New York - Will Ferrell, whose comic impersonations and movie roles have established him as one of the most well-known US humorists, is to receive the annual Mark Twain prize for American Humour.
Ferrell will receive one of the nation's highest honours in the world of comedy on October 23 at a special presentation night held at the Kennedy Centre Concert Hall in Washington DC, the Kennedy Centre said on Thursday.
Ferrell, 43, first established himself in the world of comedy along with many top US comedians before him on the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live. Last year's recipient of the Twain prize, Tina Fey, also worked on the program.
Impact of society
Besides starring in numerous movies from Talladega Nights to Step Brothers and Blades of Glory, Ferrell co-founded the comedy website Funny or Die in 2007 and made his Broadway debut in 2009 with a one-man satire impersonating former US President George W Bush.
The Mark Twain Prize, established in 1998, recognizes people who have had an impact on society comparable to the 19th century satirist and writer of novels such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Previous winners include actor Bill Cosby, stand-up comedian George Carlin, actor Steve Martin and playwright Neil Simon.
Ferrell will receive one of the nation's highest honours in the world of comedy on October 23 at a special presentation night held at the Kennedy Centre Concert Hall in Washington DC, the Kennedy Centre said on Thursday.
Ferrell, 43, first established himself in the world of comedy along with many top US comedians before him on the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live. Last year's recipient of the Twain prize, Tina Fey, also worked on the program.
Impact of society
Besides starring in numerous movies from Talladega Nights to Step Brothers and Blades of Glory, Ferrell co-founded the comedy website Funny or Die in 2007 and made his Broadway debut in 2009 with a one-man satire impersonating former US President George W Bush.
The Mark Twain Prize, established in 1998, recognizes people who have had an impact on society comparable to the 19th century satirist and writer of novels such as The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer.
Previous winners include actor Bill Cosby, stand-up comedian George Carlin, actor Steve Martin and playwright Neil Simon.