Tina Fey: Mark Twain Prize Winner and 'Fearless Observer of Society'

In the midst of a news cycle dominated by serious and sobering issues including catastrophic oil rig explosions, continuing economic woes and an ongoing immigration debate, a morsel of good news is still to be found: It was announced this week that Tina Fey, of "Saturday Night Live" and "30 Rock" fame, won the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor -- one of the most prestigious humor awards in the country.

When Fey is presented the award during a show at the Kennedy Center this November, she will be joining a small club of honorees. Only 12 other comedians have won the award, and of those, only two are women: Lily Tomlin and Whoopi Goldberg. And, at 40 years old, she'll be the youngest person to have received the award.

There's no doubt Fey's more than earned it. Her career seemed to go into overdrive when, during the 2008 presidential election, her Sarah Palin impression on "Saturday Night Live" skits struck the comedic nerve of the country. (She even won an Emmy for the portrayal in 2009). Click play below to watch Fey discussing the impression with David Letterman:


Fey has also been playing the lead role of Liz Lemon on NBC's hilarious and critically acclaimed comedy series, "30 Rock," (a show she created) since 2006; she's earned numerous accolades for both her acting and writing on the show.

Fey got her start at Chicago's sketch comedy venue, Second City, where she caught the attention of "Saturday Night Live" creator and producer Lorne Michaels. She was hired on to write sketches and was promoted to head writer in 1999 -- the first woman to hold the position. At the time of a 2003 "New Yorker" profile of Fey, of the 20 full-time writers on "Saturday Night Live," only three -- including Fey -- were women. She eventually became a cast member and remained on the show until 2006.

Upon winning the Mark Twain award, Fey released a statement that stayed true to her funny self: "I am truly thrilled to receive this honor," she said. "I assume Betty White was disqualified for steroid use."

The Kennedy Center established the tradition of the prize in 1998, with an aim to celebrate "people who have had an impact on American society in ways similar to the distinguished 19th century novelist and essayist best known as Mark Twain." The award's description continues: "As a social commentator, satirist and creator of characters, Samuel Clemens [Twain's birth name] was a fearless observer of society, who startled many while delighting and informing many more with his uncompromising perspective of social injustice and personal folly."

Sounds like Fey was a perfect fit.