Emma Stone, Jane Curtin Join Bill Murray Tribute

Murray is set to receive the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday

Emma Stone and Jane Curtin are late additions to the lineup of performers who'll celebrate Bill Murray when he receives the Mark Twain Prize, a top honor for humorists, this Sunday.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts announced Tuesday that Stone and Curtin will take the stage in honor of Murray on Sunday night, joining a lineup including David Letterman, Sigourney Weaver and Aziz Ansari.

Curtin performed alongside Murray on "Saturday Night Live,” and Stone co-starred with him in the little-seen movie "Aloha."

Also new to the lineup are musician Rhiannon Giddens and Ivan Reitman, who directed Murray in "Ghostbusters." Murray's co-star in that movie, Dan Aykroyd, has dropped out of the event due to a scheduling conflict, the Kennedy Center said.

Murray, 65, will join the ranks of fellow “Saturday Night Live” alums Eddie Murphy, Tina Fey and Will Ferrell, who have won the honor in past years.

Murray joined the SNL cast in 1977 and soon after became a comedy movie star, starting with “Meatballs” in 1979. After his turn as the mumbling groundskeeper Carl in the 1980s ensemble screwball comedy “Caddyshack,” Murray scored starring roles in hit films “Ghostbusters” and its sequel “Ghostbusters 2,” “Groundhog Day” and “What About Bob?”

Later in his career, Murray took on subtler, quirky characters in Wes Anderson films like “Rushmore” and “The Life Aquatic,” and a more serious role in Sofia Coppola’s 2003 “Lost in Translation,” for which he drew many accolades.

In real-life, Murray is an avid golfer and sports fan. He’s also known for showing up unannounced at non-Hollywood events — house parties, wedding receptions, kickball games.

"His unique brand of humor seems to defy time itself, always remaining relevant and relatable to new audiences — much like our award's namesake,” Kennedy Center president Deborah Rutter said of the star.

In a statement, Murray said he’s honored by the award.

“I believe Mark Twain has rolled over in his grave so much for so long,” he said, “that this news won’t disturb his peace.”

The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor is awarded to those who influence society in the tradition of Samuel Clemens, the writer, satirist and social commentator better known as Mark Twain.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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