Kristin Chenoweth, Sean Hayes to Honor Mark Twain Prize Recipient Ellen DeGeneres

The New York Times artsbeatblog reports that Kristen Chenoweth and Sean Hayes will be among the roster of celebrities who will join talk show host Ellen Degeneres when she receives the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on October  22. 

In addition to Chenoweth and Hayes, the list of entertainers at the gala event will also include fellow comedians and talk-show hosts StEve Harvey, Jimmy Kimmel, John Krasinski, the musician Jason Mraz; and Lily Tomlin, who herself won the Mark Twain Prize in 2003.

Will Ferrell, Tina Fey, Bill Cosby and George Carlin are among the previous winners of the distinquished award. The prize honors Mark Twain's tradition of satire and social commentary.

DeGeneres began her career as a Comedy Club emcee and became the first female comedian to be called to the sofa to chat with late-night host Johnny Carson. She went on to star in her own TV sitcom and voice the character of 'Nemo' in Disney's 'Finding Nemo.'

The ceremony will be taped and broadcast by PBS on October 30.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / Retna Ltd.

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