Before hosting this year’s Oscars, comedian Conan O’Brien will accept his own big award. The Emmy Award winner, set to host the 97th Academy Awards on March 2, will be honored with the 2025 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

Conan O’Brien is the 2025 recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for lifetime achievement in comedy, honored 'not for humor, but for [his] work as a riverboat pilot.'

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.

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.

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

"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.

The comedian and former late-night talk show host will be given the Kennedy Center’s annual comedy honor at a ceremony in March.

Mark Twain Prize for American Humor honours individuals who have "had an impact on American society in ways similar to" Twain. View on euronews