Bill CosbyBill Cosby has been named this year’s recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

The 71-year-old actor, comedian and activist will receive the award at the Kennedy Center’s Concert Hall on Oct. 26, where he will be saluted by other huge names in comedy.

Kennedy Centre chairman Stephen Schwartzman lauded Cosby’s “groundbreaking brand of humor” in a statement released Wednesday.

In his own statement, Cosby said he has been inspired by many of Twain’s stories and recalled how his mother introduced him to the world of the 19th-century novelist and essayist at an early age.

“After bathing us, dressing us in fresh pajamas, and setting us into the crib together, Annie Pearl Cosby read to my brother James and me ‘The Adventures of Tom Sawyer,’ and later, ‘The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,’” he said.

“I would like to apologize to Mr. Twain for falling asleep hundreds of times, but he should understand that I was only four.”

A Philadelphia native, Cosby got his start in standup before moving on to TV stardom, most notably as the star and producer of the popular 1980s sitcom “The Cosby Show.” He has also released numerous comedy albums and written several best-selling books, including “Fatherhood” and “Time Flies.”

As the 12th recipient of the prize, Cosby joins the ranks of past honourees such as George Carlin, Steve Martin, Whoopi Goldberg and Richard Pryor.






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