VIDEO : Eddie Murphy is Awarded With the Mark Twain Prize Prize

Every year, an American comedian receives a serious award -- and not just for being very funny. On Sunday, this year's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor went to Eddie Murphy. "The Mark Twain Prize recognizes people who have had an impact on American society in ways similar to the distinguished 19th century novelist and essayist best known as Mark Twain," said the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in its description of the prize. "I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from the Kennedy Center and to join the distinguished list of past recipients of this award," Murphy said according to a statement from the Kennedy Center.