Billy Crystal Acceptance Speech | 2007 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."

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Michaels (2004), Steve Martin (2005), Neil Simon (2006), Billy Crystal (2007), George Carlin (2008), Bill Cosby (2009, rescinded in 2018) Tina Fey (2010), Will Ferrell (2011), Ellen DeGeneres (2012), Carol Burnett (2013) Jay Leno (2014), Eddie Murphy (2015), Bill Murray (2016), David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

[deanronson]

Billy is the best combination of a stand-up comedian and a comedic actor.

[nathelondon]

That man is multi talented. Actor. Comedian. Writer. Director. Orator. That speech was so sincere and heartwarming. Billy Crystal is a national treasure. A great Jew. A family man. And a great American. A dying breed unfortunately

[SpoookyBooogie]

Absolutely incredible public speaking. I've watched the last 15 years or so of speaches and this is so well done. Dave Chapelle on Jon Stewart is also really good for a different reason, but wow, this is perfection.

[elisolomon]

The world is a better place for having Billy Crystal, in it.

[mitchfromtheinternet]

Billy Crystal’s public speaking is just amazing.

[daren]

Talented and gracious. They broke the mold with this man.

[jaredoaks]

He speaks true comedy and true love. Beautiful!

[kayecurren]

That is the best acceptance talk I have ever heard. And I'm old. Love you, Billy!

[tomripsin]

A hilarious comedian, and a genuinely decent man.

[Bruno-hojl]

This is probably the best acceptance speech i have ever viewed. While all Mark Twain recipients deserve their awards Crystal is by far the best. He is not only a great comedian, he a great public speaker and an even greater story teller. Twain would be proud.

[fredlifsitz]

Billy hits another grand slam. Fabulous

[stephenmccollum]

Wonderful speech and what a family man!!

[gloriatiano]

One they Very Best comedians . Great speech

[patsheppard]

Thank you for all the great moments you have given us. Thank you to you tube for sharing them with us the public because we all enjoy Billy’s comedy over his lifetime.

[cloudwalker]

A great!!!! acceptance speach 😊👏👏👏👏👏🇨🇦

[bossfan]

Been a fan of Billy since the "Soap" days. Always funny, never took cheap shots at anyone. So many great characters/roles on SNL (Muhammad Ali, Howard Cosell, Sammy Davis, Jr., Fernando Lamas, Buddy Young, Jr. ..) Running Scared, When Harry Met Sally, City Slickers, Mr. Saturday Night, 9 time Academy Awards host, Monsters,

[SOMEBROAD]

Love Billy 💯 his 700 Sundays is such a wonderful beautiful show

[SteveBrant]

I teared up when he talked about his wife ... then laughed at his Mississippi River analogy!

[JavierArveloCruzSantana]

Billy Crystal is an American treasure. So eloquent. Check out his Ali memorial eulogy.

[jmartin]

Samuel Clemmons, got his name Mark Twain when working on the boats, and on the rudder of the boats were the markings and it started as Mark One, Mark Twain for Mark Two . I am now looking forward to reading Mark Twain again .