RSS
Home
Mark Twain Prize for American Humor 2009 goes to Bill Cosby
Print
Email
RSS
Subscribe
The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor 2009 goes to comedian
Bill Cosby. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin)
The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor 2009 goes to comedian, Bill Cosby. The announcement was made recently by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. The prize, named for famous and infamous novelist, short story writer, essayist, lecturer and humorist, Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) celebrated its 12th year this year.
According to its website, the Kennedy Center, as the nation's arts center, recognizes and presents all of the arts. The center established an evening of humor and this award "to recognize those who create humor from their uniquely American experiences."
Past winners:
- 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
Mr. Cosby has entertained American and worldwide audiences for well over 40 years as a comedian, actor, author, and producer. He has also been an activist for social change, particularly in the areas of education and the African American community. He holds a doctorate in education from the University of Massachusetts. Television programs with which he has been associated in front of, or behind, the camera include: I Spy; The Bill Cosby Show; A Different World; Cosby; and Kids Say the Darnedest Things. His comedy has been recorded on several award-winning albums. Mr. Cosby is the author of a series of books for children called Little Bill as well as other titles, such as Fatherhood.
The Mark Twain Prize award celebration was held at the Kennedy Center on October 26 and was recorded by PBS. PBS aired the program on television on November 4.
See Also:
Oprah Winfrey, Anderson Cooper plan 'biggest book club event ever' with 'Say You're One of Them'
National Book Award finalists to give group reading
Jude Law's 'Hamlet' on Broadway classified 'a hit'
Long Island's Bay Street Theatre stages 'Literature Live!'
Young Adult Pop Culture Examiner
Connie Ann Kirk is the author of 10 books and has a Ph.D. in English. She is currently at work on a novel and a screenplay. Contact Connie at: ConnieAnnKirkOnExaminer@gmail.com. Check out all of her pages on Examiner: National Books on Film Examiner ; National Literature Examiner; and the National Young Adult Pop Cullture Examiner. Feel free to drop by Connie's website any time.
Related Articles:
Add a Comment
Single, married or something in between? Find what you need for Valentine's Day.
