Comedian Kevin Hart has been officially chosen as the host of the 2019 Academy Awards show, his first time serving as the show’s emcee. This follows earlier reports that the actor had been in talks with the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences about hosting the ceremony. For the past two years, the Oscars ceremony had been hosted by late-night comedian Jimmy Kimmel.
Hart said he’s happy to rise to the occasion to “make this year’s Oscars a special one.” The show will be produced for the first time by Donna Gigliotti and Glenn Weiss, with the latter also serving as the director. The comedian has often spoken of his desire to one day host the Oscars, and he is well qualified for the job — Hart’s hosting experience dates back to 2011 when he hosted the BET Awards, followed by the MTV Video Music Awards a year later. Hart would later host the Comedy Central Roast of Justin Bieber before co-hosting the MTV Movie Awards with Dwayne Johnson.
The 91st Academy Awards will air live on Sunday, February 24, on ABC.
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