Rose Byrne Named 2026 Woman of the Year by Harvard’s
Cambridge, Massachusetts – Rose Byrne, fresh off a Golden Globe win and an Oscar nomination for her leading role in If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, has been named Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals 2026 Woman of the Year. The announcement was made on January 28.
Byrne, known for roles in Bridesmaids, Neighbors, Insidious, and Damages, will be honored with a traditional parade through the streets of Cambridge on February 13. She will then receive her iconic pudding pot at a celebratory roast and attend a performance of Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ 177th production, Salooney Tunes.
Actor Michael Keaton has been named the 2026 Man of the Year and will receive his pudding pot on February 6.
Hasty Pudding Theatricals President Daisy Nussbaum said, “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.
Founded in 1795, Hasty Pudding Theatricals is the oldest theatrical organization in the United States and one of the oldest in the world. Since 1951, it has annually recognized women including Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Scarlett Johansson, and Annette Bening. Last year’s Woman of the Year was Wicked star Cynthia Erivo.
The Australian actress’s recent work includes Juliet, Naked, Get Him to the Greek, and 28 Weeks Later. Her theater credits feature Medea and You Can’t Take It With You at the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Byrne is also set to star alongside Kelli O’Hara in the Broadway revival of Fallen Angels starting in March.
