CAMBRIDGE, MA (January 14, 2025) – The Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the oldest theatrical organization in the United States, announces JON HAMM as the recipient of its 2025 Man of the Year Award. From his iconic performances in Fargo, Landman, Grimsburg, Top Gun: Maverick, Baby Driver, and Your Friends and Neighbors, to his Primetime Emmy and Golden Globe Awarded role in Mad Men, the Pudding is proud to celebrate a truly unique and impactful presence in the world of entertainment.
The Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ Man and Woman of the Year Awards are presented annually to performers who have made lasting and impressive contributions to the world of entertainment. The Man of the Year award was established in 1967, with past recipients including Clint Eastwood, Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Harrison Ford, Samuel L. Jackson, Ryan Reynolds, and last year’s recipient Barry Keoghan, the 57th Man of the Year.
The Man of the Year festivities will take place on Friday, January 31st, 2025. The Hasty Pudding Theatricals will host a celebratory roast for Mr. Hamm at 6:00pm and present him with his Pudding Pot at Farkas Hall, the Pudding’s historic home in the heart of Harvard Square since 1888. A press conference will follow the roast at 6:20pm. Afterward, Mr. Hamm will attend a preview of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ 176th production 101 Damnations.
“Let’s hope our roast doesn’t give him any heart palpitations—he’s had enough drama with that,” said Producer Willow Woodward. “But with his work ethic, we’re confident he’ll take on our stage with as much grit as Texas oil fields. He’s the perfect man to strike gold and earn his Pudding Pot this January.”
“We are beyond excited to honor Jon Hamm as our 2025 Man of the Year,” said President Cathy Stanton. “Of course, to claim his Pudding Pot, he’ll have to prove he’s the real Jon Hamm—we’ve seen how good he is at keeping an identity under wraps!”
Jon Hamm’s nuanced portrayal of the high-powered, advertising executive Don Draper on AMC’s award-winning drama series “Mad Men” firmly established him as one of Hollywood’s most talented and versatile actors. He earned numerous accolades for his performance, including an Emmy Award in 2015 for Outstanding Actor in a Drama Series, Golden Globe Awards in 2016 and 2008, Television Critics Association Awards in 2011 and 2015, a Critics’ Choice Television Award in 2011, as well as multiple Screen Actors Guild nominations.
Currently, Hamm can be seen in the Paramount drama series, “Landman,” created by Taylor Sheridan and based on the Boomtown podcast by Christian Wallace. Hamm appears opposite Billy Bob Thornton and Demi Moore in the modern-day tale of fortune seeking in the world of West Texas oil rigs. The series broke records when it debuted as the most-watched original show in Paramount+ history during its first four weeks.
Next, Hamm will star in the upcoming Apple TV+ series, “Your Friends and Neighbors.” Hamm will executive produce the drama series alongside acclaimed screenwriter, novelist, and creator of the series, Jonathan Topper, who will serve as showrunner and co-executive producer. Hamm will star alongside Olivia Munn and Amanda Peet. The series will premiere on Apple TV+ in April 2025. Additionally, Hamm will lead the live-action television series adaptation of the psychological thriller podcast, “American Hostage,” in which he also starred. Hamm will reprise his role from the audio series that tells the true story of a radio reporter who is thrust into a life-or-death situation when a hostage taker demands to be interviewed on his show. Hamm will serve as an executive producer alongside Shawn Ryan, Eileen Myers, Connie Tavel, and Marney Hochman.
On television, Hamm starred in the fifth season of FX’s critically acclaimed anthology series, “Fargo”, alongside Juno Temple, Joe Keery, and Jennifer Jason Leigh, which premiered in November 2023. Hamm received an Emmy, Golden Globe, and Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for his outstanding performance as the villainous ‘Sheriff Roy Tillman’ and the show received a 2024 Critic’s Choice Award nomination in the category of Best Limited Series. Hamm could also be seen in season three of Apple TV+’s “The Morning Show,” where he shined among the star-studded ensemble including Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon, Billy Crudup, Mark Duplass, Greta Lee, and Julianna Margulies. Hamm received an Emmy nomination in the category of Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series for his performance. The show received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination in the category of Outstanding Ensemble Performance and a Critics Choice Award nomination in the category of Best Drama Series. Hamm also reprised his role as ‘Gabriel’ in the second season of Neil Gaiman’s “Good Omens” for Amazon Prime Video.
In animation, Hamm can be heard lending his voice to the detective comedy series “Grimsburg” for FOX. Hamm executive produced alongside the Jackal Group’s Gail Berman and Hend Baghdady, Connie Tavel, and showrunner Chadd Gindin. The series premiered in February 2024 and was renewed for a second season before the first episode premiered.
On the big screen, Hamm appeared in the highly successful film adaptation of the hit Broadway musical MEAN GIRLS. Hamm portrayed the iconic ‘Coach Carr’ in the Fey produced film, alongside Renee Rapp, Auli’i Cravalho, and Angourie Rice. Last year, Hamm starred opposite Tina Fey in the John Slattery directed film, MAGGIE MOORE(S). The murder mystery premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June 2023.
In 2022, Hamm starred and executive produced CONFESS, FLETCH, directed by John Slattery. This same year, Hamm also co-starred in the highly anticipated TOP GUN sequel, TOP GUN: MAVERICK. He played ‘Vice Admiral Cyclone’ in an all-star ensemble including Tom Cruise, Val Kilmer, and Miles Teller. The film was released theatrically on May 27, 2022, and holds the box office record for the biggest opening over a Memorial Day weekend. The film went on to gross a total of $1.5 billion globally and was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Picture.
In 2020, Hamm appeared as a guest star in seasons ten and eleven of “Curb Your Enthusiasm,” with critics calling his impersonation of Larry David “inspired” and a “highlight of the season.” He also starred opposite Emily Blunt in John Patrick Shanley’s WILD MOUNTAIN THYME. In 2019, he appeared in Noah Hawley’s directorial debut film, LUCY IN THE SKY, opposite Natalie Portman. Additionally, Hamm starred in Scott Z. Burns’ THE REPORT opposite Annette Bening and Adam Driver and THE BATTLE OF RICHARD JEWELL, directed by Clint Eastwood.
In 2018, he starred in Drew Goddard’s BAD TIMES AT THE EL ROYALE for Twentieth Century Fox as well as in Warner Bros. comedy TAG opposite Ed Helms and Jeremy Renner. He also starred in Tony Gilroy’s BEIRUT alongside Rosamund Pike. Hamm starred as a former U.S. diplomat who returns to service to save a former colleague. Critics called Hamm’s performance his “best work yet.”
In 2017, Hamm starred in Edgar Wright’s hugely successful heist thriller BABY DRIVER opposite Ansel Elgort, Kevin Spacey and Jamie Foxx. Hamm also appeared in the independent film MARJORIE PRIME.
In 2016, Hamm starred in 20th Century Fox’s KEEPING UP WITH THE JONESES, opposite Zach Galifianakis and Isla Fisher. In 2015, Hamm lent his voice to the wildly successful Universal Pictures animated feature, THE MINIONS, alongside Sandra Bullock and Steve Coogan. Hamm’s previous film credits include Disney’s MILLION DOLLAR ARM, based on a script by Thomas McCarthy and directed by Craig Gillespie, FRIENDS WITH KIDS, written and directed by Jennifer Westfeldt; BRIDESMAIDS with Kristen Wiig; Ben Affleck’s THE TOWN, Zack Snyder’s fantasy thriller SUCKER PUNCH, HOWL with James Franco, SHREK FOREVER AFTER, in which he voiced the character ‘Brogan,’ THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL with Keanu Reeves, Jennifer Westfeldt’s IRA & ABBY and KISSING JESSICA STEIN, and WE WERE SOLDIERS.
Hamm’s appearances on the Emmy-winning comedy, “30 Rock,” from 2009-2012 earned him three Emmy nominations for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. He has also hosted “Saturday Night Live” three times, once in 2008 and twice in 2010 to critical acclaim. In addition to “Mad Men”, Hamm also appears in the second season of Netflix’s “Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt” created by Tina Fey and Robert Carlock. Hamm played Reverend Richard Wayne Gary Wayne, the senior prophet who fools four women into being held captive for fifteen years while they are believed to have survived the apocalypse. The role earned him an Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series. His additional television credits include, “A Young Doctor’s Notebook,” a BBC miniseries in which he stars opposite Daniel Radcliffe and also executive produced the Larry David film CLEAR HISTORY for HBO. Hamm first came to the audience’s attention in the NBC series “Providence.” Signed for a cameo role, he impressed the producers so much that he ended up with an 18-episode run on the series.
A native of St. Louis, Missouri, Hamm received his Bachelor of Arts in English at the University of Missouri-Columbia and currently resides in Los Angeles.
The Hasty Pudding Theatricals gratefully acknowledges the generous support of our corporate sponsor, The Harvard Cooperative Society (https://store.thecoop.com/).
THE HASTY PUDDING THEATRICALS ANNOUNCES
CYNTHIA ERIVO
AS 2025 WOMAN OF THE YEAR
CAMBRIDGE, MA (January 21, 2025) – The Hasty Pudding Theatricals, the oldest theatrical organization in the United States, announces Emmy, Tony, Grammy-winning and 2x Oscar nominee CYNTHIA ERIVO as the recipient of its 2025 Woman of the Year Award. From her iconic performances in Harriet and Broadway’s The Color Purple, to her recently critically acclaimed role as Elphaba in Universal’s Wicked: Part One, the Pudding is proud to celebrate her truly unique and impactful presence in the world of entertainment.
The Woman of the Year Award is the Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ oldest honor, bestowed annually on performers who have made lasting and impressive contributions to the world of entertainment. Established in 1951, the Woman of the Year Award has been given to many notable and talented entertainers including Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Scarlett Johansson, Anne Hathaway, Kerry Washington, and most recently Annette Bening, the 74th Woman of the Year. The Hasty Pudding Theatricals is a program of The Hasty Pudding – Institute of 1770.
The Hasty Pudding Theatricals will host a celebratory roast for Ms. Erivo on February 5th at 7:00pm, after which she will be presented with her Pudding Pot at Farkas Hall, the Hasty Pudding’s historic home in Harvard Square since 1888. A press conference will follow the presentation at 7:20pm. Afterward, Ms. Erivo will attend a performance of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ 176th production, 101 Damnations.
“We are holding space for Cynthia Erivo’s arrival,” said Man and Woman of the Year Events Coordinator Hannah Frazer, “We’re sweeping out our broomstick closets and prepping some wicked smart humor as we eagerly await her in February. Before she flies off with her Pudding Pot, she’ll have to work a little magic to earn it.”
“Looks like someone might need to hold Cynthia’s hand—or finger—during this roast,” joked Hasty Pudding Producer Daisy Nussbaum. “That said, we promise not to be as mean as the wizard. By the end, she’ll be the one who’s truly popular with the crowd.”
Cynthia Erivo is a Grammy® Emmy® and Tony® Award-winning actress, singer and producer, as well as an Academy Award®, Golden Globe®, BAFTA®, and SAG nominee. Erivo burst onto West End and Broadway stages in THE COLOR PURPLE and has since taken the world by storm.
Erivo most recently starred as Elphaba opposite Ariana Grande’s Glinda in Universal’s record-breaking film adaptation of the hit musical WICKED from director Jon M. Chu. Part 1 of WICKED was released on November 22nd, 2024. With Part 2 releasing on November 21st, 2025. WICKED Part One opened at number one and has since become the highest grossing movie ever at the domestic box office based on a Broadway musical. Erivo has received widespread critical acclaim and rave reviews for her performance as Elphaba including SAG, Golden Globe and Critics Choice Award nominations.
She recently wrapped production on the second season of POKER FACE, Peacock’s critically acclaimed series from creator Rian Johnson starring Natasha Lyonne. Erivo will guest star in season two alongside BJ Novak and Margo Martindale.
In Spring 2024, Erivo starred in and produced DRIFT, which follows a young Liberian refugee named Jacqueline (Erivo) who has barely escaped her war-torn country to a Greek island. The film made its World Premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 22nd, 2023 and opened to rave reviews. It made its theatrical release on March 26, 2024. In addition to starring in and producing the film, Erivo also wrote and recorded the original song, “It Would Be” for the film.
In 2021, Erivo was nominated for an Emmy® for her critically acclaimed portrayal of Aretha Franklin in National Geographic’s Emmy-winning global anthology series GENIUS: ARETHA. This season is the first-ever, definitive, and only authorized scripted limited series on the life of the universally acclaimed Queen of Soul. The series premiered on National Geographic on March 21, 2021.
In addition to her illustrious acting career, Erivo is a Grammy®-nominated songwriter and performer, often headlining sold-out shows, symphonies, and music spaces including the Kennedy Center Honors, the 2020 Academy Awards, the 2017 Governor’s Ball and the 2017 Grammy Awards. Erivo released her debut album, Ch. 1 Vs. 1, with Verve/Universal Music Group on September 17, 2021.
Erivo released her first children’s book titled, Remember to Dream, Ebere on September 28, 2021. The book follows a young girl named Ebere whose mother encourages her to dream as big as possible. Erivo wrote the book as an ode to a child’s imagination, a parent’s love and the big dreams shared by both.
Erivo recently starred opposite Idris Elba in the Netflix feature film installment of Luther: The Fallen Sun, continuing the story of the acclaimed crime series. Erivo plays a detective who is also Luther’s nemesis while Serkis is the story’s criminal villain. Luther: The Fallen Sun premiered on Netflix on March 10, 2023.
In 2022, Cynthia Disney’s live-action retelling of PINOCCHIO. Directed by Robert Zemeckis, Erivo will take on the iconic role of the Blue Fairy. She is also slated to star in Apple’s ROAR, an anthology series of darkly comic feminist fables. It was also announced that Erivo will produce and star in a biopic about Sara Forbes Bonnetta, a 19th-century Nigerian princess who was “gifted” to Queen Victoria after being liberated from slavery.
In August 2020, Erivo launched her production company, Edith’s Daughter, and announced her first-look deal with MRC Television & Civic Center Media. Edith’s Daughter focuses on projects that express the beauty in the stories and people who are often overlooked and underrepresented. Erivo named Solome Williams as Vice President of the company.
Erivo starred in the HBO series THE OUTSIDER, which premiered on January 12, 2020. The series is based on the Stephen King novel of the same name. The series follows an unorthodox investigator and a seasoned cop investigating a gruesome murder of a local boy.
In 2019, Erivo starred in Kasi Lemmons’ HARRIET, where she brought the legacy of Harriet Tubman to the big screen. Focus Features released the film in theaters on November 1, 2019, and Erivo’s performance was met with critical acclaim. Additionally, Erivo lent her voice to the movie’s title song, “Stand Up,” for which she co-wrote. “Stand Up” won “Best Original Song” at the Hollywood Music in Media Awards. Both Cynthia and “Stand Up” were nominated for two Academy Awards as well as two Golden Globe Awards in the categories of “Best Actress in a Motion Picture – Drama” and “Best Original Song” respectively. Additionally, “Stand Up” received a nomination for a Grammy Award in the category of “Best Song Written for Visual Media.” The film also garnered ten NAACP nominations as well as AAFCA and Society of Composers & Lyricists Award wins.
The Hasty Pudding Theatricals gratefully acknowledges the generous support of our corporate sponsor, The Harvard Cooperative Society (https://store.thecoop.com/).
More information coming soon!
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The Hasty Pudding Theatricals gratefully acknowledges the generous support of our corporate sponsor, The Harvard Cooperative Society (https://store.thecoop.com/).
