The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced comedian Conan O’Brien will host the 97th Academy Awards. The former “Saturday Night Live” writer and late-night talk show host has spent the past several years building a podcasting empire under his Team Coco banner.
“We are thrilled and honored to have the incomparable Conan O’Brien host the Oscars this year,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang said in a statement. “He is the perfect person to help lead our global celebration of film with his brilliant humor, his love of movies and his live TV expertise. His remarkable ability to connect with audiences will bring viewers together to do what the Oscars do best — honor the spectacular films and filmmakers of this year.”
“America demanded it and now it’s happening: Taco Bell’s new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme,” O’Brien added. “In other news, I’m hosting the Oscars.”
“Conan has all the qualities of a great Oscars host — he is incredibly witty, charismatic and funny and has proven himself to be a master of live event television,” says Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, returning 96th Oscars producers. “We are so looking forward to working with him to deliver a fresh, exciting and celebratory show for Hollywood’s biggest night.”
The 96th, 95th, 90th, and 89th Academy Awards were hosted by ABC’s own late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. He reportedly turned down the invitation to return. Comedian/actor John Mulaney also passed on the offer to host.
The 97th Academy Awards will be held at the Dolby Theatre at 4 PM (PT) on Sunday, March 2, 2025. The ceremony will be televised live on ABC in more than 200 territories worldwide. We’ll keep you posted on updates about the Oscar race as they become available.
