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Posted: Thu., Aug. 20, 2009, 8:02am PT

Cosby to receive Mark Twain Prize

Jerry Seinfeld to deliver top humor award

Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock and Phylicia Rashad are among the celebs set to salute comedian Bill Cosby when he receives the Kennedy Center’s Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Oct. 26.

Entertainers on deck also include Danny Glover, George Lopez, Wynton Marsalis, Rita Moreno, Willie Nelson, Carl Reiner, Sinbad, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, Len Chandler, James DePreist, Dick Gregory and Jimmy Heath.

Diversity of the lineup suggests an irreverent and musically punctuated retrospective of Cosby’s lengthy career is in the works for the KenCen event. Cosby was tapped in April to be the 12th recipient of the center’s annual humor award. Previous comics to nab the prize include Reiner, Richard Pryor, Whoopi Goldberg, Bob Newhart, Lily Tomlin, Lorne Michaels, Steve Martin, Neil Simon, Billy Crystal and George Carlin.

Exec produced by Bob Kaminsky, Peter Kaminsky, Mark Krantz and Cappy McGarr, the event -- to air Nov. 4 on PBS -- supports the Kennedy Center’s far-flung educational programs.

Contact the Variety newsroom at news@variety.com

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