WASHINGTON ( CNN ) -- President Obama led a chorus of `` Happy Birthday '' for Sen. Ted Kennedy on Sunday night at the Kennedy Center , topping off a celebration of the senator 's 77th birthday that featured a crowd of celebrities and political heavyweights . Sen. Ted Kennedy , left , with his wife , Victoria , and Sen. John Kerry at the Kennedy Center on Sunday night . The Massachusetts Democrat , whose birthday was on Feb. 22 , received the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award during an evening that included performances by Broadway stars Bernadette Peters and Brian Stokes Mitchell , opera singers Denyce Graves and Frederica von Stade , singer James Taylor , actress Lauren Bacall , comedian Bill Cosby and others . First lady Michelle Obama and the state 's other senator , John Kerry , sat with Kennedy and wife , Victoria , in a box overlooking the stage . The president also visited the senator there after his surprise appearance . `` Happy birthday , Teddy , '' said niece Caroline Kennedy , who joked : `` I never thought I 'd be in a room with so many senators . '' Kennedy 's brief stint as a Senate candidate grabbed headlines for several months before she withdrew from consideration earlier this year . Watch Obama dance at the party » . Caroline Kennedy and journalist Al Hunt presented the Profile in Courage Award to the senator , who did not appear onstage . `` For you , there is no end to commitment , '' she said . `` Only the next great battle . '' Ted Kennedy was the unanimous selection of the committee that decides the award this year , the first time he has been eligible , according to the John F. Kennedy Library . He had been nominated in previous years , but could not receive the honor while serving as a member of the selection committee . Kennedy has been recovering in Florida after treatment for a brain tumor , but returned to the capital last week for the White House health care reform summit . The Profile in Courage Award is presented annually to public servants who have made courageous decisions of conscience . Past recipients include Rep. John Lewis , Sens . John McCain and Russ Feingold , Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin and Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis .
Celebrities and political heavyweights mark Sen. Ted Kennedy 's 77th birthday . Senator receives the John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Award . Score: 6 Attendees include Caroline Kennedy , Michelle Obama , Bill Cosby , John Kerry .