7 Hilarious Comedians Who Have Received The Mark Twain Prize For American Humor

Kevin Hart is the 2024 recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. Comedy is certainly subjective. However, Hart has been putting in the work for years, and those who won the award before him did too. Their work includes movies, shows, stand-up, and other platforms where they display their comedic skills. In this list, we’re looking back at some of the past winners. We’re sure you’ll recognize all the names and hopefully, see a personal favorite of yours too. You might even learn something new about them.

Read More: Kevin Hart Net Worth 2023: What Is The Hollywood Star Worth?

Richard Pryor

 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
NEW YORK, NY – MARCH 8: Richard Pryor is photographed at ‘Night of 100 Stars’ event March 8, 1982 in New York City. (Photo by Yvonne Hemsey/Getty Images)

Richard Pryor was not only the first Black person to win the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, he was the first person to win the award ever. Many people across generations have high praise for Richard Pryor’s influential comedian chops. For many people, he was among the first comedians to capture their attention. Pryor also made his way into several movies. These include Lady Sings The Blues, The Mack, Car Wash, The Wiz, and The Muppets Movie. In terms of television, he found bittersweet success. He was the first black host of Saturday Night Live and also received his own variety show in 1977. However, the show was canceled after four episodes due to its content which Pryor refused to change despite censorship laws.

Richard Pryor was also the first Black actor to earn a million dollars for a movie role with Stir Crazy. Pryor continued to appear in films and television until his last role in 1999. He continues to be celebrated by comedians of all generations today.

Whoopi Goldberg

 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
Whoopi Goldberg accepts awards; “On Stage at the Kennedy Center: The Mark Twain Prize” will air November 21, at 9 p.m. on PBS. (Photo by KMazur/WireImage/Getty Images)

In 2001, Whoopi Goldberg was the first Black woman to win the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. This is one of several awards she’s earned which all culminate in her EGOT status. For some people, Whoopi is known as the calm voice of reason on The View. However, she had a long and eventful career before making her way to that panel. She’s starred in several classic films including The Color Purple, Ghost, both Sister Act movies, and The Lion King. Whoopi’s distinct voice has given her a lot of opportunities, too. She has done narration for a variety of programs, appeared in person and via clips at theme parks, hosted award shows, become a spokesperson for ad campaigns, and more. 

Whoopi’s career has not been without controversy. She’s commented on a variety of topics which sometimes resulted in her issuing an apology. However, people still admire her consistency in sharing her opinions, even if they don’t agree with them. Still, this doesn’t take away from any of her accomplishments and the trailblazing she did.

Read More: Whoopi Goldberg Is Trying To Make “Sister Act 3” Happen, Says No One Was Interested

Eddie Murphy

 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 18: Eddie Murphy arrives at the Kennedy Center for the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor ceremony that honored Eddie Murphy on Sunday October 18, 2015 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Matt McClain/ The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Eddie Murphy’s 2015 win of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor comes as no surprise. Many people hail Eddie Murphy as one of the best comedians of all time. His stand-up special, Delirious, from 1983, is hailed as one of the greatest stand-up shows of all time. Before becoming a movie star, he was a part of the cast of Saturday Night Live from 1980 to 1984. This is where he solidified his status as a top-tier comedian. His initial movie roles were quite successful, starring in the Beverly Hills Cop movies, Trading Places and 48 Hrs. He gained even more praise for his comedic acting skills in Coming To America and The Nutty Professor movies, where he took on multiple roles. Murphy’s voice has also become iconic with him voicing Mushu in Mulan and Donkey in the Shrek franchise. 

While Murphy’s overall career is critically acclaimed, not all of his movies have performed well critically or commercially. Still, he pushed through and bounced back from the less-than-stellar ones with the universally acclaimed Dolomite is My Name in 2019. And, in 2023, he starred in Kenya Barris’ You People and the family-friendly Candy Cane Lane. Both movies got favorable reviews from viewers with many saying the latter would be a yearly watch.

Dave Chappelle

Mark Twain Award for American Humor
Comedian Dave Chappelle arrives on stage at the Kennedy Center for the Mark Twain Award for American Humor on October 27, 2019 in Washington, DC. – This years’ award recipient is comedian Dave Chappelle. (Photo by Alex Edelman / AFP) (Photo by ALEX EDELMAN/AFP via Getty Images)

Dave Chappelle’s win of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is a unique one. Typically, the ceremony for the award features various comedians talking about their connection to the winner, giving them praise, and sharing stories. Chapelle’s ceremony still included these moments but also footage from his stand-up routines in various locations. Most audiences know him for his sketch comedy series Chappelle’s Show. The show is still referenced today through memes and various catchphrases. Even considering this, stand-up comedy remained his bread and butter. However, as the years have gone by, a variety of backlash arose from his material. Controversy seems to follow him as he hosted Saturday Night Live after a Presidential election twice and naturally spoke unfiltered about it both times. 

In a huge deal with Netflix in 2016, Chappelle did three comedy specials for them and was paid $20 million for each. However, several of his jokes resulted in corporate backlash for Netflix with employees attempting to push back against the anti-LGBTQ+ material in his specials. Dave Chappelle has always been unfiltered but these days, more and more people have been responding to what he says. 

Read More: Funniest Moments From Dave Chappelle’s “Making The Band” Skit

Will Ferrell

mark twain prize
WASHINGTON, DC – OCTOBER 23: Actor comedian Will Ferrell joking gives the thumbs down sign during his introduction as the Mark Twain Prize for Humor honoree at the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC on October 20, 2011. At left is his wife, Viveca Paulson. (Photo by Linda Davidson / The Washington Post via Getty Images)

Will Ferrel won the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2011 and has been celebrated by many people for his absurd and visual based humor. Like some of our other entries, his career began on Saturday Night Live in 1995 and he’s hosted the show before too. The movies he’s starred in, such as Talladega Nights, Step Brothers, Elf, Anchorman and The Other Guys are regarded as comedy classics of the modern era. However, one of his most surprising television appearances was as a minor character on Living Single – this happened before he joined the Saturday Night Live cast. Will Ferrell is also one of the co-founders of the comedy website and production company Funny or Die. Since beginning in 2007, the site has featured a myriad of actors in their online content and most recently produced the movie Weird: The Al Yankovic Story.

Adam Sandler

mark twain prize
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 19: Adam Sandler onstage during the 24th Annual Mark Twain Prize For American Humor at The Kennedy Center on March 19, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)

Adam Sandler’s dramatic performance in Uncut Gems might be what most people associate with him now but his comedic ventures earned him the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2023 – years after that movie took over the timelines in 2019. He’s yet another Saturday Night Live alumni and was on the show from 1990 to 1995. Sandler’s career contains some well-received comedies, some less than well-received ones, and some romantic comedies.

In recent years, Sandler entered a deal with Netflix which was renewed in 2020. His movies on the platform actually broke a record or two for viewership, validating his success with them. Naturally, he did some comedic movies which got mixed fractions. However, his more dramatic roles in 2017’s The Meyerowitz Stories and 2022’s Hustle, were met with critical acclaim. Sandler’s Netflix deal also included a stand-up special in 2018, his first one in over 20 years. He announced another one in 2024. Most recently, he voiced the lead character in their 2023 animated movie Leo.

Kevin Hart

mark twain prize
WASHINGTON, DC – MARCH 24: Kevin Hart speaks on stage during the 25th Annual Mark Twain Prize For American Humor at The Kennedy Center on March 24, 2024 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Paul Morigi/Getty Images)

Kevin Hart is the most recent recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. His career has been elevating since his stand-up specials I’m A Grown Little Man, Seriously Funny and Laugh At My Pain brought him in front of new audiences from 2009 to 2011. Since then he’s had multiple starring roles in movies, gotten an interview series on YouTube and Peacock and truly become a household name. He’s even expanded beyond comedic roles and starred most recently in Netflix’s Lift and before that, a Netflix drama series called True Story with co-star Wesley Snipes. 

Hart’s production Laugh Out Loud productions are also quite successful. They’ve made partnership deals with a variety of streaming platforms and produced multiple types of video-based content. This content has earned multiple award nominations and wins. Hart’s career continues to expand as he does more and more roles in a variety of places. His journey as a comedian has been one of elevation that many of his supporters have watched in real-time. 

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Donnell Rawlings Net Worth 2024: What Is The Comedian Worth?

Donnell Rawlings, widely recognized for his infectious humor and charismatic presence, has carved a notable niche in the realm of comedy. As audiences continue to revel in his wit and comedic prowess, many wonder about the financial standing of this seasoned comedian. Delving into his journey from humble beginnings to the heights of success, we explore Donnell Rawlings’ net worth in 2024 and the factors that have contributed to his financial prosperity.

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The Early Comedy Career Of Donnell Rawlings

donnell rawlings
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 09: Comedian Donnell Rawlings performs onstage during the TBS Comedy Festival 2017 – The Last O.G.’s Presents: A Toast To The O.G.’s Of Comedy With Tracy Morgan & Cedric The Entertainer on November 9, 2017 in New York City. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for TBS)

Born and raised in Washington, D.C., Donnell Rawlings embarked on his comedy journey with determination and passion. Early on, he honed his comedic skills in local comedy clubs, captivating audiences with his sharp wit and relatable humor. Rawlings’ dedication to perfecting his craft paved the way for opportunities on the comedy circuit, setting the stage for his eventual breakthrough.

Breakout Moment & Rise To Prominence

donnell rawlings
NEW YORK, NY – JUNE 19: Comedian Donnell Rawlings performs at Radio City Music Hall on June 19, 2014 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images)

Donnell Rawlings’ breakthrough came with his role as a cast member on the iconic comedy sketch show, Chappelle’s Show. Collaborating with the legendary Dave Chappelle, Rawlings became synonymous with memorable characters and hilarious sketches, earning widespread acclaim from audiences and critics alike. Moreover, his contributions to the show solidified his status as a comedic force to be reckoned with and propelled him to newfound heights of fame and recognition.

Venturing beyond the confines of television, Rawlings embarked on successful stand-up tours, further captivating audiences with his electrifying performances and razor-sharp comedic timing. His ability to connect with diverse audiences through laughter further solidified his position as one of the most beloved comedians in the industry.

Read More: Donnell Rawlings Remembers Filling In For An Iconic Stan Lee Cameo

Filmography & Other Ventures Contributing To Donnell Rawlings’ Net Worth

donnell rawlings
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – APRIL 01: Donnell Rawlings onstage during April Fools Comedy Jam presented by Rip Michaels at Barclays Center on April 01, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Johnny Nunez/WireImage)

In addition to his television and stand-up comedy endeavors, Donnell Rawlings has expanded his presence into the world of film and entertainment. With notable roles in various comedy films and television series, including Spider-Man 2, The Wire, and BMF,  Rawlings has showcased his versatility as a performer and further enhanced his financial standing.

Moreover, Rawlings’ entrepreneurial spirit has led him to explore various business ventures, including podcasting and brand partnerships, which have undoubtedly bolstered his net worth. Through strategic collaborations and a relentless work ethic, Rawlings has solidified his position as a prominent figure in the entertainment industry while continuing to amass wealth and success.

Conclusion

In 2024, Donnell Rawlings’ net worth is estimated to be around $2 million, per CA Knowledge, a testament to his unwavering dedication, talent, and entrepreneurial acumen. From his humble beginnings in the world of comedy to his meteoric rise to prominence, Rawlings has remained a steadfast force in the entertainment industry, captivating audiences with his humor and charm. As he continues to evolve and expand his reach, there’s no doubt that Donnell Rawlings will remain a fixture in comedy for years to come, leaving an indelible mark on the hearts and minds of fans worldwide.

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A Clip Of Prince Shooting A Basket On Stage Made His Infamous ‘Chappelle’s Show’ Sketch Trend All Over Again

Prince was a legendary musician who happened to be very good at basketball, and basically every mention of this now involves Dave Chappelle thanks to Charlie Murphy. So it’s no surprise that a video that circulated of Prince playing basketball made the legendary sketch comedy segment trend once again on Thursday.

Basically, any sight of Prince playing basketball evoked memories of one of the most famous sketches from Chappelle’s Show, in which Charlie Murphy retells a story about Eddie Murphy’s crew playing pickup hoops against Prince after a night at the club. You can watch this sketch below, in case you have not seen it yet.

On Thursday, another clip of Prince with a basketball started circulating on Twitter. The clip came during a concert, with the musician spinning a basketball on his finger and shooting a jumper.

The clip was shared all over Twitter, with plenty of people quote-tweeting it and claiming it’s proof that Charlie Murphy’s story was true.

Though many reminisced about the sketch, for some it was the first time they saw it or even knew Prince had a basketball history. Which is why some other photos of Prince in uniform also made the rounds on Thursday as well.

The video was enough to get “Charlie Murphy” to trend on Twitter, and give a new group of people online more chances to say “game, blouses.”