Dave Chappelle has won comedy's arguably most coveted prize.
The comedian was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for Comedy, becoming the 22nd recipiend of the prize.
Dave Chappelle is a former television show host, currently plying his trade as a stand-up comedian.
Speaking as he received the award, Mr Chappelle said that stand-up comedy helped save his life.
""I love my art form because I understand every practitioner of it, whether I agree with them or not I know where they're coming from. They want to be heard, they got something to say, there's something they notice. They just want to be understood," Chappelle said. "I love this genre, it saved my life, " he added as he received the coveted prize.
A number of entertainers from Trevor Noah to John Stewart offered their congratulatory messages to Chappelle.
"He's not just a comedian, that's the way that he channels that knowledge and that process. What he is, is he's the black Bourdain, " John Stewart said of Chapelle, referring to renowned chef Anthony Bourdain, who died last year, allegedly after commiting suicide.
Eddie Murphy also paid his tribute, describing Chappelle as a particularly smart comedian.
"Dave is one of the most, maybe the most, intellectual comedian ever," Eddie Murphy said.
In his acceptance speech, the stand-up comedian expressed gratitude to his family for their support.
“The thing I like the best of tonight, I saw so many people from different parts of my life,” he said. “You guys have no idea how you inspire me, " Dave Chappelle said.