The Harvard University Hasty Pudding Theatricals honored actor and humanitarian Richard Gere as its 40th “Man of the Year” on Friday night, awarding him the golden Pudding Pot following the traditional burlesque-fashioned roast that featured the actor bumping and grinding with a theatrical dragon and tangoing with a drag queen.
Between bursts of enthusiasm, Gere, at times, appeared uninspired as he tap danced in gold pumps, sang a satirical song written by the Hasty Pudding cast and donned the traditional Pudding bra and wig while receiving the honorary pot.
Calling Gere “an accomplished, well-seasoned, distinguished and mature actor,” the hostesses, Harvard senior Mary Kate Burke and junior Ashley Zalta, said the prestigious award is given yearly to actors who have had lasting effects on the entertainment industry.
Gere jokingly attempted to leave the theater after Zalta said he was old enough to “be my dad two times over.”
Still grumbling about the girls’ potshot about his age, Gere climbed onto the stage where he was grilled about his past film flops, including The Mothman Prophecies, Runaway Bride and Autumn in New York. To make amends for taking on such films, Gere used the gynecology skills he learned from the film Dr. T and the Women to deliver a baby from a cross-dressed Pudding player.
Gere was ridiculed for his middle name-Tiffany – and for being the first man to appear on the cover of Vogue magazine; as a result he was asked to defend his title as a knight in shining armor – a throwback to his 1995 role as Lancelot in First Knight-by wooing a dragon with his dancing skills.
“This is a nightmare,” Gere later said as he slipped on a pair of gold tap shoes to dance across the stage.
The Pudding cast also highlighted a common theme in Gere’s films, calling Pretty Woman, Report to the Commissioner and American Gigolo the “Prostitution Trilogy” as he played a john, a pimp and a gigolo in the films, respectively.
At the end of the roast, Gere received the Pudding Pot and noted the importance of being lighthearted in today’s somber world.
“We’re really all bozos on the bus,” Gere said. “And in this country right now, where the biggest bozo on the bus is actually driving the bus, maybe if we can find some genuine humor in this … it would certainly make me happy.”
Gere kept the tone optimistic as he entered the press conference following the event, where he called Brokeback Mountain was one of the best films of the year.
“I thought Heath [Ledger]’s work was just outstanding,” Gere added. “You were in [Ledger’s character’s] world. There was no acting.”
Gere also spoke briefly on his Buddhist faith and began answering a question about his views on Harvard President Lawrence Summer’s resignation-to which he admitted he knew very little-but was discouraged from commenting by an event representative.
Gere instead discussed his newly acquired Pudding Pot versus his Golden Globe but added that, “I am happy to inform you this is the cheapest piece of tin I’ve ever seen in my life.”
This is the first year the Zero Arrow Street Theater housed the event since the Hasty Pudding building, which has been the Theatricals’ venue since 1888, is under renovation, according to an event press release.
Last week, actress Halle Berry was honored as the Theatrical’s 56th the “Woman of the Year.”
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