Actress Rose Byrne honored as Harvard's Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year

Byrne will take part in a parade and receive a celebratory roast in Cambridge, Massachusetts.

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Rose Byrne, the award-winning actress known for roles in films like 'Bridesmaids,' 'Neighbors,' and 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You,' will be honored as the 2026 Woman of the Year by Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatricals. Byrne will participate in a parade through Cambridge and receive her pudding pot award at a celebratory roast.

Why it matters

The Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year award is one of the most prestigious honors in the entertainment industry, recognizing Byrne's impressive body of work and critical acclaim. The annual celebration is a long-standing tradition at Harvard, showcasing the university's connection to the arts and entertainment.

The details

As the 2026 Woman of the Year, Byrne will take part in a parade through the streets of Cambridge, Massachusetts, before receiving her pudding pot award at a celebratory roast. She will then attend a performance of Hasty Pudding Theatricals' 177th production 'Salooney Tunes.' Byrne is being honored for her leading role in the film 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You,' for which she received a Golden Globe Award and an Oscar nomination.

  • The parade and roast will take place on Friday, February 13, 2026.
  • Byrne will star in the Broadway revival of 'Fallen Angels' starting in March 2026.

The players

Rose Byrne

An award-winning Australian actress known for her roles in films such as 'Bridesmaids,' 'Neighbors,' 'Insidious,' and 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You,' for which she received a Golden Globe Award and an Oscar nomination.

Hasty Pudding Theatricals

The oldest theatrical organization in the nation and one of the oldest in the world, which has been bestowing the Woman of the Year award annually since 1951.

Daisy Nussbaum

The president of Hasty Pudding Theatricals, who expressed excitement about honoring Rose Byrne as the 2026 Woman of the Year.

Michael Keaton

The actor known for his roles in films such as 'Batman,' 'Birdman,' 'Beetlejuice,' and 'Spotlight,' who was named the 2026 Hasty Pudding Man of the Year.

Jocelyn Noveck

The Associated Press film critic who praised Byrne's performance in 'If I Had Legs I'd Kick You' as displaying 'versatility and grit in surely the toughest dramatic role of her career.'

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What they’re saying

“We are thrilled to honor Rose Byrne as our Woman of the Year. Hot off a Golden Globe win and an Oscar nomination, it's only right that she receives the most prestigious award of all: a pudding pot.”

— Daisy Nussbaum, President, Hasty Pudding Theatricals (wral.com)

“The film gave Byrne a chance to display versatility and grit in surely the toughest dramatic role of her career.”

— Jocelyn Noveck, Film Critic, The Associated Press (wral.com)

What’s next

Byrne will star in the Broadway revival of 'Fallen Angels' starting in March 2026.

The takeaway

Rose Byrne's recognition as the 2026 Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year underscores her impressive acting career and critical acclaim, cementing her status as a leading talent in the entertainment industry.