Lucy Liu named Artist of the Year

Lucy Liu, acclaimed American actress, producer, director, and philanthropist, has been named the 2016 Harvard University Artist of the Year. The popular actress will be awarded the Harvard Foundation’s prestigious arts medal at the annual Harvard Foundation Award ceremony, Sat., Feb. 20, during the Cultural Rhythms Festival in Sanders Theatre.

“The students and faculty of the Harvard Foundation are delighted to present the distinguished and much-admired television and film star Lucy Liu with the 2016 Artist of the Year award,” said S. Allen Counter, director of the Harvard Foundation. “Our student and faculty committee commended her outstanding contributions to the performing arts and her highly-praised humanitarian work as UNICEF Ambassador and other charitable projects.”

Liu has starred in many popular films, including “Charlie’s Angels,” “Charlie’s Angels: Full Throttle,” “Kill Bill,” and “Chicago.” She currently plays the role of Joan Watson on the acclaimed Sherlock Holmes-inspired television show “Elementary.”

Throughout her career, Liu has worked to make a difference in the lives of others, Counter said. She has worked tirelessly to raise awareness of the plight of women and children in some of the world’s most impoverished countries and the international child trafficking industry. She has actively supported Women for Women, a nonprofit organization that has helped nearly 430,000 marginalized women in countries that are affected by war and conflict. And in 2012, she received the Champion of Peace Award for her “unyielding commitment to promote peace, justice, and human rights.”