Late-night host David Letterman has been named the next recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American humour, the award…
David Letterman (PHOTO: Facebook)
Late-night host David Letterman has been named the next recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American humour, the award granted annually by the John F Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
The 70-year-old star, who is the longest-running host of late-night TV, is the 20th humorist to receive the prize, which began in 1998, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
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“This is an exciting honour. For 33 years, there was no better guest, no greater friend of the show, than Mark Twain. The guy could really tell a story,” Letterman said in a statement.
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The Twain prize is given annually to a humorist whose impact on American society is reminiscent of Samuel Clemens, the 19th-Century novelist, satirist and social commentator better known as Mark Twain.
Letterman also is a past recipient of Kennedy Center Honors for his influence on American culture.
Deborah F Rutter, the president of the Kennedy Center, said in a statement: “For decades, David Letterman delivered comedy to America that was smart, authentic and, frankly, what many of us came to rely upon to elevate our spirits after a long day. Raise your hand if, like me, you shifted your bedtime because you didn't want to miss a moment of
Dave on television lest you not be part of the conversation with friends and co-workers the next day.”
Previous winners of the Mark Twain Prize include Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Jay Leno, Carol Burnett and Ellen DeGeneres.
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