Jennifer Coolidge Announced As Harvard's Hasty Pudding Woman Of The Year Awardee
By Favour Adegoke on January 27, 2023 at 2:30 PM EST
"White Lotus" star Jennifer Coolidge is undoubtedly in her season of honors and recognition. Just weeks after receiving her first Golden Globe award, the actress is set to attend Harvard University to receive yet another accolade. Besides her acting credits in the award-winning "White Lotus," Coolidge has starred in movies like "American Pie," "Legal Blonde," and several others.
The actress's performance in "White Lotus" earned her an Emmy award as well as a Critics Choice award. She was notably the only cast retained for a second season of the series, which aired its final episode on December 11.
Read on to learn more.
Jennifer Coolidge Named The 2023 Hasty Pudding Woman Of The Year
Coolidge has a trip to Harvard University planned early next month for a different reason than most. The actress was announced as the honoree of the prestigious university's 2023 Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year accolade. On February 4, Coolidge is slated to command a parade across Harvard Square, after which Hasty Pudding will host a roast in her name.
The Man and Woman of the Year coordinator of Harvard University, Maya Dublin, released a statement expressing how excited the university was to welcome the beloved actress. "We are so excited to welcome Jennifer Coolidge back to her hometown and to Harvard, the iconic setting of 'Legally Blonde,'" Dubin said.
Coolidge starred in the 2001 "Legally Blonde" alongside Reese Witherspoon. She reprised her role as Paulette Bonafonté in its 2003 sequel and will play the character again in the upcoming third installment.
The Harvard Woman Of The Year Was Created In 1951
After the Pudding Pot prize ceremony, there will be a performance of "Cosmic Relief" by Pudding 174th production. Dubin continued in her statement, "Her glittering personality and comedic presence are so Pudding. We know she'll fit right into the Pudding's musical spectacular, though she'll still have to earn her Pudding Pot onstage."
Harvard's Hasty Pudding Theatricals is the oldest and one of the most prestigious theatrical organizations in the world. The organization created the Woman of the Year trophy as far back as 1951. It is given annually to people in the entertainment industry that have made "lasting and impressive contributions to the world of entertainment."
The previous prestigious award winners include Viola Davis, Meryl Streep, and Debbie Reynolds. "Better Call Saul" actor Bob Odenkirk will also be given the Man of the Year award on February 2, however, without a parade.
Bob Odenkirk Will Receive The Man Of The Year Award
Odenkirk, an award-winning actor, author, and writer, will also receive a Pudding Pot award alongside Coolidge. The actor is famous for his portrayal of Saul Goodman in "Breaking Bad" as well as the series spin-off, "Better Call Saul."
On Thursday, Odenkirk was dubbed the 2023 Man of the Year by the Hasty Pudding Theatricals of Harvard University. He is set to receive his Pudding Pot award on February 2 during a celebratory roast. After the event, the group revealed that Odenkirk would attend a preview of "COSMIC RELIEF!," a Hasty Pudding Theatricals' 174th production.
In a statement, producer Aidan Golub said, "When choosing our 2023 Man of the Year, I immediately knew we better call Bob Odenkirk. We're cooking up a lot of surprises to celebrate Mr. Odenkirk's contributions to the world of comedy both in front of and behind the camera."
Jennifer Coolidge's Emotional Speech At The Golden Globe Awards
Speaking to Page Six, Coolidge reflected on her acceptance speech when she won her first Golden Globe award earlier this year. She revealed that she didn't expect to be so overtaken by her emotions that night and momentarily forgot where she was.
After being named the winner of the Supporting Actress in a Limited Series/Anthology award, Coolidge climbed on stage to accept the award amid a standing ovation.
Speaking about how flustered she was, Coolidge said, "I was surprised at how I spilled my guts! I was standing in front of that crowd, and I forgot where I was. I was saying a lot of my feelings. I wasn't trying to be funny — I was being serious."
The actress was clearly overwhelmed by the moment at the time and went on to give an emotional speech about how her previous dreams of stardom had been considerably dwindled by life.
