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Celebrities, cultural icons and other guests gathered for a ceremony at the White House on Sunday before the annual Kennedy Center Honors celebration later in the evening.
During the event in Washington, US President Joe Biden praised each honoree.
He also had an audience member, actor Robert DeNiro, stand before declaring, “If I get in trouble, I’m coming to you pal.”
DeNiro grinned and nodded and others in attendance, including the honorees, laughed at what appeared to be a reference to DeNiro sometimes playing hardnosed enforcers in movies like “The Godfather.”
But Biden actually meant he might seek the actor’s help for post-presidency career advice.
“Things are not looking good for February,” Biden joked. Then he conceded that he couldn’t sing or dance but suggested he might still find a way to help DeNiro’s production company.
The guests were expected to take part in the Kennedy Center Honors celebration later on Sunday.