For the first time since 2019, the Hasty Pudding Institute hosted their 8th Annual Golden Sphinx Award Ceremony on March 2. The Order of the Golden Sphinx, named for the Pudding’s traditional symbol, “recognizes individuals in the entertainment industry for their extraordinary contributions to the performing arts” and is the Institute’s highest honor. This year, the prestigious award honored a dynamic, powerhouse, married couple: actors Angela Bassett and Courtney B. Vance ’82. Their careers, both as individuals and as a duo, have left an enduring mark on film, television, and theater.
Defined by its avant-garde spirit, nationally-recognized legacy, and Broadway-level professionalism, there is no theater experience quite like the Pudding. As the third oldest theatrical organization in the world, The Hasty Pudding has a storied legacy of honoring figures who have made profound contributions to the arts, and Bassett and Vance are no exception.
Bassett, an honorary Oscar recipient and Golden Globe and Emmy award-winning actress, is renowned for her ground-breaking performances in films such as “Malcolm X,” “Waiting To Exhale,” “How Stella Got Her Groove Back,” “Black Panther,” and “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” for which she received an Academy Award nomination. Vance, who boasts a career similarly filled with 2 Primetime Emmy awards, a Tony award for his performance in “Lucky Guy” on Broadway in 2013, and critically acclaimed roles, is known for his performances in “The Hunt for Red October,” “Lovecraft Country,” “The Adventures of Huck Finn,” and “The People vs. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story.”
Together, the duo, who met at Yale School of Drama, have not only established their individual careers, but have demonstrated the beautiful capacity that resides within the power of collaboration. Together, they own a production company—“Bassett Vance Productions”—where they have worked behind the scenes on numerous television and feature productions.
The celebration was held at the historic Farkas Hall for the first time in the award’s history, allowing undergraduates across the College and Harvard community members to attend. The evening was filled with warmth, banter, and an undeniable sense of admiration for the pair. Notable guests at the ceremony included former Harvard president Claudine Gay, current Harvard president Alan Garber, Black-ish actress and Harvard graduate Yara Shahidi ’22, and an array of family members, friends, guests, and fans of Bassett and Vance, including Bassett’s first ever talent agent.
Previous recipients of the Golden Sphinx Award include Marc Anthony, Derek McLane, Paris Barclay, Daryl Roth, Clive David, David Heyman, and Michael Lynton. The evening began in true Pudding fashion with an extravagant song-and-dance number led by Alex Lim ’26 and Emma Rogers ’25, alongside other current members of the Hasty Pudding Theatricals cast and the Harvard Krokodiloes.
Following this, Andrew Farkas ’82, Graduate Chairman of the Hasty Pudding Institute and a dear friend of Bassett and Vance’s, introduced the iconic pair, joking that it was the “first time that Hollywood royalty skipped the Oscars for the Hasty Pudding Theatricals.” Farkas continued to joke that the two would also be the first couple to receive a “SEGOT:” Sphinx, Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony.
The ceremony kicked off with a highlight reel showcasing Bassett’s and Vance’s most iconic roles and moments from their careers, which was met with a standing ovation from the crowd. Following the montage, Farkas led an engaging question and answer session with the couple, where they reflected on their journeys, craft, and the impact of family on their success.
Vance, ever the storyteller, shared a memorable anecdote, taking us back to his early theater days. He recalled how, when cast in the play “Fences,” he didn’t know the difference between upstage and downstage: “Don’t be ashamed of the fact that you don’t know everything,” he advised. He urged the audience not to quit or give up until you find the thing that brings you joy.
In a particularly sweet moment, Vance shared his admiration for Bassett and her work. “She’s my inspiration,” he said.
Bassett, known for her unwavering grace and talent, reflected on the importance of perseverance in the face of adversity. She spoke of difficulties of representation for artists, offering a powerful message to young performers: “Don’t waste your time with cynicism. Hold onto your wonder.” The humor and warmth emanating from the two as they cracked jokes and reflected on the serendipity of their careers was contagious.
Alongside the award, the HPI presented them with a $50,000 grant for their charity of choice. They chose to direct the award to Heartfelt Education through the Arts, a Los-Angeles based organization that aims to provide arts education opportunities for underserved communities. Farkas highlighted that the Pudding’s philanthropic mission is to further the advancement of arts education worldwide, with the Institute having awarded countless grants to individuals and organizations since its founding.
The main event of the evening was when the couple’s two children, Bronwyn Golden Vance ’28 and Slater Josiah Vance, bestowed them with the physical Golden Sphinx Award. Bassett and Vance, visibly moved, acknowledged their children as the true “manifestation” of their success and legacy.
As the ceremony came to a close, Farkas expressed his gratitude to the Pudding board and everyone who contributed to make the evening a success. The ceremony concluded with a moving homage performance, led by cast member Gabrielle Greene ’27. Alongside the Theatricals cast and Kroks, she delivered an original rendition of Tina Turner’s “Proud Mary,” with lyric changes that alluded to Bassett’s and Vance’s careers. With outrageous costumes, fierce dance breaks, and astounding vocal riffs, it was a truly fitting tribute to two individuals whose careers have been defined by their constant evolution, inspiration, and boundary-pushing work.
Layla Chaaraoui ’26 (laylachaaraoui@college.harvard.edu) and Rania Jones ’27 (rjones@college.harvard.edu) love the song “Proud Mary.”