Direct answer: Eddie Murphy received the Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2015.
Context and latest news notes:
- The Mark Twain Prize is Kennedy Center’s top honor for American humor, with Eddie Murphy announced as the 2015 recipient and a tribute gala held at the Kennedy Center.[1]
- Murphy’s acceptance speech and the televised event highlighted his impact on comedy and film, and included remarks about other comedians and cultural topics of the era.[3][8]
- PBS and CBS coverage at the time documented the ceremony and Murphy’s jokes during the acceptance, helping to publicize the prize’s significance in American culture.[8][9]
If you’d like, I can pull the most recent references or summarize a specific year’s tribute (e.g., notable speakers, performances, or charity components) and provide sources.
Sources
Watch Eddie Murphy accept The 2015 Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize.
www.pbssocal.orgSurrounded by an all-star cast of comedians at the Kennedy Center, Eddie Murphy was presented with the 2015 Mark Twain Prize which honors one of the world's greatest humorists each year.
www.revamp.comEddie Murphy will be awarded the nation's top prize for humor this year by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts.
foxbaltimore.comMurphy will receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor this fall
www.cbsnews.comThe comedian made a crack about Bill Cosby while accepting the Mark Twain Prize, the nation's top prize for humor
www.cbsnews.comWatch Eddie Murphy joke as he accepts The 2015 Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize.
www.pbssocal.orgMurphy was being awarded the 18th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
dcist.comOn Sunday, Oct. 18, Dave Chappelle, Kathy Griffin, Arsenio Hall, Brittany Howard, George Lopez, Sam Moore, Tracy Morgan, Joe Piscopo, Chris Rock and other guests joined Eddie Murphy, honoring him as the recipient of the 18th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
www.washingtoninformer.comThe Mark Twain Prize for American Humor went to comedian Eddie Murphy this year. Monday night, PBS will air Murphy's first jokes for an audience in 28 years, delivered during his acceptance speech.
www.wfae.org