TV host and actress Oprah Winfrey has been chosen as a Kennedy Center honouree just before the start of the 25th and final season of "The Oprah Winfrey Show" on U.S. television.

Winfrey is among five honourees revealed to the public on Tuesday morning.

The others are former Beatles member Paul McCartney, dancer-choreographer Bill T. Jones, country music singer-songwriter Merle Haggard and composer and lyricist Jerry Herman.

The Kennedy Center Honours recognise performing artists for their contributions to American culture. Laureates are selected by the Kennedy Center's Board of Trustees.

In addition to her award-winning TV show, Winfrey earned Academy Award and Golden Globe nominations for her work in the movie adaptation of Alice Walker's novel The Color Purple.