The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents the 25th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor to Kevin Hart
The Prize, which is named to honor one of the world’s greatest humorists was awarded to Kevin Hart at a gala performance featuring some of the biggest names in comedy at the Kennedy Center on March 24, 2024.
Watch NOW on NETFLIX!
Genre
Comedy
Presenting Sponsor
The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, presented by Wells Fargo, recognizes individuals who have had an impact on American society in ways similar to the distinguished 19th-century novelist and essayist Samuel Clemens, colloquially known as Mark Twain. As a social commentator, satirist, and creator of characters, Clemens was a fearless observer of society who delighted and informed onlookers with his uncompromising perspective on social injustice and personal folly.
Kevin Hart: Mark Twain Prize Trailer
What Does Kevin Hart Deserve the Prize?
Jimmy Fallon on Kevin Hart
25 Years of the Mark Twain Prize
Emmy® and Grammy®–nominated Kevin Hart was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania where he launched his career as a comedian during an amateur night at a local comedy club. Over the years, Hart has become Hollywood’s box office powerhouse, opening 11 films at number one at the box office and grossing more than in $4.23 billion global revenue. Hart has also become a successful entrepreneur; he is chairman of Hartbeat, a global, multi-platform media company creating entertainment at the intersection of comedy and culture with a mission to “keep the world laughing together.”
A lineup of leading performers salute Kevin Hart at the 25th annual Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
Dave Burd aka “Lil Dicky”
Multi-platinum rapper, comedian, and actor.
Nick Cannon
Comedian, host, actor, and rapper.
Dave Chappelle
Comedian and 2019 Mark Twain Prize Recipient.
Jimmy Fallon
Award-winning talk show host.
Tiffany Haddish
Award-winning comedian, actress, and bestselling author.
Regina Hall
Award-winning actress and producer.
Chelsea Handler
Comedian, six-time bestselling author, advocate, and host.
Nelly
Award-winning rapper, singer, and actor.
The Plastic Cup Boyz
Internationally touring comedy group.
Keith Robinson
Comedian and actor widely acclaimed as a comic’s comic.
Chris Rock
Comedian, actor, writer, producer, and director lauded by peers and critics alike.
Jerry Seinfeld
Veteran comedian, actor, and director.
J.B. Smoove
Actor, comedian, writer, and epic improviser.
Robin Thicke
Singer, songwriter, and record producer.
Adam Blackstone
Award-winning musician.
May 6, 2024
On Saturday, the 25th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, celebrating the one and only Kevin Hart, hits NETFLIX! But before you settle in for the show, join us as we take you backstage for a sneak peek...
April 30, 2024
Watch some of the Kennedy Center staff's favorite hilarious moments from the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor over the years.
March 22, 2024
How do you take some of the funniest people on the planet and distill all the joy they bring us into one drawing?
Watch pre-show festivities and Red Carpet Interviews with Artists and Comedians for the 2024 Mark Twain Prize Celebrating Kevin Hart
The inaugural Mark Twain Prize was presented to Richard Pryor during the first annual Kennedy Center Celebration of American Humor, October 20, 1998. The event was created by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Bob Kaminsky, Peter Kaminsky, Mark Krantz, and John Schreiber and is televised annually. The Kennedy Center is grateful to Cappy McGarr for his steadfast support of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor since its inception.
Previous recipients of the Mark Twain include Richard Pryor (1998), Jonathan Winters (1999), Carl Reiner (2000), Whoopi Goldberg (2001), Bob Newhart (2002), Lily Tomlin (2003), Lorne Michaels (2004), Steve Martin (2005), Neil Simon (2006), Billy Crystal (2007), George Carlin (2008), Bill Cosby (2009, rescinded in 2018) Tina Fey (2010), Will Ferrell (2011), Ellen DeGeneres (2012), Carol Burnett (2013) Jay Leno (2014), Eddie Murphy (2015), Bill Murray (2016), David Letterman (2017), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (2018), Dave Chappelle (2019), Jon Stewart (2022), and Adam Sandler (2023).
Explore artist pages below.
Adam Sandler acceptance speech
Jon Stewart acceptance speech
Dave Chappelle acceptance speech
Julia Louis-Dreyfus acceptance speech
*2009 Bill Cosby; rescinded in 2018
Official Airline of the Mark Twain Prize
The Kennedy Center is a non-profit institution, and your tax-deductible gift helps expand our arts and education offerings throughout the country.
© All Rights Reserved. Licensed by the Mark Twain Foundation Trust. Authorized by CMG Worldwide, Inc.
Social Impact
The Waldorf Hysteria
Sat. May 25, 2024
Join us at the Kennedy Center for a screening of Social Practice Resident Angelina Spicer’s comedy special, The Waldorf Hysteria. Featuring a post-screening panel with Angelina Spicer and other maternal health advocates.
New York Arab-American Comedy Festival Presents
The 20th Anniversary Celebration
Sat. Jun. 8, 2024
The New York Arab-American Comedy Festival is celebrating its 20th anniversary by taking the show on the road with six headliners. The Festival was created to dispel negative stereotypes and create a platform for Arab American comedy.
Don’t Tell Seth! An Evening with Seth Meyers Writers
Jun. 14 - 15, 2024
Don’t Tell Seth! is a variety show featuring members of the writing staff of Late Night with Seth Meyers. Unshackled from the confines of network censors and what Seth thinks is “appropriate” for his show, they are finally free to let loose!
From the writing desks of late night, catch John Lutz, Peter Grosz, Matt Goldich, Jenny Hagel, Jeff Wright, Allison Hord, Ben Warheit, and Ian Morgan at the Kennedy Center.
Humor Books: Alive!
Sat. Jul. 20, 2024
Humor writing comes alive in July! Four of the best humor writers in the business take the stage to read brand-new jokes. Asher Perlman (The Late Show with Stephen Colbert), Evan Waite (Family Guy), JiJi Lee (The New Yorker), and Alexandra Petri (The Washington Post) share their silly and whip-smart perspectives on culture, politics, and the absurdities of daily life. This event also celebrates the launch of new books by Perlman and Waite.
