HOLLYWOOD stars, ballet dancers, and soul singers on Sunday celebrated Kennedy Center Honors winners actor Tom Hanks, singer-songwriter Sting and comedienne Lily Tomlin during Washington’s high-profile tribute to excellence in the arts.

    Ballerina Patricia McBride and singer Al Green completed the group of artists who sported the prestigious prize on a night of dance and song.

    Hanks represented the top Hollywood draw of the night.

    The actor who won Oscars for his roles in the films “Philadelphia” and “Forrest Gump,” joked that he didn’t belong among the list of awardees.

    “I couldn’t believe it when I was notified that it was going to happen,” he said. “I feel like, you know, there’s an anomaly in the vote-taking process.”

    Film director Steven Spielberg and actor Martin Short paid tribute to Hanks after a montage of his top roles played on a large screen.

    Actresses Jane Lynch and Jane Fonda feted Tomlin, renowned for her performances of telephone operator “Ernestine” on television show “Laugh-In” and roles in movies such as “Nashville” and “9 to 5.”(SD-Agencies)