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Michaels (2004), Steve Martin (2005), Neil Simon (2006), Billy Crystal (2007), George Carlin (2008), Bill Cosby (2009, rescinded in 2018) Tina Fey (2010), Will Ferrell (2011), Ellen DeGeneres (2012), Carol Burnett (2013) Jay Leno (2014), Eddie Murphy (2015), Bill Murray (2016), David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

[raincntry]

Steve Martin is one of those people whose funny comes from all angles. He's silly, he smart, he has gags, he has jokes, he is a immensely talented writer, performer and comedian.

[YouSoCouldHaveGotMe]

Who else is binge watching Steve Martin speeches?

[calomega]

And 16 years later he creates, writes and acts in “Only Murders in the Building” True genius

[chattyxg]

His speech is a proof that he deserved that award! Hilariously genius!

[iago]

I have the feeling that Mark Twain would have loved this.

[johncooper]

I have listened to these 100's of times. Maybe 200

[MichaelTaphouse]

I absolutely adore Steve Martin. One of the GOATs

[andymitchell]

In 1976, I spent the night in line for tickets for a Steve Martin performance. It was worth it.

[savewldlife]

The man is brilliant. His comedy genius and timing through all his work is impeccable. I can see why he has had a long term relationship with Paul Simon, they seem to be on the same page intellectually and musically. They love their folk music. Thank you Steve Martin, you wonderfully talented man. oxo

[jacintocabus]

Genius and every aspect of his story is hilarious and very different from the others. Unique, brave and his delivery is perfect. Very deep ang posses wide latitude of ideas. Salute to this legend.

[royalleftist]

I finished watching all the Mark Twain recipients' speech. This one was the funniest for me! 😂😂😂❤❤❤

[danwaldis]

He is so brilliant! How on earth did he do all that with a straight face? Just when you think he can't be funnier, then he gets funnier!

[rarethen]

i think this is his best speech ever. comedy at its finest. simply wonderful.

[TNbear]

I love this video. Any time I'm in a less than mood, I can watch this and brighten up, immediately. I love this kind of humor.

[TimeIdle]

"I hope that humor in America sustains in all its forms, from the body of reverence of iconoclasts and satirists to family fare that teaches us about ourselves in a light hearted and tender way. And it has been a great honor to be here tonight at the Kennedy Martin Center... OOPS... I wasn't supposed to say anything." The way he can slide from the sublime to the ridiculous with such ease is what makes him a comic genius.

[wrAIth-AI]

He was born a poor black child in Mississippi, and just look at him now.

[emal-ecgn]

I saw him live in 1979. He was filling arenas then. I could only afford the cheapest seats then, but it didn’t matter - it was a transcendant performance.

[donnatate]

What a treasure he is! I don't know how many times I've seen King Tut (he lived in Arizona, as I recall), or remembered a line from one of his movies and used it. Love you, and thanks for the laughs.

[geraldfrank]

Anything he doesn’t excel at?! Art collector extraordinaire, etc, maybe science? 🙏 What a man!

[christopheroneill]

Thank you for the memories of laughing with my family in the '70s to old king tut, the great play I saw about Picasso and Einstein and at the grove in Lincoln Nebraska with Martin Short. I love you and your Art. again Thank you. so much.