US funnywoman Whoopi Goldberg has made history by becoming the first ever woman to receive the Mark Twain Prize For Humour. A dozen of the 45-year-old actress-comedian’s friends saluted her talent at a presentation ceremony at the Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts in Washington DC on Monday night.

Admitting that she had not initially been sure that the humour-based event was appropriate following last month’s terrorist attack, Whoopi said that after putting herself “under the microscope” she decided she had something to add to the nation’s recovery. Her contribution was, as she defined it, “dirty jokes and bad language”.

The comedian, who attended the event with new boyfriend Michael Visbal, later added: “We must pick ourselves up by our bootstrings and laugh. We have to.”

Among those teasing theColor Purple star were fellow comedian Robin Williams, resplendent in kilt and gas mask, andWhen Harry Met Sally actor-comedian Billy Crystal. Billy seemed intent on catching a glimpse of what lay beneath Robin’s tartan gear and kept trying to sneak a peek. “We’re following the President’s orders to look for anyone suspicious,” he quipped.

Other entertainers contributing to the evening’s entertainment included Chris Rock, Alan King and Bruce Vilanch. Whoopi’s co-star in theRush Hour movies, Chris Tucker, told her: “You are a legend, and you know it.”

The event was recorded, and will air on US television station PBS on November 21.

Photo: © Alphapress.com

Photo: © Alphapress.com