It’s been 10 years since his last hosting gig, but Chris Rock is back!
The comedian announced today that he will be taking up the mantle from 2015’s Neil Patrick Harris to host the 2016 Academy Awards.
The funnyman revealed his good news today on Twitter, when he posted a picture of himself from the 2005 Oscars, along with the caption, “Look who’s back. #Oscars”.
“Chris Rock is truly the MVP of the entertainment industry,” said the show’s producers, David Hill and Reginald Hudlin, “Comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, documentarian – he’s done it all. He’s going to be a phenomenal Oscar host!”
Chris raised more than a few eyebrows during his original hosting stint, after he stated that a few of the nominated films “sucked”, and told Jude Law that he couldn’t act.
But it seems that Hollywood must have gotten over it.
To celebrate Chris Rock’s return to the Oscars stage, we’ve put together a top ten of our favourite Academy Awards hosts.
Check out who made the cut!
Chris Rock got the stars of Hollywood out of their seats in 2005, when he was chosen to host the Oscars that year. The comedian will reprise his role in 2016.
Chris will take over from actor and comedian, Neil Patrick Harris, who hosted this year’s Academy Awards.
Ellen DeGeneres has seen the stage more than once in 2007 and 2014. Ellen will be remembered for her epic celebrity selfie, handing out pizzas to the crowd, and, of course, this fairy godmother outfit.
Not everyone was a fan of Anne Hathaway and James Franco’s go at it in 2011. Critics were quick to point out that Anne Hathaway was too excited, and James Franco was not excited enough!
Billy Crystal is a fan favourite, with the show asking him back nine times!
But that doesn’t hold a candle to Bob Hope, who was asked to host a whopping 19 times! The actor was so beloved that the Oscars hosted an elaborate tribute to him after his death in 2003.
The Oscars got a taste of Aussie spirit when our very own Hugh Jackman was called up for the gig. The Australian sang and danced his way into the hearts of the crowd, and has been remembered as one of the funniest.
Whoopi Goldberg has had a good run as well! The actress has been asked to host four times between 1994 and 2002.
Your Majesty! One of her most memorable moments included this appearance in full Elizabethan dress as ‘Queen Goldberg I’.
Jon Stewart got a few laughs when he hosted in 2006 and 2008.
Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin got the crowd going in 2010!
