Washington (AFP) – Film icon George Clooney and soul legend Gladys Knight are among this year’s crop of Kennedy Center honorees, one of America’s most prestigious arts awards. Irish rockers U2, Cuban-born American composer Tania Leon and the contemporary Christian and pop artist Amy Grant round out the 45th class, which will be feted at the center’s annual gala on December 4. The Kennedy Center — Washington’s performing arts complex that serves as a living monument to slain president John F. Kennedy — has like all arts institutions suffered during the pandemic and been forced to cancel, post…