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Conan O'Brien was honoured with the Mark Twain Prize for lifetime achievement in comedy at a ceremony on Sunday night at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, amidst ongoing tensions surrounding the institution's leadership. O'Brien, 61, was announced as the recipient of the prestigious award in January, just weeks before President Donald Trump made significant changes to the Kennedy Center, removing its long-time president and chairman of the board. Trump replaced the board with his loyalists, who then elected him as chairman. Faria's call for action against misogyny leads to man's termination from Sajida Foundation During the event, O'Brien was celebrated with tributes and messages from a host of comics and celebrities, many of whom also addressed the uncertain future of the institution. "I think it would be insane not to address the elephant in the room," comedian Nikki Glaser remarked before the event. "It's in the air tonight. This night is about Conan, but it can be both." As the ceremony got underway, Stephen Colbert joked about the addition of two new board members: Bashar Assad, the former president of Syria, and Skeletor, a fictional villain. John Mulaney humorously suggested that the building might soon be renamed “the Roy Cohn Pavilion,” in reference to one of Trump’s mentors. Sarah Silverman made several Trump-related jokes, though many were too explicit to be shared. Trump had stated on social media that the individuals removed from the board “do not share our Vision for a Golden Age in Arts and Culture.” How this vision unfolds remains unclear, but Trump has expressed interest in booking more Broadway shows and has proposed granting Kennedy Center Honors to actor Sylvester Stallone and singer Paul Anka. Amid this turmoil, O'Brien steps into the spotlight, known for his more lighthearted and self-deprecating comedic style. While his work has generally avoided overtly political themes, he has tackled sensitive societal issues. In 2011, O'Brien officiated a live gay wedding on his show, marrying his longtime costume designer, Scott Cronick, and his partner, David Gorshein. O'Brien gained national attention in 1993 when he replaced David Letterman as the host of “Late Night,” despite having no significant on-screen experience. Previously a writer for "Saturday Night Live" and "The Simpsons," he had made only occasional appearances as a background extra. He went on to host “Late Night” for 16 years, longer than any other host. Later, O'Brien was chosen to replace Jay Leno as the host of “The Tonight Show,” but his tenure ended in failure after just seven months. Following a public dispute with NBC over declining ratings and the return of Leno, O'Brien received a multimillion-dollar payout to exit the network in early 2010. O'Brien then moved to TBS, where he continued hosting a talk show, launching popular podcasts and travel series. His travel show “Conan O’Brien Must Go” received both critical and audience acclaim, with a second season underway. Recently, his hosting of the Academy Awards was met with positive feedback, leading the producers to announce his return next year. Since Trump’s takeover of the Kennedy Center, several artists, including “Hamilton” producers and actress/writer Issa Rae, have cancelled planned appearances. Others, like comedian W. Kamau Bell, have addressed the controversy directly during performances, while cellist Erin Murphy Snedecor ended her recent set with the protest song "All You Fascists Bound to Lose." Salman Khan attends Sikandar trailer launch with father Salim Khan Previous recipients of the lifetime achievement award include David Letterman, Jay Leno, George Carlin, Whoopi Goldberg, Bob Newhart, Carol Burnett, Bill Murray, and Dave Chappelle. The ceremony will be available for streaming on Netflix later this year, although the date has not yet been confirmed.

Comedian and TV host Conan O'Brien was announced on Thursday as the latest recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for lifetime achievement in comedy, reports AP. At 61, O'Brien has built an unexpected and impressive career, transitioning from a quirky television newcomer to a respected figure in comedy. His journey included overcoming one of the most public failures in television history with “The Tonight Show,” only to recover and establish a long-lasting, successful career. Actor Saif Ali Khan stabbed in attempted burglary, undergoes surgery His travel series, “Conan O'Brien Must Go,” earned both critical and popular praise, with a second season set to air. In March, O'Brien will host the Academy Awards, followed by the Mark Twain ceremony in Washington just three weeks later. Deborah Rutter, president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, described O'Brien as “a master of invention and reinvention, consistently pushing the envelope in search of new comedic heights.” O'Brien humorously reflected on the honour, joking in a statement that he would be the first Mark Twain Prize recipient known not for his humour, but for his work as a riverboat pilot. He will be celebrated on March 23, during a ceremony where he will receive a bronze bust of Samuel Clemens, the real name of the legendary American writer and satirist. Melissa Rivers recounts grabbing valued possessions before Pacific Palisades fire burned home down The Mark Twain ceremony is a night of tributes, including testimonials and video tributes from previous awardees. The event will later be streamed on Netflix, though the release date is yet to be confirmed. O'Brien's rise to fame began in 1993, when he replaced the legendary David Letterman as host of “Late Night,” despite having little on-camera experience. Prior to this, the former Harvard Lampoon editor had been a writer for “Saturday Night Live” and “The Simpsons,” occasionally appearing as a background extra on SNL skits. O'Brien’s unique, awkward energy contrasted sharply with Letterman's deadpan style. He often poked fun at his own gangly appearance and felt out of place for the role. O'Brien went on to host “Late Night” for 16 years, longer than any other host. In 2009, O'Brien's career took a dramatic turn when he was chosen to replace Jay Leno as the host of “The Tonight Show,” despite warnings that Leno was reluctant to give up the position. After seven months of poor ratings, NBC brought Leno back with a new show that pushed “The Tonight Show” back. O'Brien refused to accept the change, resulting in a public feud that led to a multimillion-dollar payout for O'Brien and his team to leave NBC in early 2010. The fallout divided the comedy world, with Leno seen as the antagonist and O'Brien as the victim set up for failure. February 2025 Amazon Prime Originals Streaming Lineup: Exclusive Films and Web Series During his emotional farewell on the last episode of “The Tonight Show,” O'Brien expressed gratitude and refused to harbour resentment. “Every comedian dreams of hosting 'The Tonight Show,' and for seven months I got to do it," he said. "I did it my way with people I love, and I don't regret one second.” He ended with a poignant message for young people: “All I ask is this one thing, particularly of young people that watch: Please do not be cynical. Nobody in life gets exactly what they thought they were going to get, but if you work really hard and you're kind, amazing things will happen.” O'Brien returned later in 2010 with a new talk show on TBS. Despite the channel's smaller profile, the show ran for 11 years, during which O'Brien also launched ventures like the podcast “Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend” and the travel series “Conan Without Borders,” a precursor to his current programme. Other past recipients of the lifetime achievement award include Letterman, Leno, George Carlin, Whoopi Goldberg, Bob Newhart, Carol Burnett, and Dave Chappelle. Bill Cosby, the 2009 honoree, had his Mark Twain Prize revoked in 2019 following multiple sexual assault allegations.