Jay Leno, comedian, actor, writer, and former television host of NBC's "The Tonight Show," will be honored with the 17th annual Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, The LA Times reports.

The announcement on Leno's honor was made on Wednesday by the John F. Kennedy Center of the Performing Arts.

The Mark Twain prize honors and recognizes those who have had an impact on American society in ways similar to Mark Twain.

Leno will receive the award on Oct. 19 and the ceremony will be broadcasted nationally on the PBS channel on Nov. 23.

"Like Mark Twain, Jay Leno has offered us a lifetime's worth of humorous commentary on American daily life," said Kennedy Center Chairman David M. Rubenstein in an official announcement. "For both men, no one was too high or too low to escape their wit, and we are all the better for it."

Jay Leno is best known for hosting "The Tonight Show" for 22 years. He became the successor to Johnny Carson who originally hosted the variety series for 30 years.

According to the Washington Post, Leno's association with "The Tonight Show" spanned three decades prior to him becoming the host in 1992.

Leno's first appearance on "The Tonight Show" was as a stand-up comedian in 1977.

By 1987, he was the regular guest host for Johnny Carson, and in 1992 he succeeded Carson, reports the Washington Post.

Since his retirement from television approximately four months ago, Leno was inducted into the Television Hall of fame and Jimmy Fallon has taken his place on the late night show.

So how does Jay Leno feel about his newest prize?

According to the Washington Post, he thinks it's an honor.

"What an honor!" Leno said in a statement. "I'm a big fan of Mark Twain's. In fact, 'A Tale of Two Cities' is one of my favorite books!"

The Mark Twain prize past recipients include Tina Fey, Steve Martin, Bill Cosby, Lorne Michaels and Carol Burnett.