Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ 59th Man of the Year recipient, Michael Keaton, reprised his role as Batman on Friday night in Harvard’s Farkas Hall to try to capture an evasive foe — an Academy Award.
“Tonight you’ll be facing your greatest opponent … a villain you’ve never been able to capture,” Hasty Pudding producer Cate Schwarz said, poking fun at Keaton’s lack of Oscar wins before handing him a sword to fight off a gold statue.
Keaton, who was roasted as part of Hasty’s Man of the Year tradition, has starred in movies such as “Beetlejuice,” “Spotlight,” and “Spider-Man: Homecoming.” Despite not winning an Oscar, his performance in the film “Birdman” earned him a nomination for Best Actor and a Golden Globe.
Holding his Pudding Pot, Keaton receives kisses from Natalie Krevitt (left) ’26 and Cameron Miller ’26.
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Keaton installs his name on the plaque in Farkas Hall.
Niles Singer/Harvard Staff Photographer
Downgraded from his original role in “The Founder” to an employee, Keaton hands over a burger.
Veasey Conway/Harvard Staff Photographer
Prior to his roast, Keaton was serenaded by the Radcliffe Pitches.
Niles Singer/Harvard Staff Photographer
Keaton also starred as McDonald’s entrepreneur Ray Kroc — which the theatricals spoofed by having Keaton serve up a staggering five-patty burger on stage.
“You’ve been in this glitzy business for so long, you probably don’t even remember what it’s like to have a minimum-wage job,” Schwarz said. “So that’s why tonight, we’re creating the sequel to ‘The Founder’: ‘The Employee.’”
Keaton took the jokes in stride and was beaming by the end of the evening.
“It’s great to be around young people,” he said. “Trust me when I tell you, it’s so much more fun than old people, and based on all these students I met today, I’m ridiculously encouraged about this country.”
Keaton added that this was actually the second time he was invited to be the Man of the Year — he was asked more than 30 years ago to accept the award but declined because of a conflict filming a movie. That, he added, was a decision he regretted.
“For over 35 years they didn’t invite me again,” he said. “Not too hasty.”
Hasty Pudding will honor the 2026 Woman of the Year, Rose Byrne, with a roast on Friday.