This year, Conan O’Brien will be honored with the prestigious Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, adding to his accolades as a late-night comedy icon.

The Kennedy Center will host the award ceremony on March 23, where O’Brien will be celebrated alongside past honorees such as Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Jon Stewart, and Carl Reiner. Viewers will be able to watch the event on Netflix, though the specific airing date has not yet been announced. Netflix has been the exclusive broadcaster of the ceremony since 2024.

In a lighthearted remark in a statement from the Kennedy Center, O’Brien joked, “I am honored to be the first winner of the Mark Twain Prize recognized not for humor, but for my work as a riverboat pilot.” The prize commemorates author Mark Twain, whose pen name was inspired by a river navigation term, and whose celebrated works, including “Adventures of Huckleberry Finn,” often centered on life along the Mississippi River.

Deborah F. Rutter, president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, expressed her admiration for O’Brien, stating, “For four decades, Conan O’Brien has brought his unique mix of intelligence, silliness, insight, and humor into our homes.”

She elaborated, “From ‘Saturday Night Live’ and ‘The Simpsons’—notably the hilariously memorable monorail episode—to late-night shows, podcasts, and all things Team Coco, Conan is a true innovator, continually exploring new comedic terrains.” Rutter expressed excitement about celebrating O’Brien’s profound legacy at the Concert Hall on March 23.

With this honor, O’Brien joins a distinguished group of comedians. Richard Pryor was the first recipient of the award, while Kevin Hart was the most recent. The ceremony is anticipated to feature tributes from some of comedy’s biggest talents.

This recognition is part of a remarkable year for O’Brien, who is also slated to host the Oscars on March 2. Taking on this high-profile role, he follows Nikki Glaser, whose Golden Globes hosting stint received widespread praise.

O’Brien’s hosting of the Oscars will mark his most significant television appearance since he ended his TBS show “Conan” in 2021. Since then, he has remained active, continuing to host the podcast “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” and launching a travel series called “Conan O’Brien Must Go” on Max in April.

Contributing: Brendan Morrow