Bill Maher Accepts Mark Twain Prize with Humor, Gratitude—and a Few Shots at Himself
The comedian accepted one of America's highest honors for humor during a star-studded Kennedy Center gala. The ceremony premieres on Netflix July 21.
WASHINGTON, D.C. – With red-carpet interviews, celebrity tributes and a packed house at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall, it took a couple of hours for the 27th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor to finally land in the hands of career comedian Bill Maher.
When it did, Maher feigned relief, then beamed as he accepted one of comedy’s highest honors during the June 28 gala. The Zebra Press was invited to cover the prestigious event for the first time.
“I’ve been nominated for 41 Emmys,” Maher joked. “You’d think I’d have won once just due to a clerical error! Is it something I said?”
Following decades of political satire—first on Politically Incorrect (Comedy Central and ABC, 1993-2002) and for more than two decades as host of HBO’s Real Time with Bill Maher—Maher was named one of Mediaite’s Most Influential People in Media in 2025. He launched his podcast Club Random with Bill Maher in 2022 and has authored several bestselling books examining American life, politics and culture. In his latest, What This Comedian Said Will Shock You, Maher credits his success in part to his “novel ways of thinking about something.”
“I ask what is true,” he told the Kennedy Center audience. “My fans are a unique group of people who don’t want to be pandered to.”
Maher then launched into what he called a speech consisting mostly of thank-yous, beginning with HBO, which has been his television home for 23 years.
“I’m not going anywhere, and I can’t die!” Maher exclaimed to laughter. “I have a contract, and HBO is really strict about things like that!”
Calling himself “an equal opportunity offender,” Maher reflected on weathering criticism from both the political left and right while thanking the producers, writers and staff “who bring me the most interesting people on the planet.”
He also credited longtime friends who encourage him to continue his self-described “Wizard of Oz ‘Toto’ act” because, he said, “he pulls back the curtain.”
Among previous Mark Twain Prize recipients are Conan O’Brien (2025), Kevin Hart (2024), Jon Stewart (2022), Dave Chappelle (2019), David Letterman (2017), Eddie Murphy (2015), Ellen DeGeneres (2012), Tina Fey (2010), Whoopi Goldberg (2001) and inaugural honoree Richard Pryor (1998). Maher’s lone Emmy Award came in 2014 as executive producer of HBO’s VICE.
The prestigious prize, named for one of America’s greatest writers and humorists, was presented by Jay Leno, the 2014 Mark Twain Prize recipient and a longtime friend of Maher.
Also taking part in the evening were fellow comedians and celebrities including Whitney Cummings, Woody Harrelson, Matt Friend, Louis C.K., Arianna Huffington, John Mellencamp and Stephen A. Smith. Politicians and members of the Kennedy Center Board of Trustees also attended. President Donald J. Trump, who serves as chairman of the board, was not present.
Closing his remarks, Maher recalled one of Mark Twain’s most enduring observations: “If you tell the truth, you don’t have to remember anything.”
The audience responded with a standing ovation.
Watch It: The 27th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor honoring Bill Maher premieres exclusively on Netflix on July 21, giving viewers a chance to see the celebrity tributes, Maher’s acceptance speech and highlights from the evening
