Neil Simon Acceptance Speech | 2006 Mark Twain Prize

The Mark Twain Prize recognizes people who have had an impact on American society in ways similar to the distinguished 19th century novelist and essayist best known as Mark Twain. As a social commentator, satirist and creator of memorable characters, Samuel Clemens was a fearless observer of society, who startled and outraged many while delighting and informing many more with his uncompromising perspective of social injustice and personal folly. He revealed the great truth of humor when he said "against the assault of laughter nothing can stand."
For more information on the Mark Twain Prize, please visit: www.kennedy-center.org/pages/...
The inaugural Mark Twain Prize was presented to Richard Pryor during the first annual Kennedy Center Celebration of American Humor, October 20, 1998. The event was created by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Bob Kaminsky, Peter Kaminsky, Mark Krantz, and John Schreiber and is televised annually. The Kennedy Center is grateful to Cappy McGarr for his steadfast support of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor since its inception. Previous recipients of the Mark Twain include Richard Pryor (1998), Jonathan Winters (1999), Carl Reiner (2000), Whoopi Goldberg (2001), Bob Newhart (2002), Lily Tomlin (2003), Lorne Michaels (2004), Steve Martin (2005), Neil Simon (2006), Billy Crystal (2007), George Carlin (2008), Bill Cosby (2009, rescinded in 2018) Tina Fey (2010), Will Ferrell (2011), Ellen DeGeneres (2012), Carol Burnett (2013) Jay Leno (2014), Eddie Murphy (2015), Bill Murray (2016), David Letterman (2017), and Julia Louis-Dreyfus (2018).
#TwainPrize #PBSTwain
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[@HEAVYHONEY1]

One of my favorite writers ever! Murder By Death is one of the funniest films ever!!!!!! Where are all the comments? This gentleman is a legend.

[@Scyllax]

“Murder by Death” is the worst movie ever. How about “The Odd Couple”, The Eugene Jerome Trilogy (even though the math doesn’t work)?

[@viacrucis2509]

Grew up loving this guys stories!

[@Zonker66]

Performers are great at this stuff, it's in thier genes and their personalities. Seeing an introvert do the same earns my respect, it means more and I judge them kindly. Thanks for all the laughs, Mr. Simon.

[@tarnopol]

Only in America can a young turtle grow up to become a Mark Twain Prize-winning humorist.

[@carlosnunez9154]

Legend

[@Macca-rb5ok]

What a gentleman!

[@evanstravelchannel4905]

Neil Simon is an icon!!!

[@samjackcollection7413]

Black sheep?