Murphy receives top U.S. humor prize at Kennedy Center
WASHINGTON — A star-studded lineup of comedians including Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, George Lopez, Kathy Griffin and Arsenio Hall honored Eddie Murphy as an “American icon.”
The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presented the comedian Sunday with the Mark Twain Prize, the nation’s top prize for humor.
The evening’s most emotional tribute came from “Saturday Night Live” alum Tracy Morgan, who received a standing ovation from the audience. He called Murphy his “comedic hero.”
Morgan survived a serious car crash last year that left him in a coma. Morgan said Murphy was the first person to call him on the phone and make him laugh after the tragic accident that killed a passenger in the limo and seriously injured two others
“He’s the reason I’m in comedy. He’s the reason I have a job. He’s the reason I have a career,” Morgan said.
Among the other SNL alumni who paid tribute to Murphy were Jay Pharoah, Kevin Nealon and Joe Piscopo.
“Some people are just blessed with talent, and with Eddie, it was just luck,” Nealon ribbed.
Nealon said Murphy saved SNL from slumping ratings in the 1980s, and he hoped he could also save the Kennedy Center from becoming the Trump Center.
“I can see the slot machines in the lobby,” Nealon joked.
Murphy called the prize a “tremendous honor,” but asked the center to clear up any confusion over the prize for future recipients.
“Actually, it’s an award, but they call it a prize,” he said. “Usually when there’s a prize, there’s money.”
Murphy also took jabs at one his “heroes” — previous Mark Twain honoree Bill Cosby. Murphy joked, you know you’ve messed up “when they want you to give your trophy back.”
The tribute will be broadcast Nov. 23 on PBS.