Bill Cosby Receives Mark Twain Prize

Bill Cosby was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Monday, reported CNN.

Curiously, this had not been the first time Cosby had won the award. In the past he had been offered the Mark Twain Prize twice and both times he rejected it.

Cosby refused to accept the award due to what he said was poor language used in the 1998 ceremony honoring comedian Richard Pryor. Cosby is mostly known for refusing to use foul language as part of his comedy and his role in The Cosby Show.

After the John F. Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, where the ceremony was held, promised to never repeat the 1998 event Cosby accepted the award. Honoring him were The Cosby Show co-stars Phylicia Rashad and Malcolm-Jamal Warner, comedians Chris Rock and Jerry Seinfeld, and country singer Willie Nelson.

The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is awarded to comedians who influence American society and culture. Past recipients include Whoopi Goldberg, George Carlin and Steve Martin.