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Ellen DeGeneres: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize features the presentation of a coveted humor award, with a star-studded cast paying tribute to Ellen DeGeneres, whose distinctive comic voice has resonated with audiences from her first stand-up comedy appearances through her work today on television, in film and in the literary world.

The televised ceremony airs Tuesday, October 30 at 7:00 p.m. on KUED

DeGeneres has made a home for herself in the daytime arena with her hit syndicated talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show. The show entered its ninth season in September, fresh off winning the Daytime Emmy for "Outstanding Talk Show." During its eight seasons, the show has earned a total of 35 Daytime Emmy Awards.

The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize for American Humor – considered the nation’s highest honor for humor – was created in 1998 to recognize the art of humorists who have had an impact on American society in ways similar to the distinguished 19th century novelist and essayist best known as Mark Twain. As a social commentator, satirist and creator of characters, Samuel Clemens (alias Mark Twain) was a fearless observer of society, who startled, delighted and informed with his uncompromising perspective of social injustice and personal folly. He revealed the great truth of humor when he said, "Against the assault of laughter nothing can stand."

Ellen DeGeneres will be presented with a copy of an 1884 bronze portrait bust of Mark Twain, sculpted by Karl Gerhardt (1853-1940). The bust and its images are courtesy of the Mark Twain House, Hartford, Connecticut.

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