Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
| Mark Twain Prize for American Humor | |
|---|---|
The Kennedy Center award is modeled after Karl Gerhardt's bronze bust of Twain. | |
| Awarded for | having "had an impact on American society in ways similar to" Mark Twain |
| Location | Washington, D.C. |
| Country | United States |
| Presented by | John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts |
| First award | 1998 |
| Most recent recipient | Conan O'Brien (2025) |
| Website | Official website |
| Television coverage | |
| Network |
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The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is an American award presented by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. annually since 1998 (except 2020-2021). Named after the 19th-century humorist Mark Twain, it is presented to individuals who have "had an impact on American society in ways similar to" Twain. The Kennedy Center chose Twain in recognition of his role as a controversial social commentator and his "uncompromising perspective of social injustice and personal folly." A copy of Karl Gerhardt's 1884 bust of Twain is presented in a ceremony usually in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, during which the recipient is celebrated by his or her peers. The event is a significant fundraiser to benefit the Kennedy Center, which sells tickets as well as access to dinners and after-parties featuring the celebrities.
As of 2025, 26 individuals have been awarded the award: 19 men and 6 women (Bill Cosby's award was rescinded by the Kennedy Center in 2018). Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there were no awards in 2020 or 2021.