Ellen DeGeneres receives Medal of Freedom from Barack Obama

Ellen DeGeneres is among Barack Obama’s 2016 pick to be awarded the nation’s highest civilian honour | WATCH

Ellen DeGeneres is presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom at the White House. Picture: AP

Comedian Ellen DeGeneres, actor Tom Hanks and champion basketballer Michael Jordan were among the 21 names to be awarded the nation’s highest civilian honour by President Barack Obama.

Obama presented the awards to a “particularly impressive class” of groundbreaking actors, musicians, athletes and innovators in an hour long ceremony held in the White House East Room on Tuesday.

“Everybody on this stage has touched me in a very powerful, personal way, in ways that they probably couldn’t imagine,” Obama said.

The Presidential Medal of Freedom recognises especially meritorious contributions to the national interests of the United States, its security and its culture.

The White House said the Obama and his staff spend time considering a variety of candidates for the award, but ultimately, it’s the president’s decision.

He honoured DeGeneres saying she had a way of making people laugh at something rather than someone and praised her bravery in risking her career nearly 20 years ago when she came out as gay.

“What an incredible burden that was to bear, to risk her career like that. People don’t do that very often, and then to have the hopes of millions on your shoulders,” Obama said.

Robert De Niro comforts DeGeneres. Picture: AFP

In the film world, Obama honoured Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Robert Redford and Cicely Tyson.

Michael Jordan and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, two of the greatest basketball players in history, were also among the honorees.

“There is a reason you call somebody ‘the Michael Jordan of’,” Obama said. “The Michael Jordan of neurosurgery, or the Michael Jordan of rabbis, or the Michael Jordan of outrigger canoeing. Everyone knows what you’re talking about.”

Diana Ross and Bruce Springsteen were recognised for their music with Obama describing Springsteen as “The Boss” who crafted “anthems of our America, the reality of who we are and the reverie of who we want to be.”

Other honorees included philanthropists Bill and Melinda Gates and architect Frank Gehry.

AP