Eddie Murphy to Receive Inaugural 'Comedy Icon Award' at The First Annual 'The Comedy Awards'

NEW YORK, March 21, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- "The Comedy Awards," the first-ever multi-network, multi-platform, annual event dedicated to honoring and celebrating the world of comedy, has announced that, Eddie Murphy will be honored as the recipient of the inaugural "Comedy Icon Award."  This distinguished award will be presented annually to a modern icon, an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to comedy and whose impact and innovations have changed the landscape and inspired future generations of entertainers.  Murphy will be honored for his work in stand-up, sketch, film and television, among other numerous pioneering achievements.

"Eddie Murphy's impact in the world of comedy is immeasurable," said Casey Patterson, executive producer and executive vice president, event production, MTV Networks Entertainment Group.  "From the characters he created on 'SNL,' to his groundbreaking stand-up performances and unforgettable film roles, Murphy changed the game forever and we're honored that he will be joining us for the first-ever Comedy Awards."

"The Comedy Awards" has also confirmed that presenters and attendees include comedy stars, Tina Fey, Jon Stewart, Jimmy Fallon, Tracy Morgan, Matt Stone, Trey Parker, Ty Burrell, Louis C.K., Stephen Colbert, Rob Corddry, Bill Hader, Chloe Moretz, Craig Robinson, Andy Samberg and Kristen Wiig, with further talent announcements forthcoming.  

Grammy Award-winning artist, The Roots, will entertain the audience throughout the event as "The Comedy Awards" house band.  The inaugural event will also feature Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer of "The Lonely Island," performing "I Just Had Sex" featuring Akon for the first time live.

The "Comedy Icon Award" along with the previously announced "Johnny Carson Award For Comedic Excellence" will be presented during the taping of the first annual event at New York City's Hammerstein Ballroom on Saturday, March 26 and will premiere on Sunday, April 10, 2011, simultaneously across MTV Networks' COMEDY CENTRAL, Spike TV, TV Land, VH1 and Nick At Nite.

Eddie Murphy's comic talent was evident from an early age.  By 15 he was writing and performing his own routines at youth centers, local bars, and his high school auditorium.  Eventually, Murphy made it to a Manhattan showcase, The Comic Strip.  In 1980, at the age of 19, Murphy joined the cast of "Saturday Night Live," where he quickly became a featured player.  By the end of his first season, he had moved up to star status.  Murphy went on to have a successful stand-up and film career that has spanned 30 years and includes box-office hits such as  "48 Hrs.," "Delirious," "Beverly Hills Cop," "Raw," "Trading Places," "Coming to America," "The Nutty Professor" and "Shrek" franchises, and the critically acclaimed "Dreamgirls," for which he received the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Drama and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.

A full list of previously announced nominees for "The Comedy Awards" and more information about the show and its prestigious Board of Directors can be found at www.thecomedyawards.com.

COMEDY CENTRAL, the only all-comedy network, currently is seen in more than 95 million homes nationwide.  COMEDY CENTRAL is owned by, and is a registered trademark of, Comedy Partners, a wholly-owned division of Viacom Inc.'s (NYSE: VIA and VIA.B) MTV Networks.  COMEDY CENTRAL's Internet address is www.comedycentral.com.  For up-to-the-minute and archival press information and photographs visit Press Central, COMEDY CENTRAL's press Web site at www.comedycentral.com/press.

SOURCE COMEDY CENTRAL Corporate Communications