CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Award-winning actor and bestselling writer Bob Odenkirk was feted Thursday as 2023 Man of the 12 months by Harvard College’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals, which included a roast throughout which he donned a pink costume over his garments.
Odenkirk, finest often known as shady lawyer Saul Goodman on “Breaking Dangerous” and “Higher Name Saul,” acquired his Pudding Pot award on the celebratory roast forward of a preview of Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ 174th manufacturing, “COSMIC RELIEF!”
“I’m thrilled and shocked and I’m knocked out by what’s occurring at present,” Odenkirk stated following the roast. “It’s been enjoyable assembly all these college students. It’s a loopy honor.”
Hasty Pudding Theatricals, which dates to 1844 and calls itself the third-oldest theater group on this planet, has handed out a Man of the 12 months Award since 1967. Final yr’s recipient was Jason Bateman, and former honorees embrace Bob Hope, Dustin Hoffman and Sean Connery.
The awards are given out to individuals who have made lasting and spectacular contributions to the world of leisure.
In the course of the 20-minute roast, Odenkirk was requested to don a pink costume over his garments.
“It matches. It’s good. It makes me look sharp,” he stated. “And I just like the little bears.”
The coed presenters additionally referenced lots of his previous roles, together with going again to his early years writing for Saturday Night time Dwell. In addition they repeatedly poked enjoyable at his thinning hair.
“I’ve tried every little thing. Dietary supplements. Plugs. Satan worship,” he quipped throughout a sketch wherein he learn cue playing cards held up by college students on stage.
He additionally learn a comedically disjointed acceptance speech.
“As I’ve acknowledged repeatedly all through this speech, comedy and appearing go hand in hand like a pendulum swinging up and down like a clock that’s damaged however seems to work,” he stated.
On the finish of the occasion, he was requested to press his fingers right into a tray of butter — ala The Hollywood Stroll of Fame — as a part of new advert marketing campaign “Butter Name Saul.” Odenkirk complied and was handed his pudding pot.
Throughout a information convention after the occasion, Odenkirk stated he was wanting ahead to extra comedic roles sooner or later.
“I like doing sketch comedy a lot,” he stated.
Actress Jennifer Coolidge has been named Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ 2023 Lady of the 12 months. She shall be honored at a separate occasion on Saturday.
Odenkirk reprised his “Breaking Dangerous” position of Saul Goodman, aka Jimmy McGill, in “Higher Name Saul,” which earned him three Critics Selection TV awards and a number of Emmy, Golden Globe, and SAG Award nominations.
He’s additionally the star and govt producer of “Fortunate Hank,” tailored from the novel “Straight Man” by Pulitzer Prize-winning writer Richard Russo, which is scheduled to premier on AMC and AMC+ on March 19.
Different appearing credit embrace “No person,” “Mr. Present with Bob and David” and “Girlfriend’s Day.”
He acquired two Emmy Awards for his comedic writing for “Saturday Night time Dwell” in 1989 and for “The Ben Stiller Present” in 1993.
In 2013 Odenkirk co-wrote The New York Instances bestseller “Hollywood Stated No!,” a group of unproduced screenplays, and his third guide launched in March 2022, a memoir entitled “Comedy Comedy Comedy Drama,” went to No. 2 on The New York Instances bestseller checklist.
