THE HYPE AMERICAN BEAUTY FOR HONORED BRITISH ACTRESS, HOME IS WHERE THE HEART.

``I don't think I ever felt more American than I did on this occasion,'' said London-born actress Angela Lansbury, speaking as one of this year's recipients of the Kennedy Center Honors.

The annual salute to individuals who have made outstanding contributions to the performing arts, airing at 9 tonight on CBS, also pays tribute to rock 'n' roll pioneer Chuck Berry, actor-director Clint Eastwood and two other foreign-born honorees: dancer-choreographer Mikhail Baryshnikov of Riga, Latvia, and opera star Placido Domingo of Madrid, Spain, who is also artistic director for L.A. Opera.

``I felt I was the embodiment of what this country can mean to an immigrant coming from another place,'' said Lansbury, who fled London with her parents during World War II and became a U.S. citizen in 1951. ``I made my life and I made my career and my fortune here. The opportunities were here. Every time I stepped out of the gate it was here in America. Therefore it seemed right and proper.''

Lansbury said she was notified about her selection by George Stevens, who produces the special and is a personal friend.

``He called me and he said, 'Angie, I just want you to know you have been chosen for the honor this year at Kennedy Center. It was so unexpected I just kind of burst into slight tears because ... it just hit me at a moment that I wasn't expecting it, you know? I never for a moment thought that I would be chosen. I don't know why,'' she added with a laugh.

The Lansbury portion of the program, taped earlier this month in Washington, includes Broadway co-star Len Cariou singing the ``Mame'' theme, and Nathan Lane doing ``a marvelous imitation'' of her role as the unsavory meat-pie baker in ``The Worst Pies in London'' number from ``Sweeney Todd.''

She said her most precious memory of the entire celebration is seeing her three teen-age grandchildren acting so poised and at ease at the White House reception that preceded the show. ``It was a wonderful moment for me as their grandmother to see them be so comfortable and to be so accepted by the adults who were there,'' the 75-year-old actress said. ``This was my perfect moment.''

Lansbury continues to star in made-for-TV movies based on her popular series ``Murder, She Wrote'' (a Civil War-era story titled ``The Last Free Man'' is awaiting an air date on CBS) and she is hoping to star in another movie based on her cockney Mrs. 'Arris character. She also is keeping a hand in theater as her schedule permits.

``Believe me, I'm very proud and happy,'' she said of the Kennedy Center tribute. ``It's like a warm wave of affirmation for a life well spent.''

- Valerie Kuklenski

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This year's Kennedy Center Honor recipients include singer-conductor Placido Domingo, left, actress Angela Lansbury, actor-director Clint Eastwood and dancer-choreographer Mikhail Baryshnikov, who are joined by first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton. The annual tribute airs tonight on CBS.