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WASHINGTON -- David Letterman's job was to make America laugh five nights a week, but he also didn't mind making his audience uncomfortable. The late-night host's irascible, independent streak inspired fierce loyalty from fans and critics and led to his being honored with the nation's top prize for humor.
Letterman, 70, is this year's recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, the Kennedy Center announced Tuesday. He is the 20th humorist to receive the prize, which began in 1998. Last fall, he delivered a warm tribute on stage at the Kennedy Center as Bill Murray, a frequent guest on his show, accepted the award.
Letterman hosted more than 6,000 episodes of late-night television, starting in 1982 with NBC's "Late Night with David Letterman." Long considered the heir apparent to Johnny Carson, he ended up losing the "Tonight Show" job to rival Jay Leno. Instead, he signed with CBS, where he hosted "The Late Show" from 1993 until his retirement in 2015.
The Twain prize is given annually to a humorist whose impact on American society is reminiscent of Samuel Clemens, the 19th-Century novelist, satirist and social commentator better known as Mark Twain. Letterman also is a past recipient of Kennedy Center Honors for his influence on American culture.
"This is an exciting honor," Letterman, who declined interviews, said in a statement. "For 33 years, there was no better guest, no greater friend of the show, than Mark Twain. The guy could really tell a story."
An Indiana native, Letterman graduated from Ball State University and got his start in local television as a weathercaster. He moved to Los Angeles to pursue stand-up comedy and made numerous appearances on Carson's "Tonight Show" in the 1970s.
Letterman will accept the prize in an Oct. 22 gala at the Kennedy Center. Past recipients of the prize include Richard Pryor, Lily Tomlin and Steve Martin.