2025 Oscars: Academy Selects Conan O’Brien As 97th Oscars Host

There were lots of rumors that Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman would potentially host the 97th Annual Academy Awards, but those faded when the stars publicly shut the door on the opportunity. So, now, the Academy has selected Conan O’Brien who will host for the first time.

Details follow in the official press release.

Emmy® Award-winning television host, writer, producer and comedian Conan O’Brien will host the 97th Oscars®, Academy CEO Bill

Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang announced today. It will be O’Brien’s first time hosting the broadcast. The Oscars will air live on ABC and broadcast outlets worldwide on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT, with the official live red carpet show airing at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT.

“We are thrilled and honored to have the incomparable Conan O’Brien host the Oscars this year,” said Kramer and Yang. “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. In other news, I’m hosting the Oscars,” said O’Brien.

“Conan is a preeminent comedic voice, whose decades-long success is marked by his distinctive humor and perspective,” said Craig Erwich, President, Disney Television Group. “He joins an iconic roster of comedy greats who have served in this role, and we are so lucky to have him center stage for 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,” said Oscars executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan. “We are so looking forward to working with him to deliver a fresh, exciting and celebratory show for Hollywood’s biggest night.”

O’Brien is best known for hosting the late-night talk shows “Late Night with Conan O’Brien,” “The Tonight Show with Conan O’Brien” and “Conan.” Before his more than two-decade hosting career, he served as a writer for “Saturday Night Live” and “The Simpsons.” O’Brien currently hosts the podcast “Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend” and recently starred in the 2024 travel show “Conan O’Brien Must Go.” He has won five Primetime Emmys® and earned 31 nominations for his work.

The 97th Oscars will be held on Sunday, March 2, 2025, at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood and will be televised live on ABC and in more than 200 territories worldwide.