Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/carol-burnett-given-mark-twain-prize-for-american-humor Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Hysterical woman gets Mark Twain Prize Nation Oct 20, 2013 3:46 PM EST A pioneer of American comedy will be honored tonight at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Carol Burnett will be the 16th winner of the prize, which has gone to the likes of Tina Fey, Bill Cosby, Ellen DeGeneres and Steve Martin. Burnett, best known for her hit variety series, "The Carol Burnett Show", had reportedly been asked to receive the award years ago, but was unable to make the ceremony. Burnett got her big break on the Ed Sullivan show, poking fun at then Secretary of State John Foster Dulles. She recounted the experience to PBS for the series, "Pioneers of Television". A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now
A pioneer of American comedy will be honored tonight at the Kennedy Center in Washington DC with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Carol Burnett will be the 16th winner of the prize, which has gone to the likes of Tina Fey, Bill Cosby, Ellen DeGeneres and Steve Martin. Burnett, best known for her hit variety series, "The Carol Burnett Show", had reportedly been asked to receive the award years ago, but was unable to make the ceremony. Burnett got her big break on the Ed Sullivan show, poking fun at then Secretary of State John Foster Dulles. She recounted the experience to PBS for the series, "Pioneers of Television". A free press is a cornerstone of a healthy democracy. Support trusted journalism and civil dialogue. Donate now