Top Oscar Hosts Through the Years

The Oscars have evolved into Hollywood’s most prized awards. The very first Academy Awards took place as an intimate dinner in 1929 — a five-minute presentation with only one photograph and a two-paragraph press report.

From that modest beginning, the event expanded into a global television spectacle watched by over a billion viewers each year. More than 70 people have served as Oscar hosts, with several returning multiple times; some ceremonies have even proceeded without a host. Over the decades, certain hosts stood out for their wit, charm and ability to balance industry jabs with kindness. Below is a polished, concise look at notable Oscar hosts and the moments that defined their performances.

30. David Letterman

Number of times hosted: 1
First time hosting: March 27, 1995 (Shrine Auditorium)

Letterman’s set included memorable one-liners and a few misfires. His attempt to riff on celebrity pairings — “Oprah, Uma, Uma, Oprah. Have you kids met Keanu?” — landed awkwardly, but other jokes worked, such as his quip about Lizzie Gardiner’s American Express dress: “Bad news, ladies and gentlemen: While we were away, Lizzie Gardiner’s dress expired.” He also poked fun at DreamWorks with a dry observation about branding.

29. Neil Patrick Harris

Number of times hosted: 1
First time hosting: Feb. 22, 2015 (Dolby Theatre)

Harris showcased strong song-and-dance chops and theatrical flair, though some rapid-fire jokes and puns fell flat. He mixed playful self-awareness with pointed industry commentary, including a joke about diversity that exposed tensions while trying to be humorous.

28. Anne Hathaway

Number of times hosted: 1
First time hosting: Feb. 27, 2011 (Kodak Theatre)

Co-hosting with James Franco, Hathaway leaned into humor about youth and celebrity, interacting warmly with the audience and even breaking the fourth wall when her mother was spotted. Critics praised the duo for striking a relaxed, respectful tone that balanced planned and improvised moments.

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)

Fonda served as an elegant, witty presence. In 1977 she delivered a playful Stallone gag and in 1986 shared duties with Alan Alda and Robin Williams; she later introduced Cher in a memorable segment that highlighted the evening’s spectacle.

26. Alan Alda

Number of times hosted: 1
First time hosting: March 24, 1986 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Alda combined warmth and gentle satire, sharing the stage with Fonda and Williams. He participated in a tongue-in-cheek “blueprint” acceptance speech that cleverly spoofed awards-show long-windedness while getting laughs without cruelty.

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)

Matthau brought his dry, deadpan style to the Oscars, joking about his supposed unsuitability for musical numbers with self-deprecating humor. He tried to lean into production moments and gave the audience a taste of his laconic charm.

24. Alec Baldwin

Number of times hosted: 1
First time hosting: March 7, 2010 (Kodak Theatre)

Baldwin partnered with Steve Martin, playing the straight man at times and landing a few pointed jabs—most notably about perennial nominees—while allowing Martin’s sharper comic edge to lead the banter.

23. Liza Minnelli

Number of times hosted: 1
First time hosting: April 11, 1983 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Minnelli stole the show with a vibrant opening number and classic song-and-dance charisma, playfully acknowledging co-hosts who were still “rehearsing” while delivering memorable, theatrical moments throughout the evening.

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)

Pryor used the platform to confront issues of race and representation with his characteristic urgency and humor. He mixed pointed social commentary with attempts at the evening’s more theatrical bits, sometimes landing the sharper lines most effectively.

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)

Chase attempted to shorten the show with recurring gags about cue signals for winners to stop talking, and delivered physical comedy that sometimes overshadowed the event. His 1988 opening, beginning with “Good evening, Hollywood phonies,” set a more acerbic tone that some critics found flat.

20. Robin Williams

Number of times hosted: 1
First time hosting: March 24, 1986 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Williams opened with a rapid-fire, improvisational energy that drew immediate laughs. His impressions and “translation” routines during the show highlighted his gift for spontaneous humor and quick recovery when bits went awry.

19. Chris Rock

Number of times hosted: 2
First time hosting: Feb. 27, 2005 (Kodak Theatre)
Last time hosting: Feb. 28, 2016 (Dolby Theatre)

Rock’s 2005 set drew criticism for dismissing younger actors, but his 2016 hosting was sharp and unapologetic, directly confronting Hollywood’s racial imbalances and using satire to spark conversation. His 2022 encounter with Will Smith as a presenter later overshadowed his Oscar legacy.

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)

Stewart anchored early postwar ceremonies with grace and warmth. He participated in the first live broadcast in 1958 and shared the stage with an ensemble of hosts and characters, delivering gentle humor and personable interactions that reflected Hollywood’s return to glamour.

17. Jerry Lewis

Number of times hosted: 3
First time hosting: March 21, 1956 (Pantages Theatre)
Last time hosting: April 6, 1959 (Pantages Theatre)

Lewis handled bicoastal ceremonies and rapid shifts in tone with his trademark physical comedy and wisecracks. When awarded time unexpectedly, he improvised by engaging stars in spontaneous routines, showing quick thinking and a talent for filling awkward gaps.

16. Carol Burnett

Number of times hosted: 1
First time hosting: March 27, 1973 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Burnett blended warmth and pointed humor, using self-aware jabs and comedic timing. Her playful introduction of Charlton Heston after a delayed entrance showcased her ability to turn production hiccups into entertaining bits.

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)

Hawn paired bubbly persona with sharp observations, delivering self-effacing lines and playful banter with co-hosts. Her chemistry with partners like Matthau and Chevy Chase made for amiable, light-hearted evenings.

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)

As the first African-American co-host, Davis mixed charm with candid commentary on race and class, using humor to highlight inequities while showcasing effortless stage presence and musical talent.

13. Jon Stewart

Number of times hosted: 2
First time hosting: March 5, 2006 (Kodak Theatre)
Last time hosting: Feb. 24, 2008 (Kodak Theatre)

Stewart’s sharper satire sharpened between his two stints. By 2008 he landed punchier topical jokes related to the writer’s strike and politics, and he earned praise for a gracious moment when he brought an interrupted winner back to the stage to finish her speech.

12. Paul Hogan

Number of times hosted: 1
First time hosting: March 30, 1987 (Dorothy Chandler Pavilion)

Hogan delivered breezy, folksy wisdom and practical advice for winners—“Be gracious, be grateful, get off”—and urged nominees to give audiences an emotional performance, earning positive critical notice for his affable style.

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)

Sinatra mixed suave delivery with pointed wit, teasing Hollywood taste-makers and responding to critics with calm confidence. His trademark cool and well-timed barbs made for polished, memorable hosting moments.

10. Jimmy Kimmel

Number of times hosted: 2
First time hosting: Feb. 26, 2017 (Dolby Theatre)
Last time hosting: March 4, 2018 (Dolby Theatre)

Kimmel brought show-business spontaneity and crowd-pleasing stunts, including inviting tourists into the theater and orchestrating lighthearted moments with celebrities. He addressed the 2017 Best Picture envelope mix-up with self-deprecating humor when returning in 2018.

9. Steve Martin

Number of times hosted: 3
First time hosting: March 23, 2001 (Shrine Auditorium)
Last time hosting: March 7, 2010 (Kodak Theatre)

Martin masterfully balanced self-deprecation and clever jabs at Hollywood’s foibles. His deadpan charm and willingness to lampoon even revered figures made his monologues reliably entertaining.

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)

Niven was an urbane, composed host who handled unexpected moments—most famously a streaker in 1974—with wit and poise, turning potential embarrassment into polished comedy.

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)

Lemmon combined warm storytelling with sharp observational humor, often elevating presenters with heartfelt, gracious introductions and quips that resonated with both nominees and viewers.

6. Hugh Jackman

Number of times hosted: 1
First time hosting: Feb. 22, 2009 (Kodak Theatre)

Jackman displayed full musical-theater showmanship and a playful approach to the economic concerns of the era. His energetic opening number and surprising physicality reintroduced himself to viewers as a multifaceted entertainer.

5. Ellen DeGeneres

Number of times hosted: 2
First time hosting: Feb. 25, 2007 (Kodak Theatre)
Last time hosting: March 2, 2014 (Dolby Theatre)

Ellen’s easygoing, relatable humor and crowd-friendly stunts—vacuuming the front row, ordering pizza for the audience, and taking the historic 2014 selfie—made her ceremonies feel intimate and unpretentious while still celebratory.

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)

Carson’s mastery of timing and recovery from flops made him one of the most reliable Oscar hosts. His blend of warmth and dry wit set a gold standard for balance between ribbing and respect.

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)

Goldberg made history as the first African-American and first woman to host solo. Her monologues mixed sharp social commentary with playful theatrical sketches, and she consistently brought personality, confidence and comedic range to the stage.

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)

Bob Hope was the quintessential Oscar host, presiding over the ceremony a record 19 times. His light, respectful humor and unmatched experience in live performance helped define what an awards-show host could be, making him an enduring presence in Academy Awards history.

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)

Billy Crystal tops the list for his blend of musical creativity, thoughtful humor and reliable improvisation. His trademark opening numbers showcased each nominee in a showy yet affectionate way, and his ability to roast without alienating made him a beloved and enduring Oscars host.

Across decades, the Oscars have relied on hosts who can balance entertainment, respect and timely commentary. Whether through musical numbers, sharp satire, heartfelt introductions or spontaneous goodwill, the most memorable hosts found ways to celebrate the craft while engaging a global audience.