Jay Leno was honoured for being a "trail-blazing comedian" yesterday (19.10.14).
The 64-year-old presenter was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humour in a ceremony at the Kennedy Centre in Washington, and a host of famous faces paid tribute to his talent.
His 'Tonight' show successor Jimmy Fallon hailed Jay as a "trail-blazing" comedian and thanked him for being someone who showed him "that hard work does pay off" before introducing a clip of the star's first appearance on 'The Tonight Show'.
Meanwhile, Jerry Seinfeld recalled first meeting the presenter in 1978 and said: "He has really guided my career in so many ways, especially as a standup comedian. ... I learned how to do this from him.
"He showed me the way of what I wanted to be -- to let your inner crankiness out,. That can make good comedy. Entertaining complaining is a lot of what stand-up comedy is about."
Chelsea Handler also spoke at the ceremony, and joked: "Jay never made me feel like I wasn't one of the guys. I love you, and if you ever need anything from anyone, call Jimmy Fallon."
Other attendees included Seth Meyers, Kristen Chenoweth and Garth Brooks, while Jamie Foxx and Betty White sent video messages.
Highlights of the evening included a classic clip from the 'Tonight Show' featuring the late Robin Williams and Billy Crystal as guests, and Jay's 1986 'Saturday Night Live' opening monologue.
At the end of the evening, Jay was presented with a copy of an 1884 bronze portrait bust of Mark Twain sculpted by Karl Gerhardt and made a funny speech in which he thanked his friends and wife of 34 years, Mavis.
Of his spouse, he said: "Most people get to hear the good jokes -- she had to hear all the stupid ones that didn't work."
And the veteran entertainer admitted he would "treasure" the accolade.
He added: "This means a tremendous amount to me. I am so touched by this."
Previous recipients of the Mark Twain Prize include Richard Pryor, Whoopi Goldberg, Bob Newhart, Steve Martin, Billy Crystal, George Carlin, Bill Cosby, Tina Fey and Carol Burnett.
Last night's show was taped and will air on PBS stations in the US next month.

Ryan Reynolds wants to name his baby Bruce Jenner.
The 'Green Lantern' actor and wife Blake Lively are expecting their first child together and the 37-year-old hunk joked he is going to name the youngster after the 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' star as he doesn't want it to have a "pretentious" moniker.
He told Canadian talk show 'etalk': "On the plane over here I was trying to think of baby names. I don't want a name that's anything pretentious or, like, Hollywood-y."
He jokingly added: "So I'm going with Excalibur Anaconda Reynolds ... that's if it's a girl.
"[If it's a boy?] Bruce Jenner."
Ryan's 27-year-old spouse recently gushed about how well he has been taking care of her during her pregnancy.
She said: "He's always been good to me. You want to be able to complain about your husband and be that person, but he takes pretty good care of me."
Blake hasn't ditched her healthy diet since discovering she is pregnant but has stocked up on "stretchier" clothes to fit over her blossoming baby bump.
She explained: "I'm gonna amp up my style by wearing things that are stretchier. Because that's all that fits!"
The 'Savages' star admitted earlier this year that she and Ryan want a "litter of kids."

Michelle Heaton says her husband has been her "rock" in the wake of her hysterectomy operation.
The former Liberty X singer made the decision to undergo the procedure to remove her reproductive organs to prevent her from developing ovarian cancer as she carries the mutated BRCA2 gene which increases her risk of developing the illness.
Since she underwent the operation, Michelle admits her spouse Hugh Hanley has been incredible and an unbelievable support.
The 35-year-old star - who underwent a double mastectomy in November 2012 to stop her from getting breast cancer - said: "Hugh is amazing, he's the best dad in the world and he's the best husband ever. He's been fantastic support for me and like I said earlier ... I think a lot of men in his situation may have possibly walked away. It's been tough, it's been a tough two years and he's had to see me go in and out of hospital and I haven't really been that person that he married when he married me, we didn't know that this was going to happen. It's been traumatic and there are guys out there who could have selfishly walked away but he's just been amazing so I couldn't have done it without him."
Michelle's recovery has also been helped by the love of her two children, Faith, two, and seven-month-old Aaron, and she admits caring for them has kept her busy and stopped her from dwelling on the operation and the reality that she can't have any more kids.
During an interview on TV show 'Lorraine' this morning (21.10.14), she explained: "When you've got kids at home ... they keep you upbeat, they keep you busy and I don't have time to sit down and really, really think about everything that happened. They take up so much of my time and concentration that I don't have time to focus on me. At this point in my life that's been great. Usually you want that time to yourself whether it's to go get your nails done or go to the cinema, I don't want to really think about what I've had to go through right now, I might reflect later on in life but right now it's done and we've dealt with it and that's been the best form of counselling for me, my children."
Michelle knows she made the right decision to have both operations to protect herself from cancer and now she just hopes that her daughter Faith will not be diagnosed with the mutated BRCA2 gene, something she has a 50 percent chance of.
She said: "My only hope now is that when my daughter turns 18 she's not faced with the same decision that I've had to make. I don't know at 18 years old how do you come to the decision to remove something that helps you have children."

Britain's Queen Elizabeth was left disappointed after her horse Estimate finished last in its final race.
The 88-year-old royal had to put a brave face on at Ascot racecourse on Saturday (18.10.14) after her filly failed in its last outing in the Long Distance Cup before heading off to stud.
Following the race - which was won by Forgotten Rules - John Warren, the queen's racing manager, insisted people should focus on the horse's positives, including when she won the Gold Cup at the same racecourse in 2013, becoming the first horse of a reigning monarch to triumph in the race.
He said: "You cannot take the good things away. I think Estimate gave The Queen the biggest thrill she probably ever had in racing.
"The long and short of it is Estimate is now off to stud."
The queen was seen chatting to jockey Ryan Moore before the race but he was unable to guide the filly to victory at the Berkshire venue.
This comes just one month after Moore rode Estimate to victory in the Doncaster Cup at Doncaster Racecourse in South Yorkshire.
Following the race, Moore said: "She was never going to get beat today, she travelled so sweetly. I never really had to ask her a serious question."
Estimate's trainer Sir Michael Stoute also heaped praise on the equine, adding: "She can be a bit narky. It was great seeing her win. Goodwood didn't suit her, it was a bit too firm for her."

Britain's Duchess Catherine is expecting a baby in April 2015.
Kensington Palace has confirmed the Duchess of Cambridge's due date is in April next year and admitted both she and her husband Prince William are "delighted" by the news.
The statement read: "Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are delighted to confirm they are expecting a baby in April 2015."
The Palace also confirmed the 32-year-old duchess is still experiencing severe morning sickness, Hyperemisis Gravidarum, but she is getting better.
The statement continued: "The Duchess of Cambridge continues to be affected by Hyperemisis Gravidarum, but her condition is steadily improving."
Despite her illness, Catherine - who also 14-month-old son Prince George with 32-year-old William - has two London-based engagements scheduled for tomorrow.
She will greet the President of the Republic of Singapore on behalf of the queen at the Royal Garden Hotel and attend Wildlife Photographer of The Year 2014 Awards Ceremony at the Natural History Museum.
Catherine had to abandon plans to travel to Malta late last month due to the illness, but the royal couple are believed to be hoping to travel to New York soon if the brunette is well enough.
Earlier this month, bookmaker William Hill suspended betting on Catherine having twins following a big influx of bets on the royal having a pair of babies.
William Hill's spokesman, Rupert Adams said: "We have had a load of unexpected bets including a large number of new accounts - with any other market I would say that people know."

John Barrowman thought he was too young to be awarded an MBE by Princess Anne.
The 47-year-old actor was given the honour by the royal at Buckingham Palace last week, but he joked when he first heard he had been recognised for his charity work in the UK he was surprised because he is not a 70 year old and doesn't use a zimmer frame.
He is quoted by Access Hollywood as saying: "It was kind of surreal.
"I do a lot of charity work in the UK for numerous charities and Princess Anne is the patron of a couple of them that I'm involved in, as is the queen, and I didn't even know I was going to be getting [it] - that's something you expect to get when you're like 70, right? And retired and walking with a zimmer frame."
The 'Arrow' star enjoyed a day out at the palace last Tuesday with his husband Scott Gill as well as his mother and father and he admitted the occasion was "overwhelming".
He added: "I was just overwhelmed. But yeah, it was great. My mom and dad, my husband Scott - I took all of them and we spent a morning and a mid-afternoon at the palace."

Ade Edmondson finds it hard to talk about his late comedy partner Rik Mayall as he is still grieving for him.
The 57-year-old comic and Mayall achieved incredible success together in satirical 80s comedy 'The Young Ones' and in 90s sitcom 'Bottom' and since his shock death in June at the age of 56, Edmondson has struggled to process the loss.
Speaking to The Observer newspaper, he said: "I mean, Rik's death is just enormous and I haven't talked to anyone other than close friends about it. I don't really know how to talk about it to other people. I'm aware that people want something from me and I don't quite know how to give them what it is they want ... The thing is, I'm just completely awash, still. I don't know where I am with him."
Edmondson also revealed that he was recently asked to appear in a BBC tribute to his friend, but declined the opportunity because he felt it was the wrong way to reflect on Mayall's phenomenal career.
He said: "You could see it was just going to be a load of talking heads and clips, so I pulled out of that ... I just think he deserves something better than that. And I think, if someone important dies, you can't be flippant about it."

Evan Rachel Wood was left feeling "like meat" after her first Vanity Fair photoshoot.
The 27-year-old actress posed for the cover of the publication's Young Hollywood issue alongside stars including Mandy Moore and Amanda Bynes in 2003 when she was just 15 and says the experience left her close to tears after having her identity "erased" when they ignored her "begging" to wear trousers and flat shoes in favour of heels and a mini dress.
After a fan posted a picture of the starlets together from the shoot, Evan replied: "I was almost in tears after this shoot. They tried that dress on me, I wasnt comfortable but they told me there was no time cause everyone else took up too much time with their fittings.
"Then I was given a choice on whether I wanted to wear flats or heels. I chose flats and was immediately handed heels and told they looked better.
"Then we were all lined up, stared at and approved. I was 15 and felt for the first time my identity being erased and the pressure to shut up and do what you are told. I felt like meat. Since then, I have found my voice. Never again. #neverforget (sic)"
Evan put her "bullying" experience down to being "inexperienced and shy" but has learned from how uncomfortable she felt that day.
She added: "I think when you are young and inexperienced and shy you can be bullied more. I learned to say no."
And the 'Mildred Pierce' star - who is believed to be dating actress Katherine Moennig and has a 14-month-old son with estranged husband Jamie Bell - hoped sharing her experience would encourage her fans to "stay true" to themselves, insisting she wasn't complaining about any of the "privileges" of her job.
She added: "To all the haters. I am not complaining about being on the cover of vanity fair.
"I understand I am very privileged and there are far worse thing to go through.
"My point was that things arent always what they seem. Especially in this industry. What may seem glamorous sometimes comes at a price.
"I only want to encourage other young girls to stay true to who they are. No matter what. Hold on to your self.(sic)"
Evan also insisted she bared no hard feelings towards the publication.
She wrote: "Side note , I have shot the cover of "vanity fair" since and had a much different experience. It was quite lovely.(sic)"

Katie Couric finds married life "really fun".
The 57-year-old talk show host tied the knot with John Molner in an intimate ceremony at their home in East Hampton, New York in June and she says they are still in the honeymoon period.
She told People magazine: "Married life is great. It's fun. He's really funny and really fun to be with. I love being with him.
"The honeymoon isn't over yet, so it's nice."
The couple got engaged in September 2013 after two years of dating and the former 'Today' host previously admitted she was confused when John popped the question.
She said: ''He said that there was a reason he'd brought me there to the beach, and that he loved me and was committed to me, and I said, 'Yeah, I know that, you didn't have to bring me here to tell me that.'
''Finally he said, 'Couric, I'm trying to propose to you,' and I was stunned.''
Explaining how she responded, she laughed: ''It took me a while to say yes, because I was so confused! It took a long time for my brain to process what was going on.''
Katie was previously married to Jay Monahan - the father of her daughters Ellie, 22, and Carrie, 17 - but she was widowed when he tragically died from colon cancer in 1998 at the age of 42.

Brad Pitt says his new film 'Fury' has helped make him a "better father".
The 50-year-old star has six children, Maddox, 13, Pax, 10, Zahara, nine, Shiloh, eight, and six-year-old twins Vivienne and Knox, with wife Angelina Jolie, and he admitted the World War II movie has taught him how best to "command respect".
He said: "I learnt a lot from this film. We all walked away absolutely enriched.
"This role is a real study in leadership and learning to command respect and because of this, I am now a better father."
The Hollywood hunk also insisted Angelina - who he married in August - is not the one in charge in their family home, despite being made an honorary dame earlier this month.
Speaking at the 'Fury' premiere in London yesterday (19.10.14), he is quoted by The Sun newspaper as saying: "No she's not the boss. We have our own pecking order at home."
But he admitted the ceremony at Buckingham Palace in which Britain's Queen Elizabeth recognised the brunette beauty's services to UK foreign policy and the campaign to end war zone sexual violence was a fantastic family affair.
He said: "It was a pleasure, and a great honour for Angie. It was a wonderful afternoon for our family."
Brad stars opposite Shia LaBeouf, Logan Lergman, Michael Pena and Scott Eastwood in 'Fury', which sees him portray Sherman tank commander Don 'Wardaddy' Collier who leads his five-man team on a mission behind enemy lines.

Taylor Swift has hit back at Olly Murs after he slammed her songwriting.
The 24-year-old singer has branded his comments "sexist" after the former 'X Factor' star blasted her for writing songs about her ex-boyfriend Harry Styles, but the 'Shake it Off' hitmaker has been left outraged by his views and insists she is doing no different to Ed Sheeran and Bruno Mars.
Speaking on Australian radio station 2DayFM, she said: "You're going to have people that are going to see the depth from which you approached a song - that you put your real emotions into it and that that's valuable and that's good and that's real.
"And then you're going to have people who are going to say, 'Oh you know she just writes songs about her ex boyfriends.'
"But I think frankly that's a very sexist angle to take.
"No one says that about Ed Sheeran. No one says that about Bruno Mars.
"[They're] writing songs about their exes, their current girlfriends, their love life and no one raises a red flag there."
Olly hit out at Taylor, who never confirms who her songs are about, on the same radio station last week shortly after her latest song 'Out of the Woods' - which is said to be about Harry, who she dated for three months until they split in January 2013 - was released.
He said: "Come on [Taylor], let it go. Write something new that isn't about Harry.
"Bless him, it's been like two years and he's still getting lashed out isn't he?"
Olly also poked fun at the extremely successful singer - who has sold 30 million albums - by jokingly singing 'Out of the Woods', which was written about a death-defying snow mobile accident Taylor had with an ex-boyfriend and is set to appear on her forthcoming fifth studio album '1989', in the radio studio.

Simon Callow wants to star in 'Downton Abbey'.
The 'Four Weddings and Funeral' actor is eager to land a role in the period drama because he loves the ITV show.
The 65-year-old star is happy to appear in the series - which also stars Hugh Bonneville, Michelle Dockery and Laure Carmichael, Maggie Smith and Joanne Froggat - as part of the upper class Crawley family or their team of servants.
He told The Sun newspaper: "I'd love to be in 'Downton...' You might have thought they'd find some lowly role for me to play above or below stairs."
Simon also revealed a long-standing ambition to play a TV detective but admitted he is yet to be given the chance by producers.
He explained: "I long to play a TV detective! I've been saying this to producers for 50 years but nobody pays me the slightest bit of attention."
The 'Shakespeare in Love' star currently plays the scheming politician, Victor, in ITV's 'Plebs' and insists the "deeply funny" show is nothing like the late 60s and early 70s ancient Greece-set comedy series 'Up Pompeii!.
He said: "It's as far from 'Up Pompeii!' as you could possibly want to go and yet its deeply, deeply funny.
"I suppose the basic idea is that it's just Essex lads in ancient Rome. It's an inspired idea."