Jon Stewart, the host of Comedy Central's The Daily Show, will step down later this year.
The comedian said it had "been an absolute privilege" to have been at the helm of the satirical show since 1999.
He will leave later this year. "This show doesn't deserve an even slightly restless host and neither do you," Stewart told his audience on Tuesday.
Comedy Central president Michele Ganeless paid tribute, saying: "His comedic brilliance is second to none."
Stewart's show has often been cited as a leading news source for young people, with an average audience of one million viewers.
BBC News - Jon Stewart to leave The Daily Show