President Obama Honours Ellen DeGeneres, Tom Hanks, Bill Gate And Many More

Ellen DeGeneres couldn't hold back the tears as she was honoured by US President Barack Obama at the White House on Tuesday.

The chat show host joined a star-studded guest list in Washington, where they were presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom.

Finding Nemo star Ellen, 58, got choked up as it was her turn to be presented with the medal as the announcer read out her list of achievements.

“In a career spanning three decades, Ellen DeGeneres has lifted our spirits and brought joy to our lives as a standup comic, actor and television star,” the announcer said while Ellen stood next to Obama.

“In every role, she reminds us to be kind to one another and to treat people as each of us wants to be treated. At a pivotal moment, her courage and candor helped change the hearts and minds of millions of Americans, accelerating our nation’s constant drive towards equality and acceptance for all. Again and again, Ellen DeGeneres has shown us that a single individual can make the world a more fun, more open, more loving place so long as we just keep swimming.”

Obama got a little choked up when recalling how Ellen came out as gay in an episode of her show in 1997.

"What an incredible burden to bear, to risk your career like that. ... And yet today, every day and in every way, Ellen counters what often divides us and inspires us to be better, one joke and one dance at a time,” he said.

In Obama's last ceremony at the White House on Tuesday, he also honour

ed stars including Robert DeNiro, Michael Jordan and Tom Hanks with America's highest civilian honour.

"Today we celebrate extraordinary Americans who have lifted our spirits and pushed us to progress," Obama said, while poking fun at basketball legend Jordan's venture into acting.

"This is particularly impressive class: Innovators and artists, public servants and rabble-rousers, athletes and renowned character actors like the guy from Space Jam.”

Obama presented Tom Hanks with the medal, describing him as “America's dad

” and praised him for supporting his wife Rita Wilson through cancer.

"The truth is Tom has always saved his best roles for real life. He is a good man,” Obama said.

He also had fun with Meet The Fockers star Robert DeNiro, as he said: "His characters are iconic: a Sicilian father turned New York mobster, a mobster who runs a casino, a mobster who needs therapy, a suburban father whose scarier than a mobster.”

When it came to presenting Bruce Springsteen aka The Boss with his medal, the outgoing president paid tribute to the Born In The U.S.A star's legendary marathon sets.

"I am the president. He is the Boss. Pushing 70, he is still pushing down four-hour sets. I thought twice about giving him a since he calls himself a prisoner of rock 'n' roll for years to come."

Other stars honoured by Obama included Cicely Tyson, Robert Redford, Saturday Night Live creator Lorne Michaels, Diana Ross, Michael Jordan, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, and Vin Scully.