Will Ferrell to Receive Comic Genius Award at MTV Movie Awards

MTV said Wednesday that comedian Will Ferrell will be honored with the MTV Movie Awards’ inaugural Comedic Genius Award.

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The award honors an actor who has not only provided a major influence through their work but also transformed the genre of comedy. From his years on Saturday Night Live (more cowbell, anyone?) to movies including Anchorman and Talladega Nights to the creation of comedy website Funny or Die, Ferrell has spent years in the industry doing what he does best: making people laugh.

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“Will Ferrell epitomizes what it means to be a comedic genius, and it’s only fitting that he should be the inaugural recipient of this award,” said MTV president Stephen Friedman. “Over the course of his extraordinary, 17-plus-year career, he has entertained audiences across the globe with an impressive array of laugh-out-loud performances on air, online and in films. Simply put, Will Ferrell is kind of a big deal.”

The sequel Anchorman: The Legend Continues is due to hit theaters around Christmas.

The full list of MTV Movie Awards nominees will be revealed March 5, during the 2013 MTV Movie Awards Nominations Spectacular, which will air live on MTV and MTV.com.

Josh Horowitz of MTV News will announce the awards, joined by MTV stars Jenni “JWOWW” Farley, Nev Schulman and the cast of Teen Wolf.

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Immediately following the Spectacular, fan voting will begin at MovieAwards.MTV.com.

Hosted by Pitch Perfect’s Rebel Wilson, the 22nd annual MTV Movie Awards will air live April 14.