Conan O'Brien Receives 2025 Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

Conan O'Brien received the 26th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at a Kennedy Center ceremony marked by both celebration and controversy, following a recent overhaul of the center's leadership and artistic mission. Despite boycotts by some performers in response to these changes, many top comedians—including David Letterman, Will Ferrell, Adam Sandler, Nikki Glaser, Bill Burr, Stephen Colbert, and Andy Richter—attended to honor O'Brien's enduring comedic legacy. The event featured tributes, comedic jabs at the current political climate, and revived classic characters from O'Brien's career, with presenters balancing humor and pointed commentary about the uncertain future of the prize. O'Brien was recognized for his decades-long influence on American comedy, spanning work on 'Saturday Night Live,' 'The Simpsons,' late-night television, and podcasts. The ceremony, streamed exclusively on Netflix, is seen by some as potentially the last of its kind at the Kennedy Center under the new administration. O'Brien's career achievements and the star-studded celebration highlighted both his impact on comedy and the prize's significance amid political upheaval.