Cambridge, Mass. - Annette Bening, the renowned actress and two-time Golden Globe winner, was honored on Tuesday as Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatricals 2024 Woman of the Year. The celebration began with a lively parade, filled with vibrant costumes and drag performers, paying tribute to Bening's achievements. The festivities continued with a celebrity roast, where Bening was playfully teased by her peers.

Later that evening, Bening attended a performance of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals' 175th production, titled "Heist Heist Baby." During the show, she surprised the audience by joining a group of synchronized swimmers on stage, showcasing her swim strokes to the beat of the song "Pump Up the Jams." This playful nod to her role in the swimming movie “Nyad” delighted the crowd.

In another unexpected twist, Bening took the stage and offered her signature haircut to a volunteer, showcasing her versatility and willingness to engage with the audience. Following this, she donned a seagull costume and enthusiastically acted out the role of the sea bird, squawking and waving her arms. This performance paid homage to her appearance in the movie adaptation of Anton Chekhov's "The Seagull."

With her characteristic wit, Bening humorously remarked, "I did it all myself with no one's help," after accepting the traditional pudding pot and attempting to begin her speech by thanking her kindergarten teacher. Notably, Bening's husband, Warren Beatty, was honored as the Man of the Year in 1975, adding another layer of significance to the occasion.

The Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the oldest theatrical organization in the nation and one of the oldest in the world, has been awarding the Woman of the Year title since 1951. Past recipients of this prestigious accolade include Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Scarlett Johansson, and Jennifer Coolidge. Bening, wearing a stylish brown coat, hat, and sunglasses, delighted the crowd by blowing kisses and receiving pecks on both cheeks from drag performers.

As the parade concluded, Bening joined several other individuals in a spirited can-can dance, further showcasing her vivacious personality. Josh Hillers, the president of Hasty Pudding Theatricals, expressed his excitement about honoring Bening during the organization's 175th anniversary year, stating, "We're absolutely thrilled to honor Annette Bening... we're excited to present her with the most prestigious award in the entertainment industry."

Bening's recent Oscar nomination for Best Actress, her fifth overall, further solidifies her status as a formidable talent. Her portrayal of the determined long-distance swimmer Diana Nyad in the film “Nyad” garnered critical acclaim. Bening, who has also won a Screen Actors Guild Award and starred in acclaimed films like “The Grifters” and "American Beauty," continues to captivate audiences with her exceptional performances.

In a separate event, Barry Keoghan, known for his roles in "Dunkirk," "The Killing of a Sacred Deer," "Eternals," and "The Banshees of Inisherin," received the Hasty Pudding Theatricals 2024 Man of the Year Award. Keoghan, who also starred in the comedy psychological thriller “Saltburn” and the World War II drama series "Masters of The Air," was honored with a pudding pot and invited to attend the performance of "Heist Heist Baby!".

During the roast, Keoghan, who hails from Ireland, was playfully engaged in a boxing match with a character named "Mr. Irish Potato Famine," portrayed by an actor in an exaggeratedly large suit and hat. The roast also featured an amusing romantic comedy scene, culminating in Keoghan playfully burying his face in a dish of spaghetti.

Keoghan, known for his role in "The Eternals," humorously confessed that his favorite Avenger was initially the Hulk, before realizing that Robert Downey Jr., who portrays Iron Man, was not in the audience. The BAFTA award-winning actor concluded the roast by receiving a “BAFTUB” award, a bathtub-sized trophy that he climbed into, before being playfully adorned with a bra featuring Morton Salt cartons and cardboard flames.

Speaking to reporters after the roast, Keoghan expressed his gratitude for being recognized alongside esteemed actors who have previously received the Man of the Year Award. He humorously remarked, "I've seen Paul Newman's name and some of the others. It's just an honor, isn't it?" Keoghan also playfully commented on his time spent in Harvard Square and at the prestigious university, stating, "I automatically feel more intelligent being here."

The Hasty Pudding Theatricals, founded in 1844 and proudly calling itself the third-oldest theater group globally, has been presenting the Man of the Year Award since 1967. Previous recipients of this esteemed honor include Clint Eastwood, Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Harrison Ford, Samuel L. Jackson, and Ryan Reynolds. The organization's commitment to recognizing individuals who have made significant contributions to the entertainment industry remains unwavering.