Carol Burnett has been a leading lady of funny for 50 years, acting, singing and staring in her variety show, The Carol Burnet Show.

Because of Burnett’s comedic prowess, the iconic star was presented with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. The award was presented to Burnett at the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts on Sunday night.

“This is very encouraging,” the 80-year-old actress jokingly said.

“It was a long time in coming, but I understand because there are so many people funnier than I am, especially here in Washington. With any luck, they’ll all get voted out, and I’ll still have the Mark Twain Prize,” said Burnett.

Julie Andrews, Amy Poehler, Tina Fey and Martin Short were among the celebrities who shared their thoughtful words about the winning woman.

“You were smart enough to know that sketch comedy is a great place for women,” Fey said.

The 30 Rock writer and star won the award three years ago in 2010.

Fey said, “because only in sketch comedy does a woman get to dress up like Cher, Scarlett O’Hara, the queen of England, Norma Desmond, a Girl Scout and Mrs. Wiggins, all in one night. You mean so much to me. I love you in a way that is just shy of creepy.”

After the nearly two-hour tribute, Burnett herself took the stage and explained where her love for comedy began. She said that it all started while she was studying at the University of California, Los Angeles, where she received her first laugh playing a hillbilly.

“I was hooked on making those laughs forever,” she said.

The Mark Twain Award Winner has had other several honors including Emmys and a Peabody.

Carol Burnett: The Kennedy Center Mark Twain Prize will air on Nov. 24 on PBS.

Photo Credit: YouTube