Julia Louis-Dreyfus To Receive 2018 Mark Twain Prize For American Humor

Julia Louis-Dreyfus is about to be given a prestigious honor.

On Wednesday, May 23, 2018, it was announced that the Veep star will be this year's recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor from the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts. According to the prize's website, the award honors those who have had "an impact on American society in ways similar to the distinguished 19th century novelist and essayist best known as Mark Twain."

"Like Mark Twain, Julia has enriched American culture with her iconic, unforgettable and outright hilarious brand of humor," Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter said in a statement (via The New York Times). "Over four decades, her wildly original characters and her gift for physical comedy have left us in stitches. Julia is a role model for so many, and we look forward to honoring her."

Meanwhile, Louis-Dreyfus, who will be the sixth woman to receive the coveted comedy award, stated, "Merely to join the list of distinguished recipients of this award would be honor enough, but, as a student of both American history and literature, the fact that Mr. Twain himself will be presenting the award to me in person is particularly gratifying."

Dreyfuss, who will return to work on Veep's final season in August following her breast cancer battle, also took to Twitter to react to the news, writing, "Well, this is insanely exciting."

For her collective work on Seinfeld, The New Adventures of Old Christine, and Veep, the 57-year-old actress has won 11 Emmy Awards, and also holds a record nine SAG Award wins.

The Mark Twain Prize's 21st annual gala will be held on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018 at the Kennedy Center Concert Hall in Washington, D.C. Past recipients include the likes of Tina Fey, Ellen DeGeneres, Carol Burnett, David Letterman, Eddie Murphy, and Bill Murray.

Congratulations, Julia!