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The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is awarded by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts annually since 1998. It is named after famous humorist Mark Twain.
The first annual Kennedy Center Celebration of American Humor took place in October 1998. The celebration included lectures, symposia, and master classes, and culminated when Richard Pryor was presented with the inaugural Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize. The program featured a gathering of leading American artists including Chevy Chase, Morgan Freeman, Danny Glover, Whoopi Goldberg, Damon Wayans, and Robin Williams. It was taped by Comedy Central for cable television broadcast.
The Kennedy Center organized this "Celebration of Humor" weekend and established the Mark Twain Prize to recognize those who create humor from their uniquely American experiences.
Past winners
- 1998 - Richard Pryor
- 1999 - Carl Reiner
- 2000 - Jonathan Winters
- 2001 - Whoopi Goldberg
- 2002 - Bob Newhart
- 2003 - Lily Tomlin
- 2004 - Lorne Michaels
- 2005 - Steve Martin
See also
External link
- Mark Twain Prize from the Kennedy Center website
American comedy and humor | Awards | Mark Twain | Recipients of formal honors
"Mark Twain Prize for American Humor"