helped changed the hearts and minds of millions of Americans. Again and again, Ellen has shown us that a single individual can make the world a more fun and more open place so long as we just keep swimming," an aide cited.


Tom Hanks
Tom Hanks is one of the nation’s finest actors and filmmakers. He has been nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role five times, and received the award for his work in Philadelphia and Forrest Gump. Those roles and countless others, including in Apollo 13, Saving Private Ryan, and Cast Away, have left an indelible mark on American film. Off screen, as an advocate, Hanks has advocated for social and environmental justice, and for our veterans and their families.

Describing him as "America's dad" Obama said, "Tom has always saved his best role for real life. He made it seem natural to have a volleyball as your best friend. He is a good man, which is the best title you can have."


 

President Obama honors Tom Hanks with the Presidential Medal of Freedom: "He made it seem natural to have a volleyball as your best friend" pic.twitter.com/eXD6YOt0fi

— CBS News (@CBSNews) November 22, 2016

Kareem Abdul-Jabbar
Kareem Abdul-Jabbar is the National Basketball Association’s all-time leading scorer who helped lead the Los Angeles Lakers to five championships and the Milwaukee Bucks to another. During his career, Abdul-Jabbar was a six-time NBA Most Valuable Player and a 19-time NBA All-Star. Before joining the NBA, he was a star player at UCLA, leading the Bruins to three consecutive championships. In addition to his legendary basketball career, Abdul-Jabbar has been an outspoken advocate for social justice.

Robert De Niro
Robert De Niro has brought to life some of the most memorable roles in American film during a career that spans five decades. His first major film roles were in the sports drama Bang the Drum Slowly and Martin Scorsese’s crime film Mean Streets. He is a seven-time Academy Award nominee and two-time Oscar winner, and is also a Kennedy Center honouree.

Bill and Melinda Gates
Bill and Melinda Gates established the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2000 to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, the foundation focuses on improving people’s health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, the mission is to ensure that all people—especially those with the fewest resources—have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. The Gates Foundation has provided more than $36 billion in grants since its inception.

Here's a powerful mannequin challenge by the recipients of Medal of Freedom -- a gift that just keeps giving.


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