Conan O'Brien Late-night talk show host Conan O'Brien, 2009. (more) Mark Twain Prize for American Humor American award Ask the Chatbot a Question More Actions Share Share Share to social media Facebook X URL https://www.britannica.com/topic/Mark-Twain-Prize-for-American-Humor Feedback Corrections? Updates? Omissions? Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Feedback Type Select a type (Required) Factual Correction Spelling/Grammar Correction Link Correction Additional Information Other Your Feedback Submit Feedback Thank you for your feedback Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article.

　　External Websites Ask the Chatbot a Question Written by Written by Will Gosner Will Gosner is an associate editor covering general interest topics, including film, television, and sports. He has a B.A. from the University of Chicago. He joined Britannica in 2014. Will Gosner Fact-checked by Fact-checked by The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree.... The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica Last Updated: Oct. 20, 2025 •Article History Table of Contents Table of Contents Ask the Chatbot The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is an annual award presented by the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, a branch of the Smithsonian Institution, to honor a living entertainer who has used humor to contribute to American culture and society. The prize is named after the celebrated writer Mark Twain, who, in the words of the Kennedy Center, “was a fearless observer of society who delighted and informed onlookers with his uncompromising perspective...

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