Bill Murray awarded Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize

Bill Murray accepted the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday at the Kennedy Center, joining fellow Saturday Night Live alums Tina Fey, Will Ferrell, and Eddie Murphy, who have already received the award.

Several friends and former co-stars spoke, including Steve Martin, Jimmy Kimmel, Sigourney Weaver, and David Letterman, whose late night show Murray appeared on 44 times. Murray shot to stardom on SNL and was nominated for an Oscar for Lost in Translation, but is also known for his habit of showing up out of nowhere at wedding receptions, parties, intramural games, even the White House press room.

In a sentimental moment, Murray shared that he was able to get into improv theater because of his older brother, Brian Doyle-Murray, who went to work at a young age after their father died. "My brother had more guts than anyone I ever knew, and the only reason I'm here tonight is because of the guts of my brother Brian," Murray said. "He's been waiting a long time to hear that." The ceremony will air Friday on PBS.

Subscribe to The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up