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Hosting the Oscars is not an easy job. It is live television, with Hollywood’s biggest stars in the audience and millions watching at home. Some hosts manage to make it look effortless. They deliver sharp jokes, keep the show running smoothly, and create moments people remember for years.
The best hosts know how to balance comedy and class. They understand when to make fun of the room and when to let the ceremony take center stage. Over the years, a few hosts have truly stood out. Billy Crystal's musical openings became iconic.
Ellen DeGeneres made headlines when she ordered pizza for the stars. Chris Rock used his time on stage to tackle serious topics with humor. Some hosts brought sharp wit, others had a warm charm, and a few added big showbiz flair.
But before we dive in, there is one honorable mention of Conan O'Brien, who hosted the 2025 Oscars. He used his quick one-liners and playful jokes to keep the audience laughing and brought his own unique energy to Hollywood's biggest night.
The 10 best Oscar hosts of all time
1) Billy Crystal (1990-1993, 1997-1998, 2000, 2004, 2012)
Billy Crystal hosted the Oscars nine times and set a high standard for all future hosts. He began every show with a musical montage that mixed humor with plot lines from the year's biggest movies. He often put himself into famous scenes, creating unforgettable moments. In 1992, he walked onstage in a Hannibal Lecter mask to parody Silence of the Lambs and instantly captured everyone's attention.
His monologues were sharp but never harsh, balancing celebrity jokes with a lighthearted tone. Crystal made even the smaller awards interesting, keeping the long ceremony moving smoothly. When he returned in 2012, he proved he still had the ability to connect with the audience.
His mix of old-school showbiz flair and modern comedy created a hosting style that few have matched. His talent for handling unpredictable moments and delivering a consistent performance turned him into a true Oscar legend.
2) Bob Hope (19 times between 1940 and 1978)
Bob Hope hosted the Oscars 19 times and became the most iconic host in the ceremony's history. He first took on the role in 1940 and set a standard with his mix of sharp wit and self-deprecating humor. Hope made fun of himself and the movie industry without stepping over the line.
He delivered memorable lines like, "Welcome to the Academy Awards, or, as it’s known at my house, Passover," to joke about his lack of Oscar wins.
His humor always hit the right note and helped keep the mood light, even during the tense 1960s. Hope's style matched his appearance, as he always looked polished in tailored tuxedos, bringing a classic Hollywood feel to the show.
He managed to keep the ceremony moving and never let his jokes take away from the awards themselves. Modern hosts who blend humor with respect for the industry still draw inspiration from Hope's timeless approach. He showed how a host could set the tone for Hollywood's biggest night and influence the ceremony's vibe for years to come.
3) Whoopi Goldberg (1994, 1996, 1999, 2002)
Whoopi Goldberg made history as the first woman and the first Black person to host the Oscars. She brought bold and fearless comedy to the stage and often started the show with elaborate costumes. In 1999, she appeared as Queen Elizabeth from Shakespeare in Love and completely committed to the bit, getting big laughs.
Her comedy went beyond jokes because she used her platform to talk about real issues. She addressed diversity and other important topics with a mix of humor and honesty. Her hosting style made the Oscars feel more relevant and fresh. She brought a unique voice to an event often seen as out of touch.
Goldberg showed her versatility in 2002 when she balanced fun with the seriousness needed after 9/11. She proved a host could deliver entertainment and substance and set a new standard for future hosts.
4) Johnny Carson (1979-1982, 1984)
Johnny Carson brought his late-night hosting experience to the Oscars and showed why he was known as the "King of Late Night." He hosted five times and handled live TV with a calm and professional demeanor. Carson’s humor was always smart and quick without feeling rehearsed. He excelled at ad-libbing, which helped when the show had technical issues or ran long.
In 1981, a streaker ran across the stage and Carson responded with, "Well, ladies and gentlemen, that was almost bound to happen."
His cool reaction turned a potential disruption into a funny moment. He made the room feel relaxed and balanced the show’s professional tone with his laid-back style.
His hosting showed that a steady and funny presence could guide the ceremony through anything. Many future hosts took notes from Carson's approach, which helped shape the modern Oscars.
5) Ellen DeGeneres (2007, 2014)
Ellen DeGeneres hosted the 2014 Oscars and brought a relaxed and friendly vibe that made the night stand out in the show's history. She approached the event with a natural and easygoing style that made Hollywood’s biggest night feel more like a casual get-together, but most importantly, she moved past the usual formal tone of the Oscars and connected with the stars in the room and the viewers watching at home.
She created a moment everyone remembers when she took a selfie with Brad Pitt, Meryl Streep, Jennifer Lawrence, and other top celebrities. The candid photo became the most retweeted image at the time and showed how a simple idea could go viral.
DeGeneres did not stop there because she also ordered pizza for the crowd and handed out slices to stars in their fancy gowns. Her humor stayed light and warm but kept the energy alive throughout the show. She showed that a host could mix comedy with an authentic approach, turning the Oscars into a fun and memorable experience.
6) Chris Rock (2005, 2016)
Chris Rock took the Oscars stage twice and brought a sharp, fearless edge to Hollywood’s biggest night. His first stint in 2005 made waves with bold jokes about race and the movie industry, proving he wasn’t there to play it safe. But it was his 2016 performance during the #OscarsSoWhite controversy that truly stood out.
Rock didn’t shy away from the glaring lack of diversity among the nominees. Instead, he leaned into it, opening the show with a monologue that mixed biting humor with uncomfortable truths.
His line, "Is Hollywood racist? You’re damn right Hollywood’s racist," cut through the usual Oscar-night gloss and forced the room to confront an issue that had been brewing for years.
Rock’s ability to turn a tense situation into a thought-provoking moment showed how a host could blend comedy with commentary and made his hosting style a benchmark for future emcees.
7) Hugh Jackman (2009)
Hugh Jackman took on the Oscars in 2009 and turned the night into a real celebration with his Broadway-inspired showmanship. He opened with a performance that mixed singing, dancing, and humor and brought an energetic start to the ceremony.
Jackman’s opening number was a clever tribute to the year's nominated films and used simple props and cardboard cutouts to add charm and fun.
His bit about The Reader where he sang, "I haven’t seen The Reader," landed well with the audience.
He showed his range as an entertainer when he performed a duet with Beyoncé during a medley of movie musicals.
Jackman’s enthusiasm was contagious, and his performance brought a fresh feel to the Oscars without needing over-the-top comedy. His blend of talent, energy, and sincerity made his hosting stand out and proved a host could bring big production value and real warmth to the show.
8) Steve Martin (2001, 2003, 2010)
Steve Martin hosted the Oscars three times and built a reputation for his dry humor and smooth delivery. His first time in 2001 set the stage with a blend of classic Hollywood charm and modern comedy.
Martin began the show with a line like, "Hosting the Oscars is like making love to a beautiful woman—it’s something I only get to do when Billy Crystal’s out of town," showing his knack for self-aware humor.
He kept this tone through his 2003 hosting, balancing quick-witted jokes with respect for the awards. In 2010, when he co-hosted with Alec Baldwin, Martin's calm style played well against Baldwin’s bolder approach and brought a good balance to the show.
His jokes stayed clever but not harsh, proving he could entertain without stepping over the line. Martin's consistent style across his hosting gigs showed that a good Oscar host could be funny, professional, and adaptable.
9) Jimmy Kimmel (2017, 2018, 2023)
Jimmy Kimmel hosted the Oscars in 2017, 2018, and 2023 and brought a relaxed style and a talent for creating memorable moments. His steady approach helped him manage the 2017 La La Land and Moonlight mix-up. Kimmel handled the awkward moment with a line like, "I knew I would screw this show up," which eased the tension.
He used elements from his late-night show, like pranks and connecting with everyday people, to make the ceremony feel more grounded. In 2018, he brought a group of moviegoers into the Oscars theater and created an authentic and unscripted moment.
Kimmel's return in 2023 showed he could keep his cool and balance jokes with a relaxed atmosphere. His way of managing live TV with a steady hand made him a smart choice for the Academy. Kimmel’s style proved that a host could mix comedy with genuine moments and keep the show fun and down-to-earth.
10) David Letterman (1995)
David Letterman hosted the Oscars in 1995 and gave a performance that split opinions but stayed memorable. His offbeat humor and late-night style did not match traditional Oscar hosting but made a mark. Letterman’s "Oprah, Uma" bit became famous for its odd delivery as he introduced Oprah Winfrey and Uma Thurman in a deadpan loop.
The joke did not hit well in the room but gained a cult following as an example of his unique comedy. Letterman brought his late-night irreverence to the Academy Awards and mixed absurd humor with the formal vibe of the event. Even with mixed reviews, his style added a new twist to the ceremony.
He showed that an Academy Awards host did not need to follow the classic mold. His hosting showed both the risks and the rewards of bringing a different voice to Hollywood’s biggest night and left an impression that lasted.
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Conan O'Brien hosted the Oscars in 2025.
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