CAMBRIDGE, Mass. – Dozens of enthusiastic fans lined the streets of Cambridge on Friday to celebrate Austrian actress Rose Byrne, who will be honored this evening as the 2026 Woman of the Year by Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals.
Byrne, a Golden Globe Award winner and Oscar nominee for his leading role in “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,” waved to fans and blew kisses as his car drove slowly past the Harvard University campus. Byrne, who has also starred in “Bridesmaids,” “Neighbors,” “Insidious” and “Damages,” will receive her Pudding Pot Award at a gala ceremony at the end of the day. She will then participate in a performance of Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ 177th production of “Saloon Tunes”.
In her review of “If I Had Legs I’d Kick You”, The Associated Press’ Jocelyn Noveck wrote that the film gave Byrne “a chance to display versatility and patience in what is certainly the most difficult dramatic role of her career.”
“I’m so excited to be in the parade and see Rose Byrne. I loved her film ‘If I Had Legs I’d Kick You,'” said Jacqueline Metzger, a junior at Harvard and president of the university’s short-form improv group. “It was anxiety-inducing for me and the best movie I’ve seen all year. So I’m very excited, and we love her. We love Rose Byrne.”
Rachel Spurling, who is in her first year at Harvard Business School and was crowned Miss Cambridge last week, said she was thrilled to ride in the parade.
“It’s very exciting to be here today,” Sperling said. “This is my first appearance as Miss Cambridge. So I’m super excited to celebrate art and Rose and be able to join this community and celebrate women too.”
The parade included a colorful cast of characters, some in drag and bright wigs, one dressed as a cactus, and several dressed as revolutionary soldiers. It ended at Farkas Hall, where Byron would be roasted. Before going inside, Byron Hasty joined in a chorus line-style dance with the players from Pudding Theatricals.
Actor Michael Keaton, known for his roles in films like “Batman,” “Birdman,” “Beetlejuice” and “Spotlight,” is the 2026 Man of the Year. He received his pudding pot on 6 February.
“We are thrilled to honor Rose Byrne as Woman of the Year,” Daisy Nussbaum, president of Hasty Pudding Theatricals, said in a statement. “In addition to the Golden Globe win and the Oscar nomination, it’s fitting that she received the most prestigious award: a pudding pot.”
The Pudding is the oldest theater organization in the country and one of the oldest in the world. Since 1951, it has presented the award annually to women including actors Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Scarlett Johansson and Annette Bening. Last year, the winner was “Wicked” star Cynthia Erivo.
Byrne, who is Australian, also starred in “Juliet, Naked,” “Get Him to the Greek” and “28 Weeks Later.” Her theater credits include “Medea, You Can’t Take It With You” at the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and she will star opposite Kelli O’Hara in a revival of “Fallen Angels” on Broadway beginning in March.
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