Best Academy Award Hosts of All Time

Not all Oscar hosts are created equal.

Best Academy Award Hosts of All Time

The Oscars have come a long way to become the most coveted award in Hollywood. The first Academy Awards show was a small event at a private dinner party in 1929. That awards presentation took five minutes, and the press coverage consisted of one photo and two paragraphs.

But the Academy was on to something, and the party grew into one of the largest television events, now seen by more than a billion people worldwide each year. Over the years, there have been more than 70 hosts — several of which have hosted more than once. And some shows had no host at all.

Of course, there are Oscar hosts that do better than others. Most people tend to agree that charm and humor make successful hosts. While poking fun at the industry makes for an entertaining event, the most popular hosts have been kind. These are the best Academy Award hosts of all time.

30. David Letterman

Number of times hosted: 1

First time hosting: March 27, 1995 (Shrine Auditorium)

Bottom Line: David Letterman

Dave Letterman’s Oscar performance may be best known for his "Oprah, Uma, Uma, Oprah. Have you kids met Keanu?" joke. While this one fell flat, he did have some good lines.

After one commercial break, he quipped about Lizzie Gardiner’s dress, which was made of American Express cards: "Bad news, ladies and gentlemen: While we were away, Lizzie Gardiner's dress expired."

He also poked fun at a fledgling animation company, "DreamWorks SKG. Not to be confused with DreamWorks ETC — that’s a place in the Valley where you can buy waterbeds."

Perhaps this one was a bit shortsighted.

29. Neil Patrick Harris

Number of times hosted: 1

First time hosting: Feb. 22, 2015 (Dolby Theatre)

Bottom Line: Neil Patrick Harris

Neil Patrick Harris may have surprised the audience with his considerable song and dance talents, but some of his nonstop jokes and puns fell flat, such as his "Birdman" tribute while wearing only his Jockeys.

He addressed the lack of diversity among the nominees, saying it was a celebration of Hollywood’s "best and whitest – I mean brightest."

Of 2014’s famous flub, he quipped, "Benedict Cumberbatch: It’s not only the most awesome name in show business. It’s also the sound you get when you ask John Travolta to pronounce 'Ben Affleck.'"

28. Anne Hathaway

Number of times hosted: 1

First time hosting: Feb. 27, 2011 (Kodak Theatre)

Bottom Line: Anne Hathaway

Co-hosting with James Franco, Anne Hathaway played up her youth, responding to a compliment from Franco with, "You look very appealing to a younger demographic as well."

She then pointed out her mom in the audience who was quick to play her part: "Annie, honey, stand up straight. Mr. Speilberg’s here."

Entertainment Weekly liked the job Hathaway and Franco did, calling the pair "funny, poised, relaxed, and smart."

"Their combination of respect and informality struck the right tone for the night, a happily surprising production that had its share of fine moments both planned and ad-libbed."

27. Jane Fonda

Number of times hosted: 2

First time hosting: March 28, 1977 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Last time hosting: March 24, 1986 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Bottom Line: Jane Fonda

In 1977, Jane Fonda said, "I’ve been asked to announce that Sylvester Stallone has asked that the Oscar-winning picture this year be determined by a 10-round bout in the parking lot."

Perhaps not happy with how the joke landed, she quickly followed up with, "He didn’t really say that. It’s what’s written up there."

In 1986, Fonda shared hosting duties with Alan Alda and Robin Williams. In one of the night’s highlights, Fonda introduced Cher, who hinted at the wow factor of the singer/actress’ "dress."

26. Alan Alda

Number of times hosted: 1

First time hosting: March 24, 1986 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Bottom Line: Alan Alda

Fresh off the finale of the hit television series "M*A*S*H," Alan Alda shared hosting duties with Jane Fonda and Robin Williams. Not surprisingly, Williams stole the laughs in the opening monologue with his impressions as a "translator," but as the opening continued, Alda demonstrated he could carry a laugh on his own.

To reduce the overall time, he and Fonda delivered a blueprint acceptance speech, taking turns thanking everyone from family members and agents to minor characters in one’s life. Alda’s addition of an "aerobic-ist" was a direct jab at Fonda’s latest endeavor, home exercise videos.

25. Walter Matthau

Number of times hosted: 2

First time hosting: March 29, 1976 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Last time hosting: April 11, 1983 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Bottom Line: Walter Matthau

Walter Matthau co-hosted the 1976 Oscars with Robert Shaw, George Segal, Goldie Hawn and Gene Kelly.

His opening monologue joked that he was meant to do the opening song and dance number. That changed, he said when he "came down with a severe case of panic," calling legendary hoofer Ray Bolger his understudy.

In 1983, it was clear that an opening song and dance number wasn’t really his thing, but he gave it a good try.

24. Alec Baldwin

Number of times hosted: 1

First time hosting: March 7, 2010 (Kodak Theatre)

Bottom Line: Alec Baldwin

Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin in 3D glasses

Alec Baldwin lacked a bit of the finesse of his co-host Steve Martin, but Baldwin played his role well, as the hosts bantered during the opening.

The two told jokes together, alternating lines, including one aimed at a frequent nominee: "Ballots are sent out to 6,000 members of the academy," Baldwin went on. "And then, no matter what, they nominate Meryl Streep."

While Baldwin took some jabs, he also got some in himself, commenting to Martin that "they just don’t give Oscars to standup comedians, like anyone has to tell you that.”

23. Liza Minelli

Number of times hosted: 1

First time hosting: April 11, 1983 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Bottom Line: Liza Minelli

Acting as co-host, with Richard Pryor, Walter Matthau and Dudley Moore, Liza Minelli stole the opening number as she showed off her signature song and dance abilities. Noting the imbalance, she started off her first segment explaining that Pryor, Moore and Matthau were "still rehearing our opening number."

Starstruck at meeting German actress Luise Rainer later in the evening, she commented, "Isn’t it thrilling seeing Miss Rainer back here? You know something, Mr. [Jack] Valenti was right. If they remade 'The Good Earth' now, they couldn’t recreate it again in the back lot. They’d have to do it in Yugoslavia or something.”

22. Richard Pryor

Number of times hosted: 2

First time hosting: March 28, 1977 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Last time hosting: April 11, 1983 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Bottom Line: Richard Pryor

In 1977, Richard Pryor co-hosted with Jane Fonda, Warren Beatty and Ellen Burstyn. Pryor made a point while opening the show in a halting voice, "I’m here tonight to explain. Why. No black people will ever. Be nominated. For anything. … We’re also going to stop entertaining. That will show you. …We are quitting. Then see who sings and dances for you. You will have to listen to Laurence Welk forever."

In 1983’s awkward song and dance opening, Pryor at least made an effort to join in the song and dance number. Perhaps Minelli was right and the men just needed more practice.

21. Chevy Chase

Number of times hosted: 2

First time hosting: March 30, 1987 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Last time hosting: April 11, 1988 (Shrine Auditorium)

Bottom Line: Chevy Chase

By 1987, the Academy Awards were known to drag on for hours, prompting efforts to encourage shorter speeches. As host, Chevy Chase was tasked with providing the details.

He explained that various tones would indicate when awardees should wrap up. Later in the show, the point was made more dramatically when he gave a rambling speech which was abruptly cut off as he dropped to the floor.

Chase began his 1988 stint with the off-putting, "Good evening, Hollywood phonies," setting the tone for a night that the Los Angeles Times called "parched, drab and leaden."

20. Robin Williams

Number of times hosted: 1

First time hosting: March 24, 1986 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Bottom Line: Robin Williams

In 1986, Robin Williams opened the show by introducing representatives from Price Waterhouse who were carefully guarding the suitcases of sealed envelopes that would be opened by presenters.

After trying unsuccessfully to convince them to open and read them immediately, he apologized to the viewing audience, "I gave it my best shot. I’m afraid we have to do the show."

His "translation" services as Alan Alda and Jane Fonda opened the show greeting viewers of multiple nationalities started the show off with a laugh.

19. Chris Rock

Number of times hosted: 2

First time hosting: Feb. 27, 2005 (Kodak Theatre)

Last time hosting: Feb. 28, 2016 (Dolby Theatre)

Bottom Line: Chris Rock

Like several other hosts, Chris Rock hit some sour notes in his first Oscar event. His 2005 monologue dissed young popular actors as not being "real stars."

In 2016, he addressed racism in Hollywood head-on, calling the show the "White People’s Choice Awards," and continued to call out inequities throughout the night. On a lighter note, he invited Girl Scouts into the theater to sell cookies. His calling out actors, telling them to dig in their pockets for cash made entertaining viewing as ravenous stars climbed over each other to get their favorite cookie flavors.

Of course, getting slapped by Will Smith as a presenter in 2022 made it so that we'll likely never see Rock hosting the awards show again.

18. James Stewart

Number of times hosted: 2

First time hosting: March 7, 1946 (Grauman’s Chinese Theater)

Last time hosting: March 26, 1958 (Pantages Theatre)

Bottom Line: James Stewart

The 1946 award ceremony celebrated Hollywood and also a return to glamour after World War II. An end to rationing meant statuettes were once again gold rather than plaster.

For the 1958 ceremony (the first one broadcast live), Stewart shared hosting duties with Bob Hope, Rosalind Russell, David Niven, Jack Lemmon and Donald Duck.

When Stewart announced presenter Lana Turner, she was reluctant to let him offstage. Denying that she was nervous, she said, "It’s just that I like you." The man famous for being happily married replied, "Well, now I’m nervous."

17. Jerry Lewis

Number of times hosted: 3

First time hosting: March 21, 1956 (Pantages Theatre)

Last time hosting: April 6, 1959 (Pantages Theatre)

Bottom Line: Jerry Lewis

The 1956 and 1957 Oscars were bicoastal ceremonies with Jerry Lewis in California and Claudette Colbert (1956) and Celeste Holm (1957) in New York.

In his 1957 monologue, Lewis talked about recent trends in pictures’ costs: "War and Peace cost nine million dollars – that’s more than a real war costs."

Lewis hosted solo in 1959. This last ceremony was notable for its brevity. Lewis was left with 20 minutes to fill when the awards ended early. He did so by calling stars on stage and making them dance.

16. Carol Burnett

Number of times hosted: 1

First time hosting: March 27, 1973 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Bottom Line: Carol Burnett

Carol Burnett co-hosted with Michael Caine, Rock Hudson and Charlton Heston, who arrived late due to a flat tire. With Heston absent, Clint Eastwood opened the show, using prompt cards referencing Heston’s iconic role as Moses in "The Ten Commandments."

Burnett couldn’t resist adding this to her commentary when introducing Heston later, saying, "He’s a man who can do everything. In one short period of time, he led his people out of Egypt, painted the Sistine Chapel and was elected president of the Screen Actors Guild. He also learned how to make a hell of an entrance."

15. Goldie Hawn

Number of times hosted: 2

First time hosting: March 29, 1976 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Last time hosting: March 30, 1987 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Bottom Line: Goldie Hawn

In 1976, Hawn co-hosted with Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, George Segal and Gene Kelly. While she played the dumb blonde in many of her onscreen moments with George Segal, her comment on the editing process was a sharp one: "It means some guy slaps two pieces of film together, and Warren Beatty gets all the closeups."

In 1987, she was back with first-time co-hosts Chevy Chase and Paul Hogan. The chemistry between her and Chase was obvious, even as he quizzed her on how it felt to win an Oscar, forcing her to admit that she was asleep in London when it happened.

14. Sammy Davis Jr.

Number of times hosted: 2

First time hosting: April 10, 1972 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Last time hosting: April 8, 1975 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Bottom Line: Sammy Davis Jr.

In 1972, Sammy Davis Jr. shared hosting duties with Jack Lemmon, Helen Hayes and Alan King. The first African-American to host the award show, he addressed this fact head on saying, "Tonight, the Academy is honoring two films about my people, 'Shaft' and 'Fiddler on the Roof.'

In 1975, he returned to host with Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope and Shirley MacLaine. In his opening segment, Davis again pointed out classism, "This has got to be the last game of the World Series, The Kentucky Derby, the Super Bowl, and of course my own family heirloom, the Davis Cup."

Pausing for the reaction, he said, "If you cats don’t laugh, then nobody gonna know it ain’t true."

13. Jon Stewart

Number of times hosted: 2

First time hosting: March 5, 2006 (Kodak Theatre)

Last time hosting: Feb. 24, 2008 (Kodak Theatre)

Bottom Line: Jon Stewart

Reviews were lukewarm for Jon Stewart’s first hosting performance, but in 2008, his jokes were better received. He riffed on the recently ended writer’s strike, "I'm happy to say the fight is over — so tonight, welcome to the make-up sex."

He also touched on the presidential election: "Generally, when you see a woman or a Black president, it means an asteroid is about to hit the Statue of Liberty."

He got credit for a gracious gesture when Marketa Irglova was cut off before starting her acceptance speech, and he invited her back to have her moment.

12. Paul Hogan

Number of times hosted: 1

First time hosting: March 30, 1987 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Bottom Line: Paul Hogan

Co-hosting with Chevy Chase and Goldie Hawn, Paul Hogan opened the show with a comment on how long it went on for those viewing at home. He urged recipients to adhere to the three Gs: "Be gracious, be grateful, get off."

He also told them to not be too humble. "If you really feel you don’t deserve an Academy Award, just give us a wave from your seat." His final instruction to nominees was to give the audience a show – cry or otherwise show emotion when they lost.

The Hollywood Reporter praised his performance, saying, "His time was all too brief."

11. Frank Sinatra

Number of times hosted: 2

First time hosting: April 8, 1963 (Santa Monica Civic Auditorium)

Last time hosting: April 8, 1975 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Bottom Line: Frank Sinatra

Frank Sinatra almost didn’t host the award ceremony in 1963. He forgot his parking sticker, and security turned him away, forcing him to find his own parking spot before rushing to the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium.

He poked fun at Hollywood producers, citing Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa," and hinting that they don’t know greatness when they see it: "You know, Leonardo, baby, I like it, I really like it."

In 1975, he took a shot at Dustin Hoffman who had criticized the Academy, insisting that "it is not an obscene evening, it is not garish, and it is not embarrassing."

10. Jimmy Kimmel

Number of times hosted: 2

First time hosting: Feb. 26, 2017 (Dolby Theatre)

Last time hosting: March 4, 2018 (Dolby Theatre)

Bottom Line: Jimmy Kimmel

The 2017 awards may be best known by the Best Picture award envelope mix-up, but some fans will forever remember a personal touch. Jimmy Kimmel invited tourists into the theater and introduced some of them to stars sitting nearby. Other tourists walked about starstruck, taking cellphone photos.

Hearing that one couple was engaged, Kimmel offered Denzel Washington as best man. Instead, the star "married" them.

Kimmel was invited back the next year and addressed the mix-up right away: "This year, when you hear your name called, don't get up right away. Give us a minute. We don't want another thing."

9. Steve Martin

Number of times hosted: 3

First time hosting: March 23, 2001 (Shrine Auditorium)

Last time hosting: March 7, 2010 (Kodak Theatre)

Bottom Line: Steve Martin

For funnyman Steve Martin, no one was off limits, even himself. In 2001, he opened the show saying, "Hosting is like making love to a beautiful woman. It’s something I only get to do when Billy Crystal is out of town."

In 2010’s monologue, he addressed Meryl Streep’s impressive nomination record: "Or as I like to think of it, most losses." The 12-time nominated, twice-awarded actress took it in stride, laughing as the audience groaned.

Martin also poked fun at his own advancing age. When introducing Amanda Seyfried and Miley Cyrus, he referred to them as "two young actresses who have no idea who we are."

8. David Niven

Number of times hosted: 3

First time hosting: March 26, 1958 (Pantages Theatre)

Last time hosting: April 2, 1974 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Bottom Line: David Niven

David Niven shared hosting duties for the first live Oscar broadcast in 1958 ceremony with Bob Hope, Rosalind Russell, James Stewart, Jack Lemmon and Donald Duck.

In 1959, Niven became the first host to be nominated for an Academy Award while hosting (for his leading role in "Separate Tables") and remains the only one to win in the same year.

In 1974, Niven not only kept his composure when a streaker ran across the stage behind him, but he also joked about it. "It’s fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings."

7. Jack Lemmon

Number of times hosted: 4

First time hosting: March 26, 1958 (Pantages Theatre)

Last time hosting: March 25, 1985 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Bottom Line: Jack Lemmon

Jack Lemmon said that 1964 would "go down in history as the year that the movies quit smoking." He described fidgety actors who wouldn’t know what to do with their hands and predicted that in future scenes when an actor hands an actress a cigarette, the audience reaction will be "He’s trying to kill her!"

In 1985 he was the sole host and was particularly gracious in his introductions, especially with Laurence Olivier, of whom he said, "This man has a personal strength and courage that equal his professional skill and daring. If it seems that I’ve made this presenter a figure right off Mt. Olympus, I apologize for the understatement."

6. Hugh Jackman

Number of times hosted: 1

First time hosting: Feb. 22, 2009 (Kodak Theatre)

Bottom Line: Hugh Jackman

Hugh Jackman showed Hollywood that he is a true showman, surprising those who only knew him as Wolverine with his singing and dancing talent.

The star of "Australia" addressed the recession with a clear visual. His "low budget" opening song and dance number introduced the nominees, highlighted by a cameo by Anne Hathaway when he scooped her up and carried her onstage.

He did the same with his jokes: "Everything is being downsized because of the recession. Next year, I’ll be starring in a movie called New Zealand."

5. Ellen DeGeneres

Number of times hosted: 2

First time hosting: Feb. 25, 2007 (Kodak Theatre)

Last time hosting: March 2, 2014 (Dolby Theatre)

Bottom Line: Ellen DeGeneres

Ellen DeGeneres’s Oscars were unstuffy and marked by her personal brand of humor. She opened by saying, "I want to put the focus on you tonight: I did a little bit of research, and between all the nominees here tonight, you’ve made over 1,400 films. And you’ve gone to a total of six years of college."

She added a domestic note as hostess: vacuuming the floor in the front row and feeding celebrities with a pizza delivery. She didn’t pay but took up a collection, including a generous tip.

Her 2014 selfie with the stars made history as the most retweeted picture to that date.

4. Johnny Carson

Number of times hosted: 5

First time hosting: April 9, 1979 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Last time hosting: April 9, 1984 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Bottom Line: Johnny Carson

Unlike earlier Oscar hosts, Johnny Carson was a TV man. But his years on "The Tonight Show" had made him a master of timing and pitch and taught him how to recover when a joke fell flat.

He hit exactly the right tone. The Los Angeles Times called him "The Gold Standard." He managed to poke fun without being offensive with lines such as, "This is a night when Hollywood puts aside its petty jealousies and brings out its major jealousies,"

And this classic: "I see a lot of new faces, especially on the old faces."

3. Whoopi Goldberg

Number of times hosted: 4

First time hosting: March 21, 1994 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Last time hosting: March 24, 2002 (Kodak Theatre)

Bottom Line: Whoopi Goldberg

The first African-American and the first woman to host solo, Whoopi Goldberg’s 1994 opener hinted at this power: "They went and gave me a live microphone for three hours. There haven’t been this many showbiz executives so nervous sweating over one woman since Heidi Fleiss."

In 1996, her monologue was edgier: "Elisabeth Shue played a hooker. Mira Sorvino played a hooker. Sharon Stone played a hooker. How many times did Charlie Sheen get to vote?"

In 1999, her whiteface Queen Elizabeth I opened the show, "Good evening loyal subjects, I am the African Queen."

In a nod to "Moulin Rouge" in 2002, she wore (and shook) tail feathers and referred to herself as "the original Sexy Beast." Amused by Julia Roberts’ reaction, she noted, "I’m just cracking you up, aren’t I?"

2. Bob Hope

Number of times hosted: 19

First time hosting: Feb. 29, 1940 (Ambassador Hotel)

Last time hosting: April 3, 1978 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Bottom Line: Bob Hope

The ultimate host, Bob Hope had a history of bringing performers together, which may be why he was asked to host a record 19 times. He was the host for the first televised ceremony in 1953 and the first show televised live in 1958, where he famously said, "Television: That’s where movies go when they die."

His hallmark was humor, with respect. He once called the Oscars "a night we set aside petty differences, forget old feuds and start new ones."

Hope last hosted the Academy Awards for its 50th anniversary show in 1978. After his death, he was honored with a tribute presented by Tom Hanks in 2004.

1. Billy Crystal

Number of times hosted: 8

First time hosting: March 26, 1990 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Last time hosting: Feb. 26, 2012(Hollywood and Highland Center)

Bottom Line: Billy Crystal

Billy Crystal was known for his opening musical compositions that incorporated all of the nominees, a feat that no host since has seemed to master.

Known for poking fun without outright insulting, he was also great at ad-libbing when called for, such as when Hal Roach’s microphone failed, "I think that’s fitting because Mr. Roach started in silent films."

He hosted six times in the 1990s. When he returned in the 2000s, some felt his jokes were dated, but he continued to pick up Emmy Award nominations, after winning four in the 1900s.

He last hosted in 2012 when homophobic slurs caused a personnel shakeup, and he was asked to step in at the last minute.