Tina Fey for Mark Twain humour prize

Tina Fey will be awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humour later this year.

The 40-year-old is the youngest to receive the prestigious honour from the Kennedy Centre for the Performing Arts, reports The AP. Previous recipients include Bill Cosby, Whoopi Goldberg and Steve Martin.

"I am truly thrilled to receive this honour," Fey said.

"I assume Betty White was disqualified for steroid use."

The ceremony will be held November 9 in Washington, DC.