George Carlin to get Mark Twain humor award

updated 6:45 p.m. ET June 17, 2008

WASHINGTON - George Carlin will be awarded the 11th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced Tuesday that Carlin will be honored for his 50-year career as a Grammy-winning standup comedian, writer and actor. The center will salute Carlin at a tribute performance by former colleagues November 10th, which will be broadcast later on PBS.

Kennedy Center Chairman Stephen Schwarzman says Carlin makes people laugh but also makes them think.

Carlin, 71, has released 22 solo albums and three best-selling books. He starred a variety of TV and movie roles and is famous for his “Seven Words You Can Never Say On TV” routine.

Last year the Kennedy Center honored Billy Crystal with the Mark Twain prize. Other past recipients include Whoopi Goldberg, Neil Simon and Steve Martin.

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