Over the years, Carol Burnett has entertained our families with her witty humor and she will finally be awarded for her accomplishments. The Kennedy Center has selected Burnett to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
This makes her the first woman to win both the Mark Twain Prize and Kennedy Center Honors.
"I can't believe I'm getting a humor prize from the Kennedy Center," Burnett said in a statement. "It's almost impossible to be funnier than the people in Washington."
Burnett, 80, is most well known for her show "The Carol Burnett Show" which was ranked no. 16 on TV Guide's 50 Greatest TV Shows of All Time and won a total of 25 Emmys. The variety show ran for 11 years between 1967 and 1978.
"From her television program and appearances, as well as her performances on Broadway and in film, Carol Burnett has entertained generations of fans with her vibrant wit and hilarious characters," said David Rubenstein, Kennedy Center Chairman, in a statement.
"She is iconic, really funny and has been her entire life," said the executive producer of the show, Cappy McGarr. "She makes us laugh at ourselves and laugh together. That's the great thing about Carol Burnett."
Past recipients of this award include Richard Pryor, Whoopi Goldberg, Bill Cosby, Billy Crystal, Will Ferrell and Tina Fey.
Burnett will be adding this award to her ever-growing collection that includes five Emmy Awards, five Golden Globes and Presidential Medal of Freedom, which she was awarded by then President George W. Bush.
The former Oscar host has appeared in numerous television programs including "Mad About You" and "Glee" as well as in films such as 1982's "Annie" and "Noise's Off."
Burnett will be honored at the October 20th awards ceremony at the Kennedy Center, which PBS will broadcast on October 30th.
