Bill Cosby receives the Johnny Carson Award for Comedic Excellence at this year’s American Comedy Awards airing May 8.

The honors from this award are bestowed upon an individual who “over the course of their lifetime, has made an extraordinary contribution to comedy and whose impact and innovations have changed the landscape and inspired future generations of entertainers.”

“This is where I started: NBC and Johnny Carson,” said Bill Cosby.

Cosby is one of America’s most known and most beloved comedians. He has captivated audiences with his comedy routines, albums and books. His comedic style transcends age, gender and cultural barriers.

“Bill Cosby is an iconic figure at the forefront of the American comedy landscape,” said Paul Telegdy, President, Alternative and Late Night Programming, NBC Entertainment. “His work in television, film, stand-up comedy and literature has shaped the national sense of humor and has had an enduring impact on comedians and fans of all ages. We are delighted to honor him with the Johnny Carson Award during NBC’s inaugural broadcast of the American Comedy Awards.”

He broke TV’s racial barrier when he became the first African-American to co-star in a television drama series I Spy. He created animated Emmy-winning series Fat Albert and the Cosby Kids in the 1970s. He is well known for his role in the Emmy and Peabody Award winning series The Cosby Show. Cosby has also been the recipient of the Kennedy Center Honors, the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor, and the Marian Anderson Award.

The American Comedy Awards celebrates those who have reached new heights in the past year in both TV and film.

Don Mischer Productions produces the American Comedy Awards. Executive producers are Don Mischer, Charlie Haykel and Juliane Hare.

The American Comedy Awards air on May 8 from 9-11 p.m. ET.PT on NBC.