Comedy Central was the first network to run the Mark Twain Prize, in 1998 and 1999, before PBS took over from 2000 to 2022. CNN took it last year.

The 25th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor will go to comedian, actor, writer and entrepreneur Kevin Hart. Past recipients include George Carlin, Eddie Murphy, Carol Burnett and Adam Sandler.

MARY LOUISE KELLY, HOST: Kevin Hart picked up his Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center last night. Now, the event is always a bit of a roast of the honoree.

Comedians Chris Rock, Dana Carvey and Pete Davidson attend the 24th Annual Mark Twain Prize For American Humor at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. AFP - Getty ...

Presenting the Latest Mark Twain Prize Winner: Conan O’Brien The former late-night host joins the ranks of a celebrated group including Kevin Hart, Jon Stewart, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus.

The prize, named to honor one of the world’s greatest humorists and author Mark Twain, was first awarded to Richard Pryor in 1998.

His films have grossed more than $4.23 billion globally. Now in its 25th year, the Mark Twain Prize annually honors performers who have made a lasting impact on humor and culture.

Other recent Mark Twain Prize honorees include Adam Sandler, Jon Stewart and Dave Chapelle. "You remind me … why I love comedy so much," Chappelle said at the Sunday night ceremony, noting he ...

Mark Twain Prize recipient Adam Sandler is introduced at the start of the 24th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor gala at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.

O'Brien was announced as this year's Twain Prize winner in mid-January. A month later, President Trump ousted the Kennedy Center's president, board chair and Democratically appointed board members.

Adam Sandler at the start of the 24th Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on March 19, 2023, in Washington, D.C. (Kevin Wolf/AP) ...

Hart’s films have grossed more than $4.23 billion globally. Now in its 25th year, the Mark Twain Prize annually honors performers who have made a lasting impact on humor and culture.