The New York Comedy Festival (NYCF), the largest and longest-running annual comedy festival in the United States, in collaboration with Variety, has announced that Emmy Award-winning and eight-time Grammy-nominated comedian and actor Jim Gaffigan will be the recipient of Variety’s inaugural Comedy Vanguard Award. This prestigious award will be presented during the 21st edition of the New York Comedy Festival on Sunday, November 9, at the Upright Citizens Brigade Theater. The ceremony will be followed by a career-focused conversation with Gaffigan, moderated by Variety reporter Ethan Shanfeld.

The New York Comedy Festival, founded by Caroline Hirsch in 2004, is set to run from November 7 to 16 this year. The inaugural Comedy Vanguard Award aims to recognize Gaffigan’s pioneering contributions to the world of comedy, his remarkable career milestones, and his role as an inspiration to the entertainment community and a dedicated supporter of his fellow comedians. During the festival, Gaffigan will also participate in the annual Stand Up for Heroes and Cool Comedy • Hot Cuisine events, both benefiting the Scleroderma Research Foundation.

Jim Gaffigan boasts an impressive career as a comedian, actor, writer, and producer. His extensive work includes starring in the semi-autobiographical series “The Jim Gaffigan Show,” and featuring in films such as “Unfrosted,” “Chappaquiddick,” “Hotel Transylvania,” and “Linoleum.” He is also the author of the New York Times bestselling books “Dad Is Fat” and “Food: A Love Story.” Gaffigan has released 11 acclaimed stand-up specials, with his most recent, “The Skinny,” marking Hulu’s first original stand-up special. He is currently on tour with his “Everything Is Wonderful” stand-up show.

Caroline Hirsch, founder and owner of the New York Comedy Festival, expressed her enthusiasm for Gaffigan receiving the award, stating, “Jim Gaffigan has been making us laugh since the very beginning of his career, and I’ve had the pleasure of watching him grow into one of the most respected and beloved voices in comedy today. His originality, consistency, and sheer brilliance on stage make him the perfect recipient of this inaugural Comedy Vanguard Award. No one is more deserving, and Jim truly represents the spirit of innovation and excellence that this honor celebrates.”

In addition to the award presentation, Variety and the NYCF will host a dynamic “Business of Comedy” panel. This event will gather industry voices to explore the evolving landscape of comedy, covering how content is developed, financed, distributed, and consumed, as well as predicting future trends. Moderated by Ethan Shanfeld, the panel will feature Caroline Hirsch; Lilly Burns, producer of “Search Party” and “Emily in Paris”; Emmy-nominated comedian Jeff Ross, known as the “Roastmaster General”; and Louis Faranda, Talent Executive for the New York Comedy Festival.

The festival's lineup also includes a wide array of highlights, such as a screening of “St. Denis Medical,” appearances by “The Basement Yard,” Hannah Berner, Michael Blackson, Louis C.K., Margaret Cho, “Comics To Watch,” Alex Edelman, Chris Fleming, Chris Gethard, John Goblikon, Patti Harrison, Pete Holmes, Morgan Jay, Ismo, Ryan Long, Jaye McBride, New York’s Funniest Stand-Ups Presented by Threads, Nurse John, Maddy Smith, Yohay Sponder, “Strangers With Candy” with Stephen Colbert, Paul Dinello and Amy Sedaris, Ricky Velez, Trevor Wallace, and many more. The NYCF annually showcases over 200 top comedians from around the globe across more than 100 shows over ten days, utilizing iconic venues like Carnegie Hall, the Beacon Theatre, Madison Square Garden, and Town Hall, thereby solidifying New York City’s reputation as the comedy capital of the world. The 2025 NYCF is made possible by its partners including Bread Financial, Threads, Hard Rock Hotel New York, ABC7, iHeart Radio, NBC Peacock, NYC Media & Entertainment, NYC Tourism + Conventions, Founded in NYC, New York Magazine, New York Post, Vulture, and The Wall Street Journal. For more information, tickets, and the full schedule, visitors can go to nycomedyfestival.com and follow the festival on social media using #makeNYlaugh.