Eddie Murphy Honoured as an American Icon.

Eddie Murphy was honoured on Sunday as an "American icon." stars studed lineup of comedians including Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, George Lopez, Kathy Griffin and Arsenio Hall.

The Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presented the comedian Sunday with the Mark Twain Prize, the nation's top prize for humor.

The evening's most emotional tribute came from "Saturday Night Live" alum Tracy Morgan, who received a standing ovation from the audience. He called Murphy his "comedic hero. At one point, Murphy offered a reminder of his willingness to do politically incorrect humor by offering some jokes about former Mark Twain award winner Bill Cosby— who was one of his "heroes," but has been accused by various women of sexual misconduct.Among the other SNL alumni who paid tribute to Murphy were Jay Pharoah, Kevin Nealon and Joe Piscopo. 

Nealon said Murphy saved SNL from slumping ratings in the 1980s, and he hoped he could also save the Kennedy Center from becoming the Trump Center.
"I can see the slot machines in the lobby," Nealon joked.
Murphy called the prize a "tremendous honour," but asked the center to clear up any confusion over the prize for future recipients. 

And after refusing to portray Cosby (who won the award himself in 2009) on Saturday Night Live over the weekend, Murphy joked about the controversial comic on the stage in his first stand-up set in 28 years, saying, you know you’ve messed up “when theywant you to give your trophy back.” He then impersonated Cosby refusing to return his award.Other winners have included Carol Burnett, Tina Fey, Whoopi Goldberg, Ellen DeGeneres and Richard Pryor.