American actor Jason Segel, popular for his role in television sitcom "How I Met Your Mother", has been named Hasty Pudding Theatricals' 2012 Man of the Year.

Segel, who plays "Marshall" on the sitcom, most recently acted in "The Muppets", which he also directed and wrote the screenplay for.

"I admire how much he has been able to accomplish across comedy, writing, songwriting, film, and television. He has had tremendous success and has delighted audiences with his humor and talent, and we cannot wait to honor him," said Marta Bralic, the manager for the 2012 Man and Woman of the Year Awards, was quoted as saying in the Harvard Crimson.

Segel has also starred in "I Love You Man", "Bad Teacher'", "Forgetting Sarah Marshall" and "Knocked Up".

Jason Segel
He is open about his being Jew. Reuters
Jason Segel
Jason Segel Reuters
Jason Segel
Actor Segel sits in the audience and listens as Hasty Pudding Theatricals cast members tease him while he is honoured as the "Hasty Pudding Theatricals Man of the Year" at Harvard University Reuters
Jason Segel
His biggest influences as an actor are Robert De Niro and James Dean. Reuters