Timberlake is Hasty’s man

The Hasty Pudding Theatricals of Harvard University has chosen Justin Timberlake as its 2010 Man of the Year.

Timberlake is a pop-R&B singer, songwriter, actor, and producer who is widely considered one of pop culture’s most influential entertainers. He came to fame as a member of the pop group ’N Sync, and followed that with a successful solo career. He has gone on to win six Grammy Awards and two Emmy Awards.

The award festivities will take place on Feb. 5. The producers of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals, Kelly Conley ’11 and Steve Rola ’11, will roast the honoree and present him with a Pudding Pot at 8 p.m. in the New College Theatre, prior to the opening night performance of the Hasty Pudding’s 162nd production, “Commie Dearest.” A press conference will be held immediately after the roast at 8:30 p.m.

Actress Anne Hathaway already was announced as recipient of the 2010 Woman of the Year award.

The Man and Woman of the Year awards are presented annually to performers who have made an impressive contribution to entertainment. The Man of the Year award was established in 1963. Past recipients include Clint Eastwood, Tom Cruise, Robert De Niro, Steven Spielberg, Harrison Ford, Anthony Hopkins, Bruce Willis, and, last year, James Franco. Established in 1951, the Woman of the Year award has been granted to many notable and talented entertainers, including Meryl Streep, Katharine Hepburn, Julia Roberts, Jodie Foster, Elizabeth Taylor, and, most recently, Renée Zellweger.

After going solo, Timberlake in 2002 released his debut album, “Justified,” which has sold more than 8 million copies. His second solo album, “FutureSex/LoveSounds,” was released in 2006 and produced four number one singles, including “SexyBack,” “My Love,” “What Goes Around …/… Comes Around,” and “Summer Love.” He is the first artist in Nielsen Top 40 history to chart four No. 1 hits from one album. He was the chief songwriter and producer on both albums, which have sold more than 17 million copies. He also has written and produced songs for such artists as Madonna, Reba McEntire, the Black Eyed Peas, Rihanna, and 50 Cent.

Timberlake also embarked on a successful career in film and television as an actor and producer. In 2007, he received rave reviews for his performance in Universal’s crime drama “Alpha Dog.” He has also starred in “Black Snake Moan,” “Southland Tales,” “The Love Guru,” and “The Open Road,” and has lent his voice to DreamWorks’ “Shrek the Third.” A two-time host of “Saturday Night Live,” he won the Emmy Award for Best Guest Actor in a Comedy Series in 2009, while his sketches have become viral video sensations, including the Emmy Award-winning “D*ck in a Box.” Upcoming work includes the David Fincher-directed and Aaron Sorkin-penned “The Social Network,” set at Harvard University, “Shrek Forever After,” and “Yogi Bear.”

To purchase tickets to “Commie Dearest,” contact the New College Theatre box office at 617.495.5205. The show opens on Feb. 5 and continues in Cambridge until March 15. The show runs Wednesdays through Fridays at 8 p.m., Saturdays at 4 and 8 p.m., and Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. The company then travels to New York to perform at Hunter College’s Kaye Playhouse on March 12 and 13 at 8 p.m. The tour continues to the Hamilton City Hall in Bermuda for performances on March 18–20 at 8 p.m.

For more information about the events, please contact the Hasty Pudding Theatricals’ press manager, D.J. Smolinsky ’11. He can be reached at 516.729.7858 or by e-mail at press@hastypudding.org.