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Honoring the best in American comedy annually since 1998, the recipients of the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor have included the likes of Billy Crystal, George Carlin, Carol Burnett, Bob Newhart, Steve Martin, Ellen DeGeneres, Eddie Murphy, and Tina Fey.
2001
Carl Reiner, winner of 12 Emmys and an inductee into the Television Academy Hall of Fame, was honored with the third annual prize in 2000. Steve Martin, Jerry Seinfeld, Mary Tyler Moore, Richard Belzer, Reiner's son, Rob Reiner, and host Dick Van Dyke were on hand to share personal tales and anecdotes of their relationship with Carl Reiner. The 2000 performance was the first to appear on PBS.
2005
Tributes and comic performances by Dan Aykroyd, Candice Bergen, Senator Chris Dodd (D-Connecticut), Darrell Hammond, Tina Fey, Steve Martin, Tim Meadows, Senator John McCain (R-Arizona), Tracy Morgan, Conan O'Brien, Paul Simon, David Spade and Christopher Walken. The show's live band is led by former "SNL" musical director G.E. Smith. Also features clips from the NBC series and never-before-seen screen tests of some of the original "Not Ready for Primetime Players," as well as clips from Kids in the Hall and a selection of Michaels' movie productions, which include Mean Girls, Tommy Boy and Wayne's World.
2005
Tributes and comic performances from Martin's friends and colleagues including Dave Barry, Claire Danes, Larry David, Tom Hanks, Eric Idle, Diane Keaton, Queen Latifah, Randy Newman, Martin Short and Paul Simon. Former Mark Twain Prize recipients Carl Reiner, Lily Tomlin and Lorne Michaels were also in attendance.
2003
Tributes and comic performances from entertainers Dave Chappelle, Eve Ensler, Jane Fonda, Darrell Hammond, George Lopez, Catherine O'Hara, Elaine Stritch, Dolly Parton, Miss Piggy, Doris Roberts, and the bright young comic Sarah Jones, who present classic film and television clips of Tomlin's work.
2006
Tributes and comic testimonials from Simon's friends and colleagues including Jason Alexander, Christina Applegate, Lucie Arnaz, Matthew Broderick, Richard Dreyfuss, Heather Headley, Patricia Heaton, Jane Kaczmarek, Robert Klein, Nathan Lane, Robert Redford, Paul Reiser, Jonathan Silverman and Allen Toussaint.
2011
Featured Ferrell's friends and colleagues including top entertainers Ed Asner, Jack Black, Matthew Broderick, Adam McKay, Conan O'Brien, John C. Reilly, Paul Rudd, Molly Shannon and more. The evening paid tribute to the humor and accomplishments of the popular writer, actor and producer.
2010
Tina Fey's friends and colleagues including Fred Armisen, Steve Carell, Jimmy Fallon, Jon Hamm, Jennifer Hudson, Jane Krakowski, Steve Martin, Seth Meyers, Lorne Michaels, Tracy Morgan, Amy Poehler and Betty White.
2009
Tributes and comic testimonials from Richard Belzer, Lewis Black, Margaret Cho, Ben E. King, Denis Leary, Bill Maher, Joan Rivers, Garry Shandling, Jon Stewart, and Lily Tomlin. Before George passed away, he learned he was receiving the Twain and was genuinely pleased about it. "Thank you Mr. Twain," said Carlin. "Have your people call my people."
2007
Tributes and comic testimonials from Crystal’s friends and colleagues including Bob Costas, Robert DeNiro, Danny DeVito, Jimmy Fallon, Whoopi Goldberg, John Goodman, Jon Lovitz, Rob Reiner, Martin Short, Barbara Walters and Robin Williams. The program also includes an assortment of classic film clips from Crystal’s career.
2016
Celebrate beloved actor and comedian Bill Murray, the latest recipient of The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. From the stage of The John F. Kennedy Center, a star-studded lineup salutes the achievements of the comedic trailblazer.
2012
Features DeGeneres’ friends and colleagues including top entertainers Kristin Chenoweth, Steve Harvey, Sean Hayes, Jimmy Kimmel, John Krasinski, Jason Mraz and Lily Tomlin. The evening pays tribute to the humor and accomplishments of the television icon and motion picture star.
2013
The all-star cast includes Julie Andrews, Lucie Arnaz, Tony Bennett, Tim Conway, Tina Fey, Rashida Jones, Vicki Lawrence, Amy Poehler, Maya Rudolph, Martin Short and Rosemary Watson. The program features comedic highlights from Burnett’s half-century in show business.
2015
From the stage of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, a lineup of the biggest names in comedy salutes the 18th recipient of the humor prize, Eddie Murphy. Dave Chappelle, Kathy Griffin, Arsenio Hall, Sam Moore, Kevin Nealon, Trevor Noah, Jay Pharoah, Joe Piscopo, Chris Rock, and others salute Eddie Murphy at the 18th Annual Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize.
2009
Bill Cosby receives the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The ceremony features clips from his classic shows and tributes from former "Cosby Show" cast mates Phylicia Rashad and Malcom Jamal-Warner, as well as Carl Reiner, Chris Rock, Jerry Seinfeld, Danny Glover, Dick Gregory, Wynton Marsalis, Rita Moreno, Willie Nelson, Sinbad, Len Chandler, James dePriest and Jimmy Heath.
2020
An outstanding lineup of entertainers gathers in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall to salute Dave Chappelle, recipient of the 22nd annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
2018
Celebrate the work of beloved actress, comedian, and producer Julia Louis-Dreyfus. From the stage of The John F. Kennedy Center, a star-studded lineup salutes the achievements of the comedic trailblazer.
2014
Celebrates “Tonight Show” host, comedian and performer Jay Leno, the latest recipient of The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. From the stage of The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, DC, a lineup of the biggest names in comedy salutes the 17th recipient of the humor prize.
2023
2022
An outstanding lineup of entertainers gathers in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall to salute Jon Stewart, recipient of the 23rd annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
2017
Celebrating the work of "Late Night" and "The Late Show" legend David Letterman. From the stage of The John F. Kennedy Center, a star-studded lineup salutes the achievements of the late-night broadcaster.
2024
Comedy’s biggest stars gather to honor — and roast — Kevin Hart as he accepts the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in a heartfelt, hilarious ceremony.
2025
Comedy's biggest stars gather to toast and celebrate late-night legend Conan O'Brien as he accepts the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
2026
Louis C.K., Whitney Cummings, Woody Harrelson and more gather to celebrate comedy icon Bill Maher as he accepts the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
2000
Among those paying tribute to comedian Jonathan Winters: Steve Allen, Richard Belzer, Sid Caesar, Mark Curry, Bonnie Hunt, Eugene Levy, Lyle Lovett, Robin Williams, Robert Wuhl. Also: clips from "Mork & Mindy"; "The Jonathan Winters Show"; "The Jack Paar Show"; and Winters' character-filled commercials.
1999
Features testimonials from Chris Rock, Whoopi Goldberg, Damon Wayans, Morgan Freeman (performing a monologue as Pryor's famed street philosopher character Mudbone), Robin Williams and others.
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2001
On October 15, 2001, Whoopi Goldberg was fêted by an all-star cast of her peers as she was awarded the 2001 Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The ceremony was broadcast on PBS stations nationwide on November 21st.
2002
Joining the celebration to honor Bob Newhart were Bill Daily, Richard Belzer, Tim Conway, Jane Curtin, Kelsey Grammer, Jon Hendricks, Jake Johannsen, Bernie Mac, Dick Martin, David Hyde Pierce, John Pizzarelli, Suzanne Pleshette, Tom Poston, Don Rickles, The Smothers Brothers, Julia Sweeney, Clark Terry, Fred Willard, and Steven Wright.