Julia Louis-Dreyfus is set to accept yet another honor. The eight-time Emmy winner has been named the recipient of this year’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, Deadline confirms. The “Veep” star will accept the prestigious award at a gala October 21 at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall in Washington, D.C.
Given in recognition of “individuals who have had an impact on American society in ways similar to the distinguished 19th-century novelist and essayist Samuel Clemens, best known as Mark Twain,” the prize’s previous recipients include Tina Fey, Carol Burnett, and Whoopi Goldberg.
“Like Mark Twain, Julia has enriched American culture with her iconic, unforgettable, and outright hilarious brand of humor,” commented Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter. “Over four decades, her wildly original characters and her gift for physical comedy have left us in stitches. Julia is a role model for so many, and we look forward to honoring her on October 21.”
Louis-Dreyfus showed off her sense of humor in a statement. She said, “Merely to join the list of distinguished recipients of this award would be honor enough, but, as a student of both American history and literature, the fact that Mr. Twain himself will be presenting the award to me in person is particularly gratifying.” The “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” author died well over a century ago.
Tied for most-ever Emmy wins as a performer, Louis-Dreyfus has taken home six for her role as politician Selina Meyer on HBO’s “Veep.” The comedy will return for its seventh and final season next year. Louis-Dreyfus also won an Emmy for her work on “Seinfeld” and one for her performance in “The New Adventures of Old Christine.”
“Saying women aren’t funny is like women can’t smell, they can’t breathe,” the “SNL” alumna has said. “I think the way I have sort of motored through [misogyny] is to not think of it as a challenge. Because I don’t. There is sexism — I’m not denying its existence. But I’m saying that I will deny its effort against me. I just pay it no never mind, and say, ‘Get out of my way.'”
