These Touching Kennedy Center Honors Tributes Will Make Your Heart Soar

Stephen Colbert hits center stage as host for the emotional evening.

Stephen Colbert hits center stage as host for the emotional evening.

Host Stephen Colbert will set the tone for The 38th Annual Kennedy Center Honors before the honorees—Rita Moreno, Seiji Ozawa, Cicely Tyson, George Lucas, and Carole King—are praised through amazing performances and spoken tributes from well-known artists and performers.

Find out what else is in store before the incredible event airs on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015 at 9/8c.
Actress Gina Rodriguez honors Rita Moreno with a spoken tribute.

Actress Gina Rodriguez honors Rita Moreno with a spoken tribute.

The Golden Globe Award-winning actress offers her praise and respect to Rita Moreno, who watches from her seat in the balcony alongside all the other honorees.
Performer Rosie Perez shines on stage when honoring Rita Moreno.

Performer Rosie Perez shines on stage when honoring Rita Moreno.

Academy Award and Emmy Award-nominated actress Rosie Perez sings "Fever" while Animal from The Muppets plays the drums.
Conductor Itzhak Perlman pays tribute to honoree Seiji Ozawa.

Conductor Itzhak Perlman pays tribute to honoree Seiji Ozawa.

The conductor and violinist, who was also awarded the 2015 Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognizes GRAMMY Award and Emmy Award-winning conductor Seiji Ozawa through a spoken tribute. 
Cellist Yo-Yo Ma plays a piece in honor of Seiji Ozawa.

Cellist Yo-Yo Ma plays a piece in honor of Seiji Ozawa.

GRAMMY Award-winning cellist Yo-Yo Ma performs Tchaikovsky's "Andante Cantabile" for Seiji Ozawa at The 38th Annual Kennedy Center Honors.
Famed directors Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese pay homage to George Lucas.

Famed directors Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese pay homage to George Lucas.

Friends and cinematic colleagues Steven Spielberg and Martin Scorsese honor filmmaker George Lucas through touching spoken tributes. They are also joined onstage by special guests C-3PO, R2-D2, a fleet of Stormtroopers, and the Kennedy Center Honors Orchestra, who performed a mash-up of the themes from Indiana Jones and Star Wars.
Actress Carrie Fisher takes a moment to honor the Star Wars creator.

Actress Carrie Fisher takes a moment to honor the Star Wars creator.

Actress/novelist/screenwriter Carrie Fisher shares a (virtual) spoken tribute written just for George Lucas.
Actress Viola Davis takes the spotlight to honor Cicely Tyson.

Actress Viola Davis takes the spotlight to honor Cicely Tyson.

Emmy Award and Tony Award-winning actress Viola Davis pays homage to one of the evening's honorees, Cicely Tyson.
Terence Blanchard, CeCe Winans, Kerry Washington, and Tyler Perry honor Cicely Tyson.

Terence Blanchard, CeCe Winans, Kerry Washington, and Tyler Perry honor Cicely Tyson.

Actress Kerry Washington and filmmaker Tyler Perry applaud Tyson after GRAMMY Award-winning musician Terence Blanchard performs a rendition of Miles Davis' "My Funny Valentine" and GRAMMY Award-winning gospel singer CeCe Winans belts out "Blessed Assurance." 
Singer James Taylor delivers a heartfelt acoustic performance for honoree Carole King.

Singer James Taylor delivers a heartfelt acoustic performance for honoree Carole King.

GRAMMY Award and Emmy Award-winning musician James Taylor honors GRAMMY Award-winning singer-songwriter Carole King with his rendition of her song "Up On The Roof."
Music legend Aretha Franklin belts it out in celebration of Carole King.

Music legend Aretha Franklin belts it out in celebration of Carole King.

GRAMMY Award-winning singer Aretha Franklin wows the audience with her take of "Natural Woman," one of Carole King's hit songs.
 
The five honorees graciously bow from their balcony seats.

The five honorees graciously bow from their balcony seats.

Honorees Seiji Ozawa, Cicely Tyson, Rita Moreno, George Lucas, and Carole King celebrate each other's accomplishments as they experience moving performances and heartfelt spoken tributes at The 38th Annual Kennedy Center Honors.

Watch all this and more when The 38th Annual Kennedy Center Honors airs on Tuesday, Dec. 29, 2015 at 9/8c.