Fans ‘Disappointed’ & ‘Devastated’ by Kurt Russell’s Kennedy Center Honors Appearance for Sly Stallone
What To Know
- The 48th Kennedy Center Honors celebrated five artists, including Sylvester Stallone, for their significant contributions to the arts in a ceremony hosted by President Donald Trump.
- Kurt Russell made a surprise appearance to honor Stallone, and fans had strong reactions.
The 48th Kennedy Center Honors was chock-filled with many surprises as the annual event recognized five artists from the worlds of acting, music, and the stage for their lifetime achievements and contributions to the arts.
In a live ceremony on December 7 hosted by President Donald Trump, the Kennedy Center honored Tony-winning stage and screen star Michael Crawford, Grammy-winning disco icon Gloria Gaynor, country music legend George Strait, legendary rock band Kiss, including Paul Stanley, Gene Simmons, Peter Criss, and the late Ace Frehley, and Hollywood icon Sylvester Stallone.
After Trump introduced Stallone in a pre-recorded message — something he did for all the nominees — special guest Kurt Russell took to the stage. Stallone and Russell starred together in 1989’s Tango & Cash, and the Monarch: Legacy of Monsters star shared a few words of praise for his longtime friend.
Courtesy of the Everett Collection
Russell recalled the first time he watched Rocky, which made him ponder: “I wondered out loud, ‘Where in the hell did they find this boxer who is such a great actor?'” (via AARP).
Russell told the audience that “the story of Sly Stallone is the story of the American Dream.” The Big Trouble in Little China actor also reminisced about their time working together, stating that Stallone “treated me like his little brother. He took care of me.”
It was an emotional night for Sylvester Stallone, who was honored for his five decades of work as a three-time Oscar-nominated actor, writer, and director. He is best known for the Rocky franchise and for portraying the iconic action hero Rambo, roles that cemented his place in Hollywood history.
Singer, songwriter, and actor Frank Stallone also took to the stage to honor his brother with the emotional, “You’ll always be my hero, and I love you so much.”
Viewers were shocked to see Kurt Russell at the event and wondered what that meant for his political views. A common reaction seemed to be disappointment.
“So disappointed in Kurt Russell- Boooooo!” one person wrote, and others echoed that sentiment: “Oh my god. How disappointing. Bye Kurt Russell.” and “Kurt Russell?! Oh I am so disappointed.” Another viewer wrote, ” So disappointed in Kurt Russell .. 🙄”
That wasn’t the only reaction. “Omg, I am devastated. Never seen this coming,” one person commented, while another posted, “Noooooooooo!!! A new level of sadness has been attained. Not Kurt!”
It seems this is changing holiday watching plans for some. “I had Christmas Chronicles queued up for the grandkids. Program change!! So disappointed,” one person wrote, while another added, “Noooooo! Not KR, now I can’t even watch Christmas Chronicles with my kids!!” and still another said, “Goddammit Kurt. Now I can’t watch your Christmas movies!”
At least one person suggested that Russell was just there to support his friend, Stallone: “I am reading that Kurt is good friends with Stallone and he’s there to support him. I can’t find anything that says that he and Goldie are MAGA.”
There were some viewers who were impressed with Russell’s tribute to Stallone. “We’ve watched maybe two awards shows over the last decade, but are watching the Kennedy Center Awards tonight. I don’t know that anyone has ever given a better intro than did Kurt Russell for Sylvester Stallone,” one person posted on X. others called it “epic” and “really wonderful.”
The 48th Kennedy Center Honors, Tuesday, December 23, 8/7c, CBS and Paramount+
Conversation44 Comments
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K
Russell put friendship over politics. Good for him. Wish his fans did the same.
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G
Fans who were disappointed by Russell supporting and honoring Sly are exactly what’s wrong with this country. You actually CAN have different beliefs than someone else, still be respectful, and appreciate their accomplishments. And even be friends with them! Civility is a foreign concept to some, I realize.
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L
I can’t stomach it. Will wait 3+ years until they can take the Felon’s name off the building.
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G
I Agee completely!!
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M
lol
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B
Kennedy??
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M
roflmao!!!!
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W
Who gives a flying rip? Russell may or may not be friends with Trump, the fact is that most people don't care. He was there for Stallone. Stop injecting politics into EVERYTHING and just live your life, FFS.
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Y
It’s hard to ignore politics when some asshole keeps putting his name on every building
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A
Yep and some of the family members have spoken up about not approving like Maria Shriver.
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B
We watched in the past but with the political intervention this year we won’t. Maybe in a few years.
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G
I agree
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D
Oh please how about putting politics aside. Stop being a child and acknowledge these wonderful people's accomplishments. Like to see you come close to anything they have done. Certainly not with such a close minded attitude.
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L
People saying they're not going to watch Kurt Russell movies because of this are just plain stupid! He went to support his friend, Sly Stallone, who I'm assuming you're also boycotting.
I can't stand Robert De Niro’s politics, but I still watch some of his movies if they come on TV.
They are ENTERTAINERS, their politics mean as much as yours and mine… nothing! It's time for people to stop being such babies, grow up, and act like adults!
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G
Common sense usually would step in at this point but ill just say it:
A bunch of famous actors who have significantly more accomplishments than you dont care that you "won't be watching" next year.
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M
be careful, you are hurting liberals feelings, now they will go into mamas basement and cry
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J
I don't know what Kurt Russell said that was so controversial. He was supporting a friend and co-star, nothing wrong in that.
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A
I think it's more about the possibility that many of his fans aren't Republicans like Kurt is and definitely not Trump fans which I'm not sure of concerning Mr. Russell. Like I said in another comment, since I support the arts and was interested in the recipients, mainly Sly Stallone and KISS, it didn't matter to me whether Trump was in charge or not, I still wanted to watch and I hope the ratings don't fall further for the following three years simply because of him. I'm just glad they indeed edited his introductory remarks so we didn't have to hear the parts that were cringe-worthy, that's for sure!
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B
I salute Kurt! A good friend
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G
Glad everyone watched. Big beautiful ratings. Merry Christmas. Great to see Kurt.
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A
Well, compared to last year and perhaps years before, not "everyone" watched! Unless you're who I think you may be...
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R
To all those who will no longer be watchiing.. thank god, good bye, we don't need you!
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A
Considering how far the ratings fell compared to last year, is that the right attitude to take? REALLY?! as Seth and Amy would say.
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J
Russell was there to honor Stallone, not Trump!
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R
Great show. Very upbeat.
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C
What a friggin joke.And Kurt, you disappoint me pal. You should be thoroughly ashamed of yourself. It's too late for these other imbeciles like Stallone & Simmons but there still might be hope for you.
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G
Im sure Kurt is gonna see this and be extremely upset that a completely random person is mad that he went to an awards show to support a fellow actor.
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G
Absolutely!!
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L
People need to go sit on their thumbs because Kurt and Goldie don’t give a shit what you all think!!!! Great show! Loved it 💕
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M
i just love these ignorant liberal meltdowns!!!!! liberals are the best at proving their ignorance
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G
I was very disappointed that Trump hosted with his fake performance that he was really supporting the nominees. He ruined it for me!!!
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J
Big Trouble in Little China
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F
Awersome Movie! What, what won't come out anymore!
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S
How about using a fact checker before posting an article? Kurt's movie was Big Trouble in Little China, not Tokyo!!! Shame on you!
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G
Eh. Tokyo is in fact little. In contrast to china.
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D
Trump Derangement Syndrome really leads to significant brain damage. Smh.
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M
I personally couldn't care less who the head of the Kennedy Center is. Those "awards" have long been nothing more than a brazen attempt to use pop culture icons to prop up a false image of our dying, American empire. The moment I knew rock 'n' roll was dead was when I saw Jimmy Page and Robert Plant sitting next to Obama up in that box, while Obama undoubtedly texted the instructions to bomb yet another wedding in Afghanistan. The point was driven home even harder when the remaining members of the Grateful Dead recently accepted the "honor" from Biden as he continued to arm Israel's genocide against the Palestinians. How anyone could watch any of that and truly believe that those artists in any way represent some sort of "counter culture” at this point, is beyond me. Like so much else in this country, whatever rebellious spirit was once there has now clearly been swallowed whole by the establishment. But if there's one thing Americans still do well, it's lie to themselves.
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A
Like the current president has done and still does? Like HIM?
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F
What a bunch of snowflakes!
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A
I hate it bunches old washup stars trying to please their MASTER SHAMEFUL
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B
Garth gave a tribute to kiss and not George Strait? Strange!
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T
Maybe you should lead the way show them how it's done
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J
Kurt has always been vocal about his maga republican views.
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J
FFF Kurt Russell and FFF Sylvester Stallone! I hope they crash and burn!
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