Honour for sketch show creator

The creator of legendary sketch show Saturday Night Live has won one of America’s top comedy prizes.

Writer Lorne Michaels has been named as the recipient of this year’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, which he will pick up in October.

His show, which celebrates its 30 anniversary next year, has provided a vital springboard for the talents of many of America’s top comics.

Dan Ackroyd, John Belushi, Bill Murray, Eddie Murphy, Adam Sandler, Chris Rock and Mike Myers have all graduated from its ranks.

Canadian-born Michaels, 59, also produced spin-off movies from the show, including Wayne’s World, and has won ten Emmys for his TV work.

Michael Kaiser, president of the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts which hands out the prize, said: "His creation, which has become an American icon, along with his work on film and on Broadway, has provided this nation with some of its greatest comedians.”

The previous winners of the Mark Twain prize, now in its seventh year, are Richard Pryor, Jonathan Winters, Carl Reiner, Whoopi Goldberg, Bob Newhart and Tomlin.

Published: 16 Jun 2004