# Who is the best Mark Twain Prize for American Humor winner?

> America's top comedy honor has gone to stand-ups, sketch legends and sitcom stars since 1998. Pick the one whose laughs aged best.

*By YPB Team · Published September 25, 2026 · https://youpick.best/ranking/who-is-the-best-mark-twain-prize-for-american-humor-winner*

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## Current results (no votes yet)

1. **Richard Pryor**
   First winner of the Mark Twain Prize in 1998 and the most influential stand-up of his era.
2. **Jonathan Winters**
   Improv pioneer and 1999 Mark Twain Prize honoree.
3. **Carl Reiner**
   Creator of The Dick Van Dyke Show and 2000 honoree.
4. **Whoopi Goldberg**
   EGOT winner and 2001 Mark Twain Prize recipient.
5. **Bob Newhart**
   Deadpan telephone-routine master and 2002 honoree.
6. **Lily Tomlin**
   Character comedian from Laugh-In and 2003 honoree.
7. **Steve Martin**
   Stand-up turned film star, honored in 2005.
8. **Billy Crystal**
   Nine-time Oscars host and 2007 honoree.
9. **George Carlin**
   Stand-up philosopher named the 2008 honoree and awarded the prize posthumously.
10. **Tina Fey**
   30 Rock creator and the youngest honoree when she won in 2010.
11. **Will Ferrell**
   SNL alum and star of Anchorman and Elf, honored in 2011.
12. **Carol Burnett**
   Variety show legend honored in 2013.
13. **Jay Leno**
   Tonight Show host and 2014 Mark Twain Prize honoree.
14. **Eddie Murphy**
   SNL breakout and Beverly Hills Cop star, honored in 2015.
15. **Bill Murray**
   Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day star, honored in 2016.
16. **David Letterman**
   Late-night host who received the Mark Twain Prize in 2017.
17. **Dave Chappelle**
   Stand-up and Chappelle's Show creator, honored in 2019.
18. **Julia Louis-Dreyfus**
   Seinfeld and Veep star honored in 2018.
19. **Jon Stewart**
   Former Daily Show host honored in 2022.
20. **Adam Sandler**
   SNL alum and comedy film star honored in 2023.
21. **Conan O'Brien**
   Late-night host honored in 2025.

Tags: usa, celebrities, comedy, awards