President Barack Obama greets National Humanities Medal recipient, author Ron Chernow, following the 2015 National Medal of Arts and National Humanities Medal ceremony in the East Room of the White House, Sept. 22, 2016. Also pictured from left, are Humanities Medalists, author Rudolfo Anaya; chef and entrepreneur José Andrés; and radio host and producer Terry Gross. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

President Barack Obama on Thursday paid tribute to comedian Mel Brooks, chef Jose Andres, NPR interviewer Terry Gross and others at a White House ceremony celebrating "creators who give every piece of themselves to their craft."

The three were among two dozen artists, writers, playwrights and performers awarded the 2015 National Medals of Arts and Humanities. Obama touted the group, which included author Sandra Cisneros, composer Philip Glass and singer Audra McDonald, as figures at the top of their fields and contributors to a national conversation.

"We believe that arts and the humanities are in many ways reflective of our national soul. They're central to who we are as Americans - dreamers, storyteller, innovators and visionaries," he said.

The annual event is typically a serious affair, held under the glittering chandeliers of the East Room. But it took a comic turn this year when Obama paid tribute to Brooks by quoting the director's instructions to his writers on the boundary-pushing film "Blazing Saddles."

"Write anything you want because we'll never be heard from again. We will all be arrested for this movie," Obama said, laughing.

Obama and Brooks shared a laugh when the actor made an unexpected gesture, bending suddenly at the knee and extending his hands toward the president's legs. It wasn't clear what Brooks was doing.

The president also honored jazz musician Wynton Marsalis and actor Morgan Freeman. Neither was able to attend the ceremony. Freeman was "undoubtedly off playing a black president," Obama said. "He never lets me have my moment."

To read the complete article, see:
Obama honors Mel Brooks, others in arts and humanities (www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/music/brooks-freeman-lead-list-of-award-winners-at-white-house/2016/09/22/ea270c48-80e0-11e6-9578-558cc125c7ba_story.html)

To watch a clip from Blazing Saddles, see:
"Excuse me while I whip this out" from Blazing Saddles (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Dvpi6t4PEI)

To read the complete article, see:
2015 recipients of the National Medal of Arts and National Humanities Medal (www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2015-recipients-of-the-national-medal-of-arts-and-national-humanities-medal/2016/09/22/2dbd4a70-80d3-11e6-8327-f141a7beb626_story.html)