newsmakers

newsmakers

Letterman, Hoffman among Honorees

NEW YORK

David Letterman is among this year’s Kennedy Center Honorees, CBS announced Wednesday. The late-night veteran will be feted alongside actor Dustin Hoffman, bluesman Buddy Guy, ballet dancer Natalia Makarova and rock group Led Zeppelin at the 35th Annual Kennedy Center Honors, at the gala, broadcast on CBS Dec. 26.

“With their extraordinary talent, creativity and tenacity, the seven 2012 Kennedy Center Honorees have contributed significantly to the cultural life of our nation and the world,” said Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein in a news release.

Letterman joins a short and rarefied list of comedians who’ve received the honor, including Carol Burnett, Steve Martin, Bob Hope and Johnny Carson.

Sudeikis to stay on ‘Saturday Night Live’

LOS ANGELES

If you are a die-hard fan of Jason Sudeikis, you probably should thank Mitt Romney for giving the “Saturday Night Live” star a reason to stay on the show at least through January.

“SNL” executive producer Lorne Michaels confirmed to The New York Times on Tuesday that the man who has played Romney and Vice President Joe Biden will be returning to the show when it premieres Saturday and will remain at least through the election season.

Sudeikis’ status as a cast member had been a big question mark since the end of last season, when other “SNL” stars Kristen Wiig and Andy Samberg announced they wouldn’t be returning to the show.

Bates recovering from mastectomy

NEW YORK

Kathy Bates says she is recovering from a double mastectomy.

The Oscar-winning actress tweeted Wednesday that she was diagnosed with breast cancer two months ago. But in a separate post, she said she doesn’t miss her breasts as much as “Harry’s Law,” her NBC law drama that was canceled last May.

Bates, 64, told People magazine that she won’t have to undergo radiation or chemotherapy. Her doctors have assured her she’ll be around “for a long time.”

She told the magazine that her family calls her “Kat” because she always lands on her feet, “and thankfully, this is no exception,” she added.

Vindicator wire services