Will Ferrell Acceptance Speech | 2011 Mark Twain Prize

The Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor recognizes people who have had an impact on American society in ways similar to the distinguished 19th century novelist and essayist best known as Mark Twain. As a social commentator, satirist and creator of memorable characters, Samuel Clemens was a fearless observer of society, who startled and outraged many while delighting and informing many more with his uncompromising perspective of social injustice and personal folly. He revealed the great truth of humor when he said "against the assault of laughter nothing can stand."
For more information on the Mark Twain Prize, please visit: www.kennedy-center.org/pages/...
The inaugural Mark Twain Prize was presented to Richard Pryor during the first annual Kennedy Center Celebration of American Humor, October 20, 1998. The event was created by the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Bob Kaminsky, Peter Kaminsky, Mark Krantz, and John Schreiber and is televised annually. The Kennedy Center is grateful to Cappy McGarr for his steadfast support of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor since its inception. Previous recipients of the Mark Twain include Richard Pryor (1998), Jonathan Winters (1999), Carl Reiner (2000), Whoopi Goldberg (2001), Bob Newhart (2002), Lily Tomlin (2003), Lorne Michaels (2004), Steve Martin (2005), Neil Simon (2006), Billy Crystal (2007), George Carlin (2008), Bill Cosby (2009, rescinded in 2018) Tina Fey (2010), Will Ferrell (2011), Ellen DeGeneres (2012), Carol Burnett (2013) Jay Leno (2014), Eddie Murphy (2015), Bill Murray (2016), David Letterman (2017), Julia Louis-Dreyfus (2018), and Dave Chappelle (2019).
Subscribe to The Kennedy Center! bit.ly/2gNFrtb
#TwainPrize #PBSTwain #DigitalStage

[@naushad5139]

I can imagine him getting the idea to drop the award and just cracking up at the thought of actually doing it.

[@gab5754]

he talked about it in conan's podcast

[@misaelzahir75]

@Hendrix Quinton definitely, I've been using instaflixxer for since december myself :D

[@mikeobrien6704]

It's not the actual award.The gag was scripted and set up for laughs.

[@ToRFlow]

@@mikeobrien6704 thanks captain obvious

[@user-gk3uo5ev7n]

its brilliant using comedy trophy for a comedian effect lol

[@djxpvnd]

"If my children touch it or even look at it, I will beat them" 😂

[@chr1staki]

There goes his chance at presenting the Oscars

[@arloc357]

@@chr1staki at least the Oscar’s this year were still pretty interesting

[@kawaiiafangirl]

I feel like one of the most unsung qualities of Will's comedic talents is that he rarely breaks character.

[@randomax909]

I feel like that's literally his most sung quality.

[@m1l1t1am1ke]

@@randomax909 lmao thank you for saying it

[@chasam1]

He's a character

[@Jimberley]

What about his most hung quality? 🍆

[@joesephkroll2056]

He's also a good singer. Lol

[@erriqueyoung]

" Sometimes you get a little lippy" That was an absolute classic

[@DaveRCollins1]

Came back just to watch it

[@Churcharo]

Favorite line, think of it often ❤🤣

[@scuffd3542]

She is an auctioneer. It was also an inside joke with them.

[@JeffLange1]

8:06 if anyone is looking to jump straight there, hilarious!

[@joeljara9878]

@@scuffd3542 nn

[@ChadMichaelSimon]

There are those moments that you continually return to. I don’t know how many times I’ve watched this, but he surprises and delights every time because of his amazing delivery as a true master.

[@Axeonfluke]

Same, it's just comfortable comedy. Mark Twain would dig it.

[@larhondah.2793]

Truly I even sent this to my sister to cheer her up ❤️

[@analiaramirez2934]

Over 800 times at least

[@zerokiryu6330]

Same. I've watched it randomly many times since it was new. It's smiles delivered. ❤️

[@Tonyhouse1168]

60% of the time I come back to watch this every time!!

[@rickyls2]

This guy stays in character!

[@djoetma]

The whole thing was a bit.

[@love-hammer]

, shouted Viveca at her therapist.

[@alessandroscuderi7300]

Its seriously a rarity to ever find him out of character. Just watch his late night appearances.

[@aussie1461]

I think it was on purpose

[@WesleyNiman]

I think it's just the way he is

[@ryanellis4474]

His wife seems like a jewel

[@ggmann13]

That is racist as hell!!! Edit: Ohhhh you said jewEL

[@Midwesterngrown]

She is a dream. He is very very lucky

[@PerniciousPecker]

I love how commited Vivica is, she's a real trooper!

[@laurencewhite4809]

Only a comedic genius like Will Ferrell can turn into a screaming wife abuser on stage and get a tsunami of laughter and applause in response.

[@monsanto.official]

sorry some of enjoy relating to our hero’s. sorry “laurence”

[@elpretentio]

get a life

[@RichardsWorld]

When he was joking about his wife I totally lost it. I can't remember the last time I laughed so hard that I had tears come out.

[@1lollmaolol1]

It was four weeks ago.

[@kashifilyas1340]

My favorite part too. Absolutely hilarious!

[@mr.writer4389]

Seriously! And she’s such a great sport about it too! ❤️🙈

[@iamironclaw]

@@mr.writer4389 Until they get home

[@alsuzy1345]

I have watched this at least a dozen times. You can tell Will and Vivica have something very special. What a great sport she is going along with his jokes and comedy. Will is in a class all by himself when he broke the bust. Not even Vivica knew what was going to happen.

[@bernlin2000]

They've handed out this prize 11 times since then, and nobody has come even close to making such an unforgettable speech. Will is the top of the heap in the comedy world!

[@mozzbagels1274]

Dave Chappelle..

[@lyrazim]

Julia Louis-Dreyfus did!

[@bernlin2000]

@@lyrazim Julia was great, too, they took way too long to give it to her though!!!

[@photo_paper784]

Dave Chappelle was stellar as well

[@renattozerga]

u like dat shit? problem with will is that , like this time he tries too hard, it doesnt feel natural, thats comedy for a club not an award , u have to learn that bro

[@appsaurus]

He literally thanked everyone, told us a lil about how he started in comedy, all in character and while been hilarious. This is why he’s brilliant.

[@zohriathmar856]

this is still my favourite mark twain acceptance speech

[@Jackforever11]

Will Ferrell is my top comedian of all time. Cracks me up still after all these years.

[@johnbailey2024]

This is absolutely brilliant, when he goes off on his wife, amazing comedic timing, he let it build up to that, classic, if that stuff didn't make you laugh real hard, nothing will....

[@captainzappbrannagan]

Comedy is and artform 100%. I love will. He's given so much laughter to me and my family. What's more needed than laughter right now (and always)?

[@brodemonz]

How do you top that? The ending with his wife, pure gold.👏👏

[@alwaysblessed5243]

He is so damn silly! I have tears in my eyes!😂😂😂

[@standardbrah]

@Fighting Thumbs bruh you're weird

[@iamgoingtodeckyoutwo5966]

The 11th Caucasian is the perfect joke and satirical slam.

[@1101grayzer]

Literally every thing he says, you’re wondering „does he really mean the opposite?“ and „what’s coming next?“. Genius.

[@cadenceenglish]

The world is too small a stage for Will ferrel. what a human being.

[@MrLittletube]

The guy deserves the award just for this speech

[@TheFinalStanza94]

im not done im not... i just started the speech why would you think im done

[@nathanpitek3177]

Probably the best straight faced comedian of all time

[@everthpalomequejr]

Legendary! To be rewatched for decades for come!

[@user-nw5wd8lt1o]

When the Music come on and get him off the stage. Was hilarious 😂

[@bishop1735]

Truly the best acceptance speech in history!

[@fittyrightonpoint6466]

Will is a comedic genius I love his gracious wife

[@Mr.PepeSilvia]

Most problems can be solved by people not taking themselves too seriously.

[@msizi-innocentmanqele4899]

True

[@sevenwilliams3485]

" DO YOU HEAR ME?" LOL. HIS POOR WIFE... HILARIOUS

[@moralester]

"But first I want to thank my first and second wives" lmaooo

[@gangstarr2013]

Man..this speech is genius.

[@doogalloonni]

Epic.... Absolutely epic!

[@edub9930]

One of the funniest guys, Ever! Well deserved Will! 👏

[@T.C.216]

Always have loved his humor! Vivica gets his personality and roles with it! lol!! She is a gem to have to deal with that!

[@gravypatron]

How does he ALWAYS keep a straight face?

[@cspartacus716]

The best MTP acceptance speech by far... can't stop watching it!

[@smikeDe]

Steve Martin’ s spech is awesome 2!

[@timharris5393]

GENIUS

[@chefian1980]

i really love his "DO YOU HEAR ME!!!???"

[@Benyan1763]

BRILLIANT!

[@karinak09]

I rewatch this every year 😂😂

[@AlexanderYbarias]

This is a masterpiece

[@noirjacques3274]

I love how Will’s wife ‘plays along’ with the angst (yes I know sarcasm) he throws at her!

[@johnbailey2024]

I've watched the other guys many times, its the funniest movie ever, the meet the wife scene, and the electric razor and mannequin hand taped to a golf club, unbelievable

[@user-dq5sq8rg7y]

Nailed it👌🏻

[@mikehoncho5517]

hes so good!!!!

[@robduke2982]

This why I love Will Farrell just a genius

[@ViperXXXXXXX]

Had to re-watch about 50 times to see all the reactions in the crowd, especially the front row. These people clearly didn't know about the gag right away.

[@JenManning371]

He’s the king of comedy acting

[@brianwagar4512]

Incredible

[@janedawson1398]

Best acceptance speech ever.

[@DoopDaloop]

There should be a candle for it...that actually makes it work.

[@bpigleason]

One of the masters.

[@chipblock2854]

He has a very pretty wife. O loved how she played along so well. Plot twist. His wife gets up and walks out the box.

[@sherrellelawrence408]

Very cool!

[@blacksympozium]

This is PURE GOLD TELEVISION

[@shmookins]

He makes the best characters in movies.

[@infinite8382]

yeah, like Holmes & Watson :/ This guy is generally not funny.

[@shmookins]

@@infinite8382 That movie could have been better with their American accents. Robinhood once had an American accent.

[@michaeljacksin9367]

that's love right there what a beautiful Hollywood relationship

[@cadenceenglish]

Viveca is so graceful

[@Dachdogoriginal]

For everyone doing the math, that's $100,000 a year. Haha

[@boRegah]

I did the math immediately after he said it and then I thought about how much money a _single_ billion is for ten minutes, before continuing the Video. I find it's a lot.

[@horde4909]

Some good hearty chucks

[@Carlos_500]

Best acceptance speech ever

[@Dee010s]

still one of the funniest bits on the internet

[@wayne5508]

60% of the time Wills funny everytime..

[@adidevaneumiller436]

Hey Wayne, more people should have liked this comment. It's gold. I want you to know that.

[@wayne5508]

@@adidevaneumiller436 Thanks👍😂

[@kellyfoster7054]

For clarification i didnt

[@Mrafif23]

That doesn't even make sense

[@johnd3124]

its made with real bits of panther

[@40megafonzies]

Samuel Langhorm Chimmins😂

[@MetrognomeVideos]

Mark Twain's real name was Samuel Langhorne Clemens.

[@ghostshipone]

Chimmins just makes it so funny. His names are classic

[@robertcantu2026]

The way the band just immediately stops playing 🤣🤣🤣 I don't know why that cracked me up so much

[@RCRitterFPV]

Who else just came from Conan ?

[@jesiahwetherald]

Me😂

[@jamesqudus8688]

Which episode? Podcast?

[@shankarbalakrishnan2360]

What genre of joke do u follow never get bored❤❤😂😂🎉🎉

[@caseyb1316]

That was such a stacked performance in 10 mins

[@AkshaySinghJamwal]

What makes this great is that even his wife wasn't in on the gag.

[@MagisterVeritas]

Sean Connery watching this: invite this man over for dinner!

[@tmtmtmtm452]

Baywatch Berlin 🎉 Danke Jakob Lundt für die Erinnerung ❤

[@teshiamiller3196]

I'm from Elmira NY. Actual hometown of Mark Twain "Samuel Clemens ". Beautiful home. Not sure where Jarvis came from but ok

[@michaelschlesinger6966]

Being watched by hundreds of people. 😂😂😂😂 classic

[@ZeusFeni]

He is soo good. 😂

[@mindful_minipods]

The list of this is everywhere lol oh bill... You lost yours? Dam..

[@gizmo6746]

You know what they say "Behind every great man is a lippy woman".

[@roelwieers4566]

Not a huge fan of Will Ferrell , but this is effing brilliant

[@matthewmorse3307]

Roel Wieers if you think this is “effing brilliant”. I’m not sure how you aren’t a fan or Will Ferrell... this is how he is in pretty much every movie, interview, roast, etc. he has ever been part of....

[@standardbrah]

yeah this is pretty classic ferrell...not that funny either in my opinion...

[@roelwieers4566]

@@matthewmorse3307 This is witty. Usually his humour is non verbal.

[@Mr.PepeSilvia]

Love Will Ferrel personally, but I hear you. It seems like everyone I know either loves him or hates his style, with little to no wiggle room. Same goes for it's always sunny in Philadelphia for some reason.

[@I-do-not-read-replies]

Roel Wieers the other guys.

[@donogoodatgames]

Absolutely incredible speech by a comedic legend. What a guy 👍🏻. He has been in too many classics to name here, but I remember watching his SNL: Best of DVD's at least once a month back in the day 👍🏻 Also, is it just me or does the guy at 3:09 have either an absolutely treacherous wig on, or did he take a trip to Turkey and when they asked him what he wanted his new hairline to look like, he told them to make him look like hes got an extra small swimming cap on 😂. Either that or he went to the barber and when they asked him what he wanted them to do, he said can you give me the "I'm fu***d up" special 😂

[@retsub3]

You know they're one of the greats when you're already cracking up at the thumbnail anticipating what they're gonna say

[@scotonfire1]

Mark Twain would have a good chuckle.

[@DragoonRyRs]

this guy is comedy. truely the best actor of all time...

[@TheFinancialAdvocacyPodcast]

Only a true insurance geek thinks about "Business overhead expense disability insurance"!

[@lazaromurad322]

don't mind me im back again for my daily dose of laugh

[@Axeonfluke]

Qwenn Eiffel died tragically 5 years later scaling the Washington Monument.

[@streetographer]

Not watched by hundreds of people no more. Now thousands of people! 11,359 to be exact.

[@RearAdmiralTootToot]

48,356 as of Jan 9 2020. Dave Chapelle's really blew these things up.

[@kathleenrasing6818]

Conan O'Brien Needs a Friend anyone? hahahah went looking for this after Conan mentioned it on his podcast w/ guest Luke Wilson 🤣🤣🤣

[@JW-bh2ud]

Me too, lol!

[@kathleenrasing6818]

@@JW-bh2ud but i really wanna see what he did to his son at the jumbotron rofl

[@JW-bh2ud]

@@kathleenrasing6818 me too! If you ever find it, post it here :)

[@vmundoortiz6105]

Always funny Will Ferrell

[@gardenlover9663]

I remember reading a comment recently. I was watching a video which showed Will's many visits to some talk show. The commenter wrote that Will was always in character - never came out as himself. I hope he didn't watch this. It would send him over the edge.

[@johnfuller183]

Will's wife has the best sense of humor.

[@simismael3302]

One thing and one thing only" That sounded super familiar real fast

[@chadparks7553]

Comedic genius

[@MrWils25]

His wife knew she was about to get roasted.

[@johnwright3815]

His face...kills me.

[@teshiamiller3196]

I wish I found a MAN with humor 😅. I'm glad they got Will. His family is so lucky 😂.

[@chilljay126]

I saw this live In 2011 I was so young 😅

[@joshuastinson4642]

Comedy gold

[@Sparty1966grad]

Viveca. Wow, he scored.

[@echoesofdarknesss]

9:15 Gator was ready to come out. Gator don't play no shit!