Will Ferrell to Receive 2011 Mark Twain Prize for Humor

Since 1998, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor has been awarded to some of the biggest names in entertainment: Richard Pryor, Carl Reiner, Neil Simon, and George Carlin to name a few.

This year, the Kennedy Center will present the 14th Annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor to Will Ferrell on Sunday, October 23, 2011 at 7 p.m. The award, named to honor one of America's-and the world's-greatest humorists, will feature a lineup of the biggest names in comedy.

A cast of top entertainers will salute Will Ferrell in the Concert Hall at the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The evening will pay tribute to the humor and accomplishments of the television icon and motion picture star.

The broadcast is traditionally a popular special on television, and, each year, the show continues to grow in audience appeal. In addition to the performance and Prize presentation, guests are invited to the post-show dinner reception with the artists, held on the Center's Roof Terrace Level.

Special Access Packages are available at the $50,000; $25,000; $10,000; and $5,000 levels. Single tickets are $1,000 each.

The proceeds from the evening's event are used to support the Kennedy Center's programs, performances and outreach activities.

In 2009, Ferrell debuted on Broadway by headlining the sold out, one-man comedy show You're Welcome America. A Final Night with George W Bush. Nominated for a Tony Award in the "Best Special Event" category and directed by longtime collaborator, Adam McKay, Ferrell perfected his infamous Saturday Night Live character "President George W. Bush." At the end of its Broadway run, Ferrell performed the show in its entirety live on HBO. Ferrell's film credits include The Other Guys, Megamind, Stranger Than Fiction (Golden Globe nomination), Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby, Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, Zoolander, Elf, the Woody Allen feature Melinda and Melinda, Old School, and the screen adaptation of The Producers, which earned Ferrell his first Golden Globe nomination in 2006 for Best Supporting Actor. Ferrell's latest project is set to star in the independent feature Everything Must Go, directed by Dan Rush. Based on a Raymond Carver short story, Ferrell portrays an alcoholic who has relapsed and in turn loses his wife and job.

For more information, visit http://www.kennedy-center.org/programs/specialevents/marktwain/.

 

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