Letterman awarded Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

Washington

DAVID Letterman, the longest-running host of late-night TV in US history, has been chosen to receive the Kennedy Center's Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, the centre said on Tuesday.

Letterman, who hosted 6,028 late-night shows in 33 years on the air, will be awarded the 20th annual prize - named for the 19th century US novelist and satirist - on Oct 22, Washington's Kennedy Center said in a statement.