Yahoo Lifestyle 21 Unexpected Oscars Hosts Through the Years
With nearly a century of history, the Academy Awards stage has hosted a wide array of A-list stars as emcees — including the likes of regulars Bob Hope, Billy Crystal, and Johnny Carson, who combined for a whopping 33 appearances as hosts. But can you remember some of the show's more unexpected (and sometimes disastrous) hosts? (We're looking at you Ronald Reagan, Paul Hogan, Seth MacFarlane, and — yes, Donald Duck.) Join us for a quick stroll down memory lane as we take a look at all the celebrity Oscars hosts through the years that you probably forgot took the helm of Hollywood’s biggest night. These folks left their marks on Hollywood history — for better and for worse.
Will Rogers (1934)
When Will Rogers hosted, he was informal and ad-libbed much of the show. His most famous moment came when he casually announced, "Come up and get it, Frank!" for Best Director, before realizing there were multiple nominees named Frank. Frank Capra had already started walking to the stage, only to find out the winner was Frank Lloyd for Cavalcade. (Oops.)
Jerry Lewis (1957, 1959)
Jerry Lewis is far more widely remembered as a comedian rather than an Oscars host, but he did the deed twice — in 1957 and 1959. In the latter year, he even had to fill unexpected extra time when the show ran short.
Donald Duck (1958)
Who said all celebrity Oscars hosts had to be made of human flesh and blood? Indeed, the animated character Donald Duck co-hosted via an animated segment alongside live presenters.
Ronald Reagan (1952, 1953)
Actor, governor, president of the United States... and yes, two-time Oscar host before his political career!
Frank Sinatra (1963, 1975, 1985)
The legendary crooner handled hosting duties at the Oscars three times over three different decades: first as a solo host, then alongside Bob Hope, Sammy Davis Jr., and Shirley MacLaine, and last he presented the show's introduction.
Charlton Heston (1972, 1973)
Heston brought a regal, commanding presence to the Oscars ceremony. Known for his roles in Ben-Hur and The Ten Commandments, his serious demeanor marked a contrast with the show's more typically lighthearted and sometimes humorous fare.
Diana Ross (1974)
The powerhouse singer co-hosted with Sammy Davis Jr. and Jack Lemmon in the disco era — bringing major glamour to the job. It demonstrated her talents beyond music and film, but she isn’t often remembered for the role.
Goldie Hawn (1976, 1987)
Goldie Hawn brought the playful charm for which she is well known to the ceremony. She was never a traditional stand-up-style host, but brought a bubbly charisma that balanced out the vibes of her co-hosts Chevy Chase and Paul Hogan (1976) and Gene Kelly, Walter Matthau, George Segal, and Robert Shaw (1987).
Walter Matthau, Liza Minnelli, Dudley Moore, and Richard Pryor (1983)
Walter Matthau, Liza Minnelli, Dudley Moore, and Richard Pryor took the stage together to host in 1983. It was an unusual mix of talents: Matthau brought classic Hollywood charm, Minnelli her signature Broadway energy, Moore his British wit, and Pryor the sharp comedy. Their chemistry was uneven, making for a memorable, if a bit disjointed, result.
Paul Hogan (1987)
Paul Hogan brought his laid-back Australian charm and wit to co-hosting duties in 1987. Best known for Crocodile Dundee, he delivered a relaxed, unpretentious, and self-deprecating monologue, joking about how formal the Academy is known to be.
Whoopi Goldberg (1994, 1996, 1999, 2002)
Whoopi Goldberg was the Oscars' first solo female host — and went on to host three more times over two decades.
David Letterman (1995)
Letterman brought his late-night humor and sarcasm to the ceremony — and it didn't go well. His Oprah-Uma joke fell tragically flat, setting the tone for an awkward night. Many felt his self-deprecating, irreverent style didn’t suit the formal Oscars atmosphere.
Samuel L. Jackson (2001)
Samuel L. Jackson co-hosted alongside Steve Martin, bringing charisma and swagger — not to mention that highly recognizable voice — to a lively show led by a contrasting duo.
Jon Stewart (2006, 2008)
The host known for his acerbic political commentary brought political satire and late-night-style humor to the show as two-time host.
Ellen DeGeneres (2007, 2014)
Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Oscars in 2007 and 2014, bringing her trademark casual, friendly, and funny style. She interacted with the audience, took selfies, and even ordered pizza for the stars. Her 2014 Oscars group selfie that included Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, and Bradley Cooper went super viral.
Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin (2010)
These co-hosts brought a mix of classic Hollywood charm and sharp humor to the stage. Martin’s dry humor complemented Baldwin’s charisma, and the act was well-received; it was an overall smooth, lighthearted, and engaging ceremony.
Seth MacFarlane (2013)
Seth MacFarlane hosted in 2013, bringing his signature edgy humor to the show. His most infamous moment was a controversial song naming actresses who had appeared nude in films. His bold jokes faced backlash, and some thought the act just wasn't the right fit for the pomp of the Oscars.
Neil Patrick Harris (2015)
Harris brought his musical theater background to the ceremony with an elaborate opening number. His performance was high energy, but the critical reception was mixed. The standout moment? He performed a comedic bit appearing on stage in his underwear, parodying the film Birdman.
Chris Rock (2005, 2016)
Chris Rock hosted in 2005 and returned in 2016. In the role, he called out Hollywood's diversity issues, famously quipping about the lack of Black nominees and addressing the #OscarsSoWhite controversy. The infamous Will Smith slapping incident happened in 2022, when Rock was a presenter. According to reports, the Academy offered him hosting duties the following year, but he declined.
Anne Hathaway and James Franco (2011)
Oh, dear. This duo was famously... awkward. Anne Hathaway and James Franco co-hosted for a mismatched pairing that is remembered mainly for its cringeworthiness. Hathaway brought enthusiasm, but Franco appeared disinterested and low-energy — the lack of chemistry was hard to ignore.
Regina Hall, Amy Schumer & Wanda Sykes (2022)
This trio of funny women hosted in 2022, bringing a range of comedic styles together for a mix of stand-up, sketch comedy, and playful roasts tackling Hollywood’s diversity issues head-on. Unfortunately, their hosting performance — though generally well-received — was largely eclipsed by the shocking moment when Will Smith slapped Chris Rock on stage.
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