Jon Stewart may no longer be a nocturnal presence in American living rooms, but he’s kept busy making a movie, join twitter, making appearances on friend Stephen Colbert’s “Late Show,” debuting on his own, and now, winning a comedy award.
The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced Tuesday that it will recognize the political satire and activism of the 59-year-old former “Daily Show” host when it presents him with its 23rd annual Mark Twain for American Humor, awarded to individuals who have “impacted American society in a manner similar to” Twain, at a ceremony on April 24.
Stewart, who hosted “The Daily Show With Jon Stewart” on Comedy Central for 16 years, retired in 2015 to pursue other passions, including filmmaking and social activism on behalf of 9/11 first responders. Last fall, he launched a new bi-weekly comedy show on Apple TV+, “The Trouble with Jon Stewart,” which brings together people affected by different parts of a global problem, like war and economic issues, to discuss of the way forward.
Deborah F. Rutter, President of the Kennedy Center, said in a statement, “For more than three decades, Jon Stewart has illuminated our lives and challenged our spirits by delivering current events and social satire with his signature wit and wisdom. For me, listening to his TV programs over the years has always been both entertainment and truth.
Previous winners of the Mark Twain Prize are Bill Murray, Dave Chappelle, David Letterman, Eddie Murphy, Jay Leno, Carol Burnett and Ellen DeGeneres. The award has been given annually since 1998, except for pandemic years 2020 and 2021. The award was also given to Bill Cosby, in 2009, but the Kennedy Center rescinded it in 2018 after it was recognized guilty of sexual assault. His conviction was overturned by a Pennsylvania court last year.
