The comedian who is famous for his stand-up comedy routine will receive the 18th annual Mark Twain Prize by John F. Kennedy Center for performing arts in the coming October.
- Apr 10, 2015
AceShowbiz - Eddie Murphy will be awarded with the 2015 Mark Twain Prize for American comedy. Officials confirmed on Thursday, April 8 that the "Dr. Dolittle" actor would receive the top prize for performing arts by John F. Kennedy Center this year on October 18. The bestowal ceremony will be broadcast nationally.
The prize is given to those who influence society in the way Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, influenced people through his writing, comments and satires.
"Through his appearances on 'Saturday Night Live', groundbreaking stand-up comedy, and work as a movie star, Eddie Murphy has shown that like Mark Twain, he was years ahead of his time," said Kennedy Center chief Deborah F. Rutter.
Rutter continued speaking, "Murphy is a fearless observer of society, who startled many while delighting and informing many more with his uncompromising perspective on social injustice and personal folly."
One of the show's executive producers Cappy McGarr commented that Murphy was "truly a transformative comedian" and always influenced people with his "provocative issues."
"Eddie Murphy has kept us laughing for 30 years. He's like Mark Twain. He gets to the heart of a provocative issue, and he's damn funny while he's doing it," so said McGarr. "He has had incredible influence over so many comedians who have followed him."
Following the announcement, the star of "Beverly Hills Cop" said in a written statement, "I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from the Kennedy Center and to join the distinguished list of past recipients of this award."
Murphy joins previous honorees of Mark Twain prize that include Jay Leno, Carol Burnett, Tina Fey, Whoopi Goldberg and Bill Cosby.
