Jimmy Kimmel will return to host the 95th Oscars, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences announced Monday, marking the late-night talk show fixture’s third time hosting the ceremony.
Kimmel also hosted the Oscars in 2017 and 2018. The 2017 show was punctuated by the much-publicized envelope mix-up that led to “La La Land” being announced as the best picture winner, even though the prize was actually won by “Moonlight.” Kimmel was credited with calmly helping to restore calm to the ceremony after the flub, and allowing the “Moonlight” producers to have their moment on stage.
“Being invited to host the Oscars for a third time is either a great honor or a trap. Either way, I am grateful to the Academy for asking me so quickly after everyone good said no,” Kimmel said in a statement.
Kimmel is the host and executive producer of ABC’s “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and recently signed a three-year contract extension. He is one of the longest-running talk show hosts in American television history.
“We’re super thrilled to have Jimmy score his hat trick on this global stage. We know he will be funny and ready for anything,” Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirschner, executive producers of the Academy Awards show, said in a statement.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said Kimmel is the perfect host for the Oscars.
“His love of movies, live TV expertise, and ability to connect with our global audiences will create an unforgettable experience for our millions of viewers worldwide,” Kramer and Yang said in a statement.
“With Kimmel, Weiss and Kirshner’s fresh perspective and masterful guidance, the Oscars will celebrate its rich 95-year history, the collaborative nature of moviemaking, and our diverse, dynamic and deeply creative community of filmmakers.”
Craig Erwich, president of ABC Entertainment, Hulu & Disney Branded Television Streaming Originals said having Kimmel return to host The Oscars is a dream come true.
“As we see every night on his own show, Jimmy can handle anything with both heart and humor, and we know that he will deliver the laughs and celebratory moments that define the Oscars,” Erwich said. “We love being the home of Hollywood’s biggest night and can’t wait to toast the success of this year*s cinema and storytelling.”
The 95th Oscars will be at the Dolby Theatre at the Ovation Hollywood complex.
