The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor was first given to comedian Richard Pryor in 1998. Over the years, it’s been handed out to everyone from Carl Reiner and Neil Simon to Steve Martin, Bill Murray, Billy Crystal, Tina Fey, and Dave Chapelle. O’Brien made appearances in the past to honor Lorne Michaels, Will Ferrell, and Adam Sandler.

In a statement, he quipped: "I am honoured to be the first winner of the Mark Twain Prize recognized not for humor, but for my work as a riverboat pilot." Other previous recipients include Jon Stewart,

Mark Twain Prize for American Humor honours individuals who have "had an impact on American society in ways similar to" Twain. View on euronews

"I am honored to be the first winner of the Mark Twain Prize recognized not for humor, but for my work as a riverboat pilot," O'Brien said in a release from The Kennedy Center.

Comedian and host Conan O’Brien is the newest recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for lifetime achievement in comedy.

Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will present the 26th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor to Conan O’Brien on March 23, 2025, in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. The Prize, which is named to honor one of the world’s greatest humorists,

Conan O’Brien is the latest comedian to be feted at the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The former host of Conan and The Tonight Show will receive the award on March 23 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Score one for Team Coco. Conan O’Brien has been selected as the 2025 recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. He’ll receive the award on March 23, less than three weeks after he hosts the Oscars for the first time. The Oscars are set for March 3.

Conan O’Brien, the writer turned late-night host turned podcaster, will receive the Twain Prize for American humor at Kennedy Center on March 23.

Comedian Conan O'Brien is the latest former late-night host to receive the Mark Twain prize: a distinction for American humor.

Conan O'Brien was named the 26th recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Thursday, Jan. 16, joking it's for his 'work as a riverboat pilot.'