South African born stand up comedian and TV host Trevor Noah, just became the first black comic to win the Dutch Erasmus Prize, the prestigious European prize named after philosopher and humanist scholar Desiderius Erasmus.
The Praemium Erasmianum Foundation selected the former host of The Daily Show for his inspired contribution to the theme ‘In Praise of Folly,’ named after Erasmus’ most famous book, which is filled with humor, social criticism and political satire.”
The prize which comes with a cash prize of €150,000 ($159,000) is given annually to a “person or institution that has made an exceptional contribution to the humanities, the social sciences or the arts, in Europe and beyond”
The foundation applauded Noah for garnering a young, diverse and global audience offering a breath of fresh air to Media – especially through peculiar times as Donald Trump’s presidency, COVID-19 and the Black Lives Matter movement.
Although the world was shocked with the news of his exit from the daily show after his seven-year run, the foundation praised Noah for upholding what they’ve called the ‘Erasmian Spirit’.
Well, fans of the 39 year old can expect his new book about forgiveness, acceptance and the secret to solidarity – Hollywood Reporter broke the news earlier this month.