 The Empire State Building tweeted a photo of Newhart in his elf costume saying, We will miss you, Papa. Newhart was 94 years old. Lisa G., New York. Francis Foracopola, Bonnie Raitt, and the Grateful Dead among the honorees at this year's John F. Kennedy Center Honors. The 47th annual Kennedy Center event will take place in December, and the sitting president traditionally attends. Other honorees will include jazz musician Arturo Sandoval. I'm Tammy Trujillo.