Actress Jennifer Coolidge was honored as the 2023 Woman of the Year.
As the oldest theatrical organization in the nation –and one of the oldest in the world– Hasty Pudding Theatricals has bestowed this award since 1951 on women
who have made lasting and impressive contributions to the world of entertainment.”
Coolidge, who saw her career opportunities soar after her Emmy-winning turn on The White Lotus, headlined a parade through the streets of Cambridge.
Coolidge, who grew up in the Boston area, said,
It’s been very fun. I’m really having a blast. I got to meet all these young students who are so much smarter than me.”
Producers roasted Coolidge poking fun at her lack of serious roles and noted how she left Boston for New York where she made a splash
as an incompetent cocktail waitress…
Patrons raved at your unpredictable movement patterns and your quote haunting rendition of Happy Birthday.”
Producer Aidan Golub noted how she once waitressed with Sandra Bullock,
marking the first and last time that you would get the chance to work with an Oscar-winner.”
Coolidge then judged a contest of four people doing impressions of her, choosing a man in drag as the winner and after saying her dream role was to play a dolphin, producers dressed her in a dolphin outfit and asked her to sing like one.
Coolidge got emotional later, recalling her late father who went to Harvard,
I’ve been so blown away that this experience is happening. I never saw it coming. It blows away any sort of movie or television show I have ever done.
Seriously, my dad went here. I wish he was here. His brothers went here and everything so it’s a big deal.”
Watch.
(Photo, screen grab; via NBC Boston)
