Some say that hosting the Oscars is a thankless job, with others even going as far as to say it's one of the worst gigs in Hollywood. Despite this, that hasn't stopped many great comedians, singers, and more of Hollywood's best and brightest from taking on the challenge of ring-leading the Academy Awards.
There are many approaches one can take to successfully hosting the Oscars. Usually, a standup routine is done at the top of the show, poking fun at the movies of the year. Sometimes, the host will do a big opening number, singing and dancing the night away. A brave few even try their hand at doing sketches to kick off the festivities. These hosts did whatever it took to make the night memorable.
10 Jimmy Kimmel Is A Natural
The most memorable thing to come out of Jimmy Kimmel's two tenures as host was the infamous Best Picture mixup in 2017 when Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway accidentally announced La La Land as the Best Picture winner when Moonlight had actually won. It's gone down as one of the wildest moments in Academy Award history, cementing Kimmel's legacy.
That won't stop him from giving it another go, though. The host of Jimmy Kimmel Live will host the Oscars for a third time this year on March 12th. His ability to handle such a baffling situation and keep a light atmosphere with his jokes throughout the show make him an underrated host of all time.
9 Jon Stewart Did A Good Dead
While his first stint as host in 2006 didn't leave a great impact on audiences, his second stint two years later made up for it. The longtime host of The Daily Show is known for his snarky political comedy, which can be a hit or miss with Oscar audiences even though most people use the stage to express their opinions.
Perhaps one of the kindest moments in recent Academy memory comes from Stewart's tenure. Marketa Irglová, who had won Best Original Song for the film Once, left the stage after being played off during her speech. Stewart dragged her back on stage and forced the producers to let her finish her speech. Stewart will always be remembered as a good guy host.
8 Chris Rock Wasn't Afraid To Hold Back
The Oscars hosting gig is incredibly difficult to pull off, and Chris Rock experienced that firsthand. Like many, he's hosted the show more than once, with stints as host in 2005 and 2016. His 2005 hosting duties were less than memorable, with very hit-or-miss jokes.
His 2016 hosting duties are looked upon more favorably, as he was the face of a new era for the Academy following the #OscarsSoWhite year when there were no POC nominees. He wasn't afraid to joke at the Academy's expense, which was favorable to a whole new audience. However, he'll always be remembered for last year's show when Will Smith slapped him after making a joke about Will's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
7 Ellen DeGeneres Had One Of The Most Viral Moments Ever
It's been a steep fall from grace for Ellen DeGeneres, who was once known for being one of the kindest people in Hollywood. This was reflected in her two stints as Oscars host in 2007 and 2014, where she told more lighthearted jokes and did various bits that kept everyone's spirits up.
She'll perhaps be remembered most for the selfie she took with Jennifer Lawrence, Bradley Cooper, Meryl Streep, Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie, and others. The picture went viral on Twitter, and became the most retweeted picture ever at the time. It's hard to see her ever putting the host hat back on, but she was undoubtedly great at it.
6 Steve Martin Is Very Charming
Steve Martin is one of the most beloved comedians of the last 50 years, which makes it no surprise that he's hosted the Oscars on three separate occasions. While his shared duties with Alec Baldwin in 2010 were awkward and unmemorable, his solo runs in 2001 and 2003 were much better.
His constant stream of jokes and bits, with virtually every one of them landing with the audience, were funny and memorable. He brought a comedic charm severely lacking in other years, including those with otherwise well-established comedians.
5 Hugh Jackman Proved There's More To Hosting Than Jokes
In 2009, the Academy went in a different direction for the emcee duties and tapped Hugh Jackman to headline the show. The Logan star isn't known for his comedic chops, but the consummate showman has a strong background in musical theater and film. Despite this, he was a near-perfect fit for the role.
He opened the show with a musical number about the year's movies, with the running joke that the recession meant he had to use homemade props. The number, which also included a great joke about how he hadn't seen The Reader, was a massive hit, and there's no doubt that the door is wide open should he ever choose to return.
4 Johnny Carson Was Born To Host
Often considered the king of late-night television, the longtime Tonight Show host had a respectable run as the face of the Oscars, having hosted the show from 1979-1982, and one more time in 1984. Carson was known for his ability to connect to guests and his comedic judgment, which translated well to the stage.
When Carson was hosting the Oscars, the audience in the theater and the viewers at home felt right at home with him. It's an honor to be asked even once, but to be asked to come back four more times means you're doing something right.
3 Whoopi Goldberg Made History As Host
Since the Oscars tend to look towards standup comics to host, the job often goes to white men. Enter Whoopi Goldberg, who, in 1994, made history as the first Black woman to host the show. Goldberg brought everything she could, from witty jokes, flashy costumes, and a charisma that was felt across the whole room.
She was so good at it that she was asked back three more times, hosting in 1996, 1999, and 2002. That 2002 show was especially challenging as it was the first Oscars after 9/11, and Goldberg was phenomenal in balancing comedy with reflection.
2 Billy Crystal Is Mr. Oscar
It wouldn't be the Academy Awards without the beloved Billy Crystal, one of the most well-known and memorable Oscar hosts ever. Crystal hosted the awards nine times between 1990 and 2012, and always found a clever way to connect his jokes with the movies of the year.
One of the most famous instances of this was when he hosted in 1992 and made his entrance on stage just like Hannibal Lector, poking fun at Anthony Hopkins' film The Silence of the Lambs, which had come out the year before. His bits like this make him one of the most memorable hosts ever.
1 Nobody Did It Like Bob Hope
No record is truly untouchable, but it's pretty hard to imagine that anybody will top Bob Hope's record for times hosting the Oscars. The longtime comedian and professional partner to Bing Crosby hosted the Academy Awards a whopping 19 times between 1940 and 1978.
It eventually became Hope's job to lose, as his wittiness and charm were enough to keep welcoming him back every year. He has also been the host of historical shows, including the first-ever televised show in 1953 and the first in color in 1966.