Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Theatricals announced Neil Patrick Harris, Emmy Award-winning actor as 2014 Man of the Year. Helen Mirren, the 68-year-old Academy Award-winning actress was recently named 2014 Woman of the Year.
The annual awards are bestowed upon performers who have made long-lasting and remarkable contributions to the world of entertainment. Previous recipients of this award include Katharine Hepburn, Julia Roberts, Jodie Foster, Steven Spielberg, Harrison Ford and Anthony Hopkins. Last year's winners were Marion Cotillard and Kiefer Sutherland.
Harris, who is best known for playing the womanizing 'Barney' in hit sitcom 'How I Met Your Mother, will be honored with a parade through the streets of Cambridge, followed by a celebratory roast at Harvard on Feb.7. He will then be presented with the pudding pot at Farkas Hall, the Pudding's historic home in the heart of Harvard Square since 1888.
"I assume this is for that pudding wrestling competition I won last April ... right?" said Harris. "It was dark and seemed quite seedy at the time - I'm stoked that it's connected with Harvard. Fancy! Can't wait!"
Harris shot to fame with his role in 'Doogie Howser M.D.' and subsequently worked in theatres and films, including the Harold and Kumar and Smurf movies.
He is expected to be back on Broadway this spring in the upcoming premiere of John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask's musical 'Hedwig and the Angry Inch.' It opens at the Belasco Theater on 22 Apr 2014, following previews from 29 Mar 2014, New York Theater Guide reports.
Besides his acting career, Harris has also dabbled in singing, dancing and hosting a series of award functions. He has hosted the Tony Awards four times and last year's Emmy Awards too.
"With his enviable reputation as a host and showman, we look forward to hosting Mr. Harris for an entertaining and unforgettable evening to recognize his achievements," Hasty Pudding President Tony Oblen said, NY Daily News reports.
Harris' passion for theater and magic led him to direct 'Nothing to Hide,' an unusual magic show created by magicians Derek DelGaudio and Helder Guimarães.
"After seeing Derek and Helder perform their amazing set at the Magic Castle I knew they needed to be seen by a wider audience," Harris said. "My suspicions were right - It broke the Geffen Theatre's box office records in L.A and extended 5 times! I couldn't be more pleased to now have a discerning New York theater audience get to experience Derek and Helder for themselves. I'm positively proud to present this pair of unprecedented prestidigitators...," PlayBill reports.
