Dave Chappelle will be the recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, given annually by the Kennedy Center.
Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter said in a statement: "Dave is the embodiment of Mark Twain's observation that 'against the assault of humor, nothing can stand. For three decades, Dave has challenged us to see hot-button issues from his entirely original yet relatable perspective."
The comedian is best known for his standup comedy and his sketch series, "Chappelle's Show." Last year's honoree was Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and othe past recipients have included Richard Pryor, Whoopi Goldberg, Lily Tomlin and George Carlin.
Chappelle, who is from Washington, D.C., will receive the honor in a ceremony and gala performance October 27. The program will air on PBS on January 6.
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