Eddie Murphy to be honoured with 2015 Mark Twain Prize

Actor-comedian Eddie Murphy will be awarded with the 2015 Mark Twain Prize for American comedy.
Officials confirmed that the 54-year-old "Dr Dolittle" actor would receive the top prize for performing arts by John F Kennedy Center this year on October 18. The bestowal ceremony will be broadcast nationally, reported Ace Showbiz.
The prize is given to those who influence society in the way Samuel Clemens, better known as Mark Twain, influenced people through his writing, comments and satires.
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"Through his appearances on 'Saturday Night Live', groundbreaking stand-up comedy, and work as a movie star, Eddie Murphy has shown that like Mark Twain, he was years ahead of his time," said Kennedy Center chief Deborah F Rutter.
Following the announcement, the star of "Beverly Hills Cop" said in a written statement, "I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from the Kennedy Center and to join the distinguished list of past recipients of this award."
Murphy joins previous honorees of Mark Twain prize that include Jay Leno, Carol Burnett, Tina Fey, Whoopi Goldberg and Bill Cosby.
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WATCH: Eddie Murphy's Stand Up Comedy Routine (FULL), First Appearance on Johnny Carson Show