Tina Fey Gets Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

She’s the youngest recipient of the honor and only the third woman

Tina Fey will receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in a ceremony Nov. 13 at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

Fey, a seven-time Emmy winner who created, executive produces and stars in NBC’s "30 Rock," is the youngest recipient of the award. The honor “recognizes people who have had an impact on American society in ways similar to the distinguished 19th-century novelist and essayist.”

She’s also only the third woman to win the award, following Lily Tomlin and Whoopi Goldberg. Other recipients include Bill Cosby, Neil Simon, Bob Newhart, Billy Crystal, Steve Martin and, posthumously, George Carlin. The first recipient, in 1998, was Richard Pryor.

Fey got her start with Chicago’s Second City. She spent nine seasons as head writer, cast member and co-anchor of the "Weekend Update" segment on NBC’s "Saturday Night Live." 

Her movie credits include "Mean Girls," "Baby Mama," "Date Night" and the upcoming "Megamind," a DreamWorks Animation film in which she voices a main character.

Fey is working on a humorous memoir for Little, Brown & Co. for publication in 2011.

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