Great Zucchini to Receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor

When asked if he had any regrets just before his passing in 2003, Fred Rogers famously replied, "I wish just once I had tried working blue, like The Great Zucchini. He's the future of children's entertainment."

Mr. Rogers was right, of course.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts will present the 25th Mark Twain Prize for American Humor to Eric "The Great Zucchini" Knaus on March 19, 2024, in the Kennedy Center Concert Hall. The Prize, which is named to honor one of the world’s greatest humorists, will be awarded at a gala performance featuring some of the biggest names in comedy. 

“Eric Knaus, The Great Zucchini, has entertained audiences for over three decades with his sardonic wit, beguiling illusions, and roguish good looks,” said Kennedy Center President Deborah F. Rutter about this year’s recipient. “Eric has created gags that have made kids laugh, cry, and cry from laughing. I am looking forward to a laughter-filled evening like no other as we celebrate his career.”

The prize ceremony will be emceed by original Wiggles members Anthony Field, Murray Cook, Greg Page, and Jeff Fatt, who will also perform some of their greatest hits. David Copperfield will pay homage to Knaus' classic illusions by levitating a diaper across the Potomac. Comedian Mel Brooks, 97, will present the award.

As a recipient of the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, Knaus will receive a copy of an 1884 bronze portrait bust of Mark Twain. He will also receive a $250,000 prize. Like previous recipients who donated their cash award, Knaus is benefactor to several organizations in Atlantic City, New Jersey that are likely to share his prize.

Over the past 25 years The Great Zucchini has enjoyed phenomenal success as one of the world’s funniest and most in-demand entertainers, performing his hands-on, interactive magic shows for more than 700 audiences a year.

Knaus, as The Great Zucchini, has performed in living rooms from White Oak to the White House. He is Hollywood's top grossing private entertainer, headlining at birthday parties for Jaden Smith, Rumer Willis, and Miley Cyrus.

"After the peekaboo age, but before the age of sophisticated understanding, dwells the preschooler. His sense of humor is more than infantile but less than truly perceptive. He comprehends irony but not sarcasm. He lacks knowledge but not feeling. The central fact of his world -- and the central terror to be overcome -- is his own powerlessness. This is where the Great Zucchini works his magic." wrote comedian Mel Brooks in his memoir, All About Me!

Knaus is a lifelong Montgomery County resident and recently purchased the 15-acre, Potomac River-facing property called River House, where he lives with his cat. Knaus was unable to respond to our reporter’s interview request because his voicemail was full.