Washington (AP) George Carlin will be awarded the Mark Twain
Prize for American humor.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts said Tuesday that Carlin will be honored for his 50-year career as a Grammy-winning standup comedian, writer and actor. He will be the 11th recipient of the award.

It will be presented November 10th at a tribute performance that will be televised by PBS.

Kennedy center chairman Stephen Scharzman says Carlin makes people laugh but also makes them think.

Carlin has released 22 solo albums and three best-selling books. He starred in a variety of tv and movie roles and is famous for his “seven dirty words” routine.

Past recipients of the prize include Billy Crystal, Whoopi Goldberg, Steve Martin and Neil Simon.