Eddie Murphy’s films are among the highest-grossing comedies of all time. “Shrek,” “Trading Places,” and ”Coming to America,” all helped to make Murphy a household name, and this year the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will award the “48 Hours” star the nation’s top prize for humor, officials said Thursday.
Some fans love Murphy, 54, for his standup routines and his breakout sketches on “Saturday Night Live”. On Oct. 18th, the nationally broadcast show will award him the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, exalting those who influence society in the tradition of Samuel Clemens, the writer, satirist and social commentator also known as Mark Twain.
Through his performances, Murphy “has shown that like Mark Twain, he was years ahead of his time,” said Kennedy Center President Deborah Rutter.
“He is truly a transformative comedian and humorist,” Cappy McGarr, one of the humor prize show’s executive producers, said. “Like Mark Twain, he talks about provocative issues and he is really, really funny while doing it”. Murphy has had a “consistently brilliant comedic career.”
In a statement, Murphy said he was deeply honored by the recognition, and to join the list of past recipients of the Twain Prize. Former honorees include Jay Leno, Tina Fey, Billy Crystal and Whoopi Goldberg.
Comedic actors including Tracy Morgan, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock and Samuel L. Jackson have all acknowledged the Academy Award Nominee for his comedic impact and for his trailblazing work in films.
The “Party All The Time” entertainer only makes rare appearances now and maintains he is retired.
