Tina Fey to be Honored at PEN America Literary Awards (EXCLUSIVE)
variety.comTina Fey will receive the 2023 PEN/Mike Nichols Writing for Performance Award at 59th annual PEN America Literary Awards. “It’s been a lifelong dream to have my name associated in any way with the great Mike Nichols,” Fey said in statement Wednesday. “Thanks to this award, I can stop working on my ‘Silkwood’ reboot.” Fey is the fifth recipient to ever receive the award, which honors a groundbreaking writer who inspires audiences similar to the late director Mike Nichols.
The award will be presented to Fey by her “Saturday Night Live” co-star Rachel Dratch. “The PEN America Literary Awards celebrate both the joy and the essential hard truths writers deliver,” CEO of PEN American Suzanne Nossel said in a statement. “With her unabashed comic sensibilities, multilayered jokes, and heightened reflection of our off-kilter world, Tina Fey has brought indispensable laughter and insight to audiences and readers.
We couldn’t be happier to share this award with such a singular and pioneering artist, who, like the great Mike Nichols, understands the depth and social import of humor.” Fey’s roots in comedy date back to 1997 with her start as a writer and cast member on “SNL” — a gig she pursued for nine seasons.
By 1999, she was the first female head writer on the show. Fey departed from the sketch series in 2006, instead shifting her attention to creating, writing and starring in the NBC sit-com “30 Rock.” “30 Rock” broke the record for the most Emmy nominations in one season for any comedy series.
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