Steve Martin is to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humour later
this year.
The prize is given annually and is considered one of America's top comedy
awards. The recipient is decided by the John F Kennedy Center for Performing
Arts.
The spokesman said "His creations, be they on stage, on film or in a book,
have created a collective memory of humour and joy for all Americans".
Previous recipients include Whoopi Goldberg, Lily Tomlin and Richard
Pryor.
It should also be noted that this is good publicity for Martin, as he shortly
to appear in a prequel to the Pink Panther films playing Inspector Closeau. The
original Closeau was, of course, Peter Sellers.
