Will Ferrell drops Twain prize at ceremony

Clumsy Will Ferrell was left red-faced after collecting the coveted Mark Twain Prize for American Humor on Sunday night, Oct. 23, 2011 - he broke the award by accidentally dropping it.

Ferrell received the honor during a star-studded gala at the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. and Jack Black opened the show with a song and dance number dedicated to his pal.

The "School of Rock" star led the crowd in a rendition of Queen's "We Will Rock You," changing the words to "Will, Will, Will, will rock you," before adding, "Will Ferrell, did you notice how I changed it from We Will Rock You?... It's about time he got some official Washington, D.C., props... He's crazy funny. He makes you laugh so hard you cry and pee simultaneously."

But funny-man Ferrell blundered at the end of the night when he eventually received the award as he promptly dropped the trophy, which is a bust of Twain, and scrambled to pick up the broken pieces.

He told the crowd, "As I stare at this bust, I am reminded how humbled I am by this honor... and what special care I will take of it... In fact, I told my wife how I might buy it a seat on the way home."

Ferrell also thanked the "wonderful people who spoke or performed tonight on my behalf," and his wife Viveca, according to USA Today.

Other stars who honored the comedian at the event included Matthew Broderick, Ben Stiller and Green Day rocker Billie Joe Armstrong, who performed in Ferrell's honor.

A recording of the show will air in America on October 31, 2011.