CAMBRIDGE, Mass. — Helen Mirren has been honored as woman of the year by Harvard University’s Hasty Pudding Theatricals, twerking as part of the traditional spoof roast on Thursday.

Mirren at first tried to sign the word “twerk,” then let slip a curse word and danced. She said she’s tried to twerk privately in her bedroom and having to do it in public was humiliating.

She also joked that being honored by Prince Charles as Dame of the British Empire at Buckingham Palace didn’t come anywhere close to getting the ceremonial Hasting Pudding pot at Harvard. The festivities also included a parade.

Mirren, 68, won the 2007 best actress Oscar for her role as Queen Elizabeth II in “The Queen” and has been nominated on three other occasions. She also appeared in “Age of Consent, “Gosford Park” and “The Madness of King George.”

She said she’d still like to play the powerful 18th century Russian monarch, Catherine The Great.

Mirren said she’s rooting for “12 Years A Slave” at this year’s Oscars.

Hasty Pudding Theatricals is America’s oldest undergraduate drama troupe. It annually honors performers who have made a lasting and impressive contribution to entertainment. Emmy Award-winning actor Neil Patrick Harris will be honored as man of the year Feb. 7.

Last year’s winners were Marion Cotillard and Kiefer Sutherland.


Only subscribers are eligible to post comments. Please subscribe or login first for digital access. Here’s why.

Use the form below to reset your password. When you've submitted your account email, we will send an email with a reset code.