The comedian, podcaster and former late night host will be the 26th recipient of the award from the Kennedy Center.

The Kennedy Center announced Thursday that Conan O’Brien is the 26th recipient of its Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The 61-year-old writer, podcaster and former late-night host will accept the award March 23 — a few weeks after he hosts the Oscars — in the center’s 2,

"I am honored to be the first winner of the Mark Twain Prize recognized not for humor, but for my work as a riverboat pilot," O'Brien said in a release from The Kennedy Center.

Comedian Conan O'Brien was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for lifetime achievement in comedy. Known for his dynamic career, O'Brien moved from a 'Late Night' host to the 'Tonight Show' and, later, a new era with a show on TBS.

Conan O’Brien has been selected by The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to receive the 26th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor was first given to comedian Richard Pryor in 1998. Over the years, it’s been handed out to everyone from Carl Reiner and Neil Simon to Steve Martin, Bill Murray, Billy Crystal, Tina Fey, and Dave Chapelle. O’Brien made appearances in the past to honor Lorne Michaels, Will Ferrell, and Adam Sandler.

Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will present the 26th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor to Conan O’Brien on March 23, 2025, in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. The Prize, which is named to honor one of the world’s greatest humorists,

Conan O’Brien is the latest comedian to be feted at the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The former host of Conan and The Tonight Show will receive the award on March 23 at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.

Mark Twain recipients are honored with a night of testimonials and video tributes, often featuring previous award winners. The ceremony will stream on Netflix at a later date yet to be announced.