Mark Twain Prize Gets Martin-ized
The Jerk has become the Man in the world of comedy.
Steve Martin has been tapped as the next recipient of the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
The award, bestowed by the Kennedy Center, is the highest achievement for a comic; Martin will be the eighth recipient.
"His creations, be they on stage, on film or in a book, have created a collective memory of humor and joy for all Americans," Kennedy Center Chairman Stephen A. Schwarzman said Tuesday in a statement.
While he is known for his wild and crazy humor, Martin's r?sum? is no laughing matter. He's an accomplished comedian, writer, screenwriter and actor all rolled into one.
Martin scored an Emmy for his writing gig on The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour, was a longtime favorite performer of Johnny Carson on the Tonight Show and cemented his wacky status as the go-to guest host on Saturday Night Live. Martin is a two?time host of the Academy Awards, and he also scored two Grammys for the comedy albums Let's Get Small and A Wild and Crazy Guy.
Movie-wise, Martin has recently become the harried father in such films as 2003's Cheaper by the Dozen, Parenthood and the two Father of the Bride movies.
Following his big-screen breakout 1979's The Jerk, Martin starred in a series of modern comedy classics in the 1980s and '90s, including: Pennies from Heaven, All of Me, Roxanne, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and L.A. Story.
As an author, he has written the best-selling Shopgirl and The Pleasure of My Company; his play, Picasso at the Lapin Agile, has enjoyed successful runs in New York and Los Angeles.
The actor is in good company as a Mark Twain honoree. Last year, Saturday Night Live svengali Lorne Michaels bagged the trophy. Other winners include Lily Tomlin, Richard Pryor, Jonathan Winters, Carl Reiner, Whoopi Goldberg and Bob Newhart.
The ceremony will take place Oct. 23 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C.
Up next for the Martin is a run as Inspector Jacques Clouseau in a remake of The Pink Panther, due Aug. 5, followed by a movie version of Shopgirl with Claire Danes in October and a Cheaper By the Dozen sequel that will be out in 2006.
The Big Picture
Gossip Curl Looks like Leighton's sailing the Good Ship Lollipop as she shows off a Shirley Temple 'do
More PhotosMost Commented
- Bitch-Back! Breaking News—Johnny's a Hottie (918)
- Rob and Kristen "Relaxed" Together in NYC (674)
- Rob Flies Back to L.A. With Kristen (601)
- Truth, Lies & Ted: Twilight Special (478)
- Adam Lambert: For Your Entertainment—or His? (449)
- Is New Moon Even Good? (429)
- Bitch-Back! Was Sweet Taylor Ever a Li'l A-Hole? (380)
- Review: New Moon Is Either Just Fine or Way Mopey, Depending On Who You Are (375)
- Bitch-Back! Is There Drama on the Gossip Girl Set? (345)
- Ridiculous Twilight Hookups in an "All Taken" Cast (348)
Top 10 Stories
- The Real Reason Oprah Quit Oprah: Sarah Palin!
- Beyoncé Is Yours on Thanksgiving
- Justin Bieber: Blame Twitter for His Broken Foot
- Adam Lambert on Early Show: I'm Not a Babysitter
- Dancing Finale: Did Donny Really Beat Marie?
- Uh-Oh, John Mayer's Ego May Explode
- Carrie Ann Inaba Trades Judges' Chair for Hospital Bed
- Dancing With the Stars: A New Winner Raises the Disco Ball
- J.Lo's Ex: There's "Maybe One Spanking," but I'm Not Selling a Sex Tape
- Nicole Richie Back in Her Own Bed
Fashion Police
First Lady of FashionMichelle is glamorous and elegant in a strapless gown at the White House's first state dinner
More Photos
Latest Movie Reviews
Get Your E! News Now
0 Comments
Now loading...