Bill Bellamy to receive Comedy Icon award at What’s Funny festival

American comedian and actor Bill Bellamy is set to receive the 'Icon' award at the 2026 What's Funny comedy festival. The accolade honours his decades of work and his lasting impact on the stand-up and entertainment industries. The festival was co-founded by Knowledge Beckum and comedian and actor Lil Rel Howery, known for his roles in Get Out, Rel, and Vacation Friends 2. Organisers state that the mission of What's Funny is to highlight Black and Latino comedians and to establish Chicago as the next major destination for comedy discovery. Variety reported the news on 10 August 2026. Specific details regarding the timing and logistics of the award ceremony have not yet been disclosed.