Jon Stewart to Receive Mark Twain Prize From Kennedy Center

Jon Stewart, the comic, activist and former host of “The Every day Present,” will obtain the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor from the Kennedy Heart.

Stewart will probably be acknowledged in a gala ceremony and efficiency April 24 that will probably be broadcast nationally. As a result of pandemic, the award has not been given out since Dave Chappelle took dwelling the respect in 2019.

“I’m actually honored to obtain this award. I’ve lengthy admired and been influenced by the work of Mark Twain, or, as he was recognized by his given title, Samuel Leibowitz,” Stewart joked in a press release.

“For greater than three many years, Jon Stewart has brightened our lives and challenged our minds as he delivers present occasions and social satire together with his trademark wit and knowledge. For me, tuning in to his tv packages over time has at all times been equal elements leisure and reality,” Kennedy Heart president Deborah F. Rutter stated. “In these typically divisive and difficult occasions, somebody like Jon, by way of his undaunted advocacy for first responders and veterans, additionally demonstrates that all of us could make a distinction on this world by way of humor, humanity, and patriotism. He’s most deserving of this award and I definitely can’t wait to listen to the Live performance Corridor stuffed with laughter once more on April 24.”

Previous recipients of the prize have included Richard Pryor (1998), Jonathan Winters (1999), Carl Reiner (2000), Whoopi Goldberg (2001), Bob Newhart (2002), Lily Tomlin (2003), Lorne Michaels (2004), Steve Martin (2005), Neil Simon (2006), Billy Crystal (2007), George Carlin (2008), Invoice Cosby (2009; rescinded in 2018), Tina Fey (2010), Will Ferrell (2011), Ellen DeGeneres (2012), Carol Burnett (2013), Jay Leno (2014), Eddie Murphy (2015), Invoice Murray (2016), David Letterman (2017) and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (2018).

The twenty third Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is underneath the course of the artistic staff from Accomplished + Dusted, the Kennedy Heart’s producing accomplice for the Mark Twain Prize since 2018. This yr’s ceremony marks the twenty third yr that the Kennedy Heart’s marquee comedy award will probably be broadcast nationally.

Tickets for the efficiency go on sale to Kennedy Heart Members on Feb. 9 at 12 p.m., and to most people on Feb. 11 at 12 p.m.