Award-winning actor and musician Ben Platt took a quick jab at US president Donald Trump while being honoured by Harvard University’s famed Hasty Pudding theatrical troupe as its 2020 Man of the Year.
Students dressed in drag and elaborate costumes bestowed the golden pudding pot – and a sparkly bra – on Platt, but not before Hasty Pudding members poked fun at his various roles in theatre, television and film.
Platt sang Nina Simone’s classic Feeling Good at the event in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and later gave a political speech about whether a hot dog is also a sandwich.
It was during this speech that Platt proclaimed “anyone but Trump 2020”, as the celebratory roast neared its end.
“In this day and age, I feel like we should be really leaning towards connection and togetherness,” Platt quipped, as he concluded that a hot dog should be considered a sandwich.
The 26-year-old is the youngest recipient of the award in its 54-year history, handed out annually by the troupe that dates to the late 18th century.
The troupe said Platt was selected because of his “incredible impact on Broadway and Hollywood at such a young age”.
“I’m very honoured to be on this list of men and I hope to do good by it in the future,” Platt said.
Former winners of the Man of the Year include Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro and Harrison Ford. Last year’s Man of the Year was Milo Ventimiglia.
Hasty Pudding’s 2020 Woman of the Year, Elizabeth Banks, was honoured last week.
Platt won a Tony in 2017 for Dear Evan Hansen.
He is also known for his role as Benji Applebaum in the films Pitch Perfect and Pitch Perfect 2.
Platt is also currently filming the second season of the Netflix series The Politician, which earned him a Golden Globe nomination last year.
He stars in the film Run This Town, which premiered at last year’s SXSW Film Festival and will be released this spring.
Platt will also star in the film adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim musical Merrily We Roll Along.
Also a musician, Platt’s debut album Sing To Me Instead was released last year.
The original Broadway cast recording of Dear Evan Hansen also took home the Grammy for best musical theatre album and the original company won a Daytime Emmy for a performance on the Today show.
Members of the troupe teased Platt about the missing Academy Award that would otherwise have him join the elite squad of EGOT winners.
Platt would be the youngest person to achieve this prestigious accomplishment if he were to win an Oscar.
“We’ll meet in a couple years,” Platt joked to the member, who played his fictitious Oscar.
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