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With the 2025 Oscars fast approaching on March 2, 2025, fans and critics alike can’t stop speculating who will be in the running for the coveted statuettes. But as we all make our way to the movies to watch performances like Demi Moore in The Substance or Nicole Kidman in Babygirl, the star-studded night’s host, former TV host Conan O’Brien, was just announced!
As a reminder, given that the Oscars is always the biggest night in Hollywood, hosting it is no easy feat. In addition to preparing and dealing with some unexpected moments, from streakers to wrong winners, hosts also set the tone for the night with monologues that typically stir up a few laughs, and the occasional criticism.
Ever since the first Oscars in 1929, the Academy always tries to get the best of the best to host the entire event — from Oscar-winning actors to beloved talk show hosts.
Before the announcement about O’Brien, fellow late-night host Jimmy Kimmel hosted the award show for four years. Only three people will have hosted more than him — Bob Hope (19 times), Billy Crystal (nine times) and Johnny Carson (five times).
While we’re beyond excited for the upcoming Oscars, let’s look back at all the Oscars hosts from the first awards show back in 1929.
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2025: Conan O’Brien
Image Credit: Tommaso Boddi
Former late-night talk show host Conan O’Brien was announced as the host for the 97th Oscars on Nov. 15, 2024.
“We are thrilled and honored to have the incomparable Conan O’Brien host the Oscars this year,” Academy CEO Bill Kramer and Academy President Janet Yang said in a press release. “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.”
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2024: Jimmy Kimmel
Image Credit: Rich Polk/Variety via Getty Images
Jimmy Kimmel is returning to the Oscars stage for the second year in a row, and fourth time over all, on March 10.
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2023: Jimmy Kimmel
Image Credit: Matt Sayles/ABC via Getty Images.
After five years since his last Oscars hosting gig, Kimmel was called back in to host after the infamous Oscars slap the previous year.
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2022: Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, & Wanda Sykes
Image Credit: Photo by Robyn Beck / AFP) (Photo by ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images.
For the 2022 Oscars, Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes were the hosts, after three ceremonies with no official host. Their hosting gig was largely overshadowed by Best Actor winner Will Smith slapping one of the night’s presenters, Chris Rock, during the show.
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2018: Jimmy Kimmel
Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
In 2018, Jimmy Kimmel hosted again after his successful hosting of the 2017 Oscars.
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2017: Jimmy Kimmel
Image Credit: Christopher Polk/Getty Images
Jimmy Kimmel hosted the Oscars for the first time in 2017.
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2016: Chris Rock
Image Credit: Michael Buckner/Variety/Penske Media via Getty Images
In 2016, Chris Rock hosted the Oscars for the second time. His decision to host was somewhat controversial after all 20 Oscar nominations in the acting categories went to white performers for the second year in a row. During his hosting gig, Rock called out the lack of diversity at the Oscars, saying “You’re damn right Hollywood’s racist.”
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2015: Neil Patrick Harris
Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
In 2015, actor Neil Patrick Harris hosted the Oscars.
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2014: Ellen DeGeneres
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Ellen DeGeneres hosted the Oscars for the second time in 2014, the year of the famous Oscars selfie!
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2013: Seth MacFarlane
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In 2013, Seth MacFarlane hosted the Academy Awards.
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2012: Billy Crystal
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Billy Crystal hosted the 2012 Oscars, making it the ninth time he’s hosted the show.
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2011: Anne Hathaway & James Franco
Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
In 2011, Anne Hathaway and James Franco co-hosted a very poorly-reviewed Oscars together. According to CNN, there was a lot of tension on the set, with Franco allegedly causing a lot of problems for the crew and set.
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2010: Steve Martin & Alec Baldwin
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For the 2010 Oscars, Alec Baldwin hosted for his first time while his co-host Steve Martin hosted for the third time.
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2009: Hugh Jackman
Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images
Actor Hugh Jackman hosted the 2009 Oscars.
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2008: Jon Stewart
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At the 2008 Oscars, Jon Stewart hosted, making it his second time hosting.
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2007: Ellen DeGeneres
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Ellen DeGeneres hosted the 2007 Oscars, even nabbing an Emmy nomination for her opening monologue.
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2006: Jon Stewart
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Jon Stewart hosted the 2006 Oscars.
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2005: Chris Rock
Image Credit: M. Caulfield/WireImage via Getty Images
In 2005, Chris Rock hosted the Oscars.
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2004: Billy Crystal
Image Credit: M. Caulfield/WireImage via Getty Images
Billy Crystal hosted the Oscars for the eighth time in 2004.
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2003: Steve Martin
Image Credit: Brian Vander Brug/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
Steve Martin hosted the 2003 Oscars.
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2002: Whoopi Goldberg
Image Credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images
In 2002, Whoopi Goldberg hosted the Oscars.
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2001: Steve Martin
Image Credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images
In 2001, Steve Martin hosted the Oscars for the first time.
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2000: Billy Crystal
Image Credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images
Billy Crystal hosted the Oscars again in 2000.
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1999: Whoopi Goldberg
Image Credit: Timothy A. Clary/AFP via Getty Images
In 1999, Whoopi Goldberg hosted the Oscars, the same year she was voted Essence Magazine’s Woman of the Year.
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1998: Billy Crystal
Image Credit: Bob D'Amico / ©ABC / courtesy Everett Collection
In 1998, Billy Crystal hosted the Oscars again.
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1997: Billy Crystal
Image Credit: Bob D'Amico / ©ABC / courtesy Everett Collection.
In 1997, Billy Crystal hosted the Oscars. He’s won five Emmy awards over the years for his opening monologues.
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1996: Whoopi Goldberg
Image Credit: © ABC/Courtesy Everett Collection.
In 1996, Whoopi Goldberg hosted the Oscars for the second time.
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1995: David Letterman
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In 1995, David Letterman hosted the Oscars for his first and only time. He told the Independent his hosting was “the gold standard of Oscar bombing,” because a lot of his jokes fell flat.
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1994: Whoopi Goldberg
Image Credit: © ABC/Courtesy Everett Collection.
Whoopi Goldberg hosted the Oscars for the first time in 1994, three years after winning an Oscar herself for Best Supporting Actress in Ghost.
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1990-1993: Billy Crystal
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From 1990 to 1993, Billy Crystal hosted four Oscars. For the 1992 Oscars, he entered the stage wearing a Hannibal Lecter ensemble, mask and all
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1988: Chevy Chase
Image Credit: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
In 1988, Community alum Chevy Chase hosted the Oscars solo after hosting the previous year.
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1987: Chevy Chase, Paul Hogan, & Goldie Hawn
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For the 1987 Oscars, Chevy Chase, Paul Hogan, and Goldie Hawn (pictured here) co-hosted.
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1986: Jane Fonda, Alan Alda, & Robin Williams
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Jane Fonda, Alan Alda, and Robin Williams (pictured here) hosted the 1986 Oscars.
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1985: Jack Lemmon
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In 1985, actor Jack Lemmon hosted the Oscars for the fourth time.
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1984: Johnny Carson
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Johnny Carson hosted the Oscars solo in 1984, with some calling him the “gold standard” of Oscar hosting, per Lifehacker.
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1983: Walter Matthau, Liza Minnelli, Dudley Moore, & Richard Pryor
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Actor Walter Matthau, Liza Minnelli, Dudley Moore, and Richard Pryor hosted the Oscars together in 1983.
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1979-1982: Johnny Carson
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From 1979 to 1982, talk show king Johnny Carson hosted the Oscars.
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1978: Bob Hope
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Bob Hope hosted 19 Oscars in his lifetime, making him the most frequent Academy Awards emcee. The 1978 Oscars was the last one he hosted.
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1977: Jane Fonda, Warren Beatty, Ellen Burstyn, & Richard Pryor
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The 1977 Oscars were hosted by Jane Fonda (pictured here), Warren Beatty, Ellen Burstyn, and Richard Pryor.
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1976: Goldie Hawn, Walter Matthau, George Segal, Gene Kelly, & Robert Shaw
Image Credit: Everett Collection.
In 1976, Goldie Hawn, Walter Matthau, George Segal, Gene Kelly, and Robert Shaw all co-hosted.
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1975: Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, & Sammy Davis Jr.
Image Credit: Ron Galella/Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images
In 1975, fans rejoiced when it was announced that Frank Sinatra (pictured here) was hosting the Oscars. Along With Sinatra, Bob Hope and Sammy Davis Jr. as co-hosts.
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1974: David Niven, John Huston, Burt Reynolds, & Diana Ross
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection
In 1974, David Niven, John Huston, Burt Reynolds, and Diana Ross all co-hosted the Oscars, a ceremony that became widely known because a photographer named Robert Opel dashed across the stage completely nude, soon to be known as the “Oscar Streaker.”
Niven, who was in the middle of presenting the Best Picture award, responded to the interruption by saying, “But isn’t it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings?”
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1973: Carol Burnett, Charlton Heston, Michael Caine, & Rock Hudson
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In 1973, legendary stars Carol Burnett (pictured here), Charlton Heston, Michael Caine, and Rock Hudson all co-hosted
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1972: Sammy Davis Jr., Shirley MacLaine, Jack Lemmon, Helen Hayes, & Alan King
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection
Sammy Davis Jr., Shirley MacLaine, Jack Lemmon, Helen Hayes, and Alan King co-hosted the 1972 Oscars, the first time someone hosted since 1968.
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1965-1968: Bob Hope
Image Credit: Archive Photos/Getty Images
From 1965 to 1968, Bob Hope hosted the Oscars solo. Despite hosting 19 times, he was never even nominated for an Oscar.
Here, Hope posed at the 1968 show with actress Estelle Parsons, holding her Best Supporting Actress Oscar for the film Bonnie and Clyde, Sammy Davis Jr accepting an award for someone else and past winner Julie Christie.
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1964: Jack Lemmon
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In 1964, Jack Lemmon hosted the Oscars. Here, the actor is pictured posing with his 1974 Best Actor award for his role in Save the Tiger, making him the first man to win both a Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor award. He previously won an Oscar in 1955 for his supporting role in Mr. Roberts.
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1963: Frank Sinatra
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In 1963, Frank Sinatra hosted the Oscars solo.
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1960-1962: Bob Hope
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Bob Hope hosted the show alone three more times from 1960 to 1962. Here, at the 1962 show, he posed with Best Actor winner Maximilian Schell, star of Judgment at Nuremberg, and actress Greer Garson who accepted the Best Actress Oscar for Sophia Loren.
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1959: David Niven, Laurence Olivier, Tony Randall, Mort Sahl, Jerry Lewis, & Bob Hope
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection
Actor David Niven hosted the Oscars in 1959 with Laurence Olivier, Tony Randall, Mort Sahl, Jerry Lewis, and Bob Hope.
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1958: Rosalind Russell, David Niven, Jack Lemmon, James Stewart, & Donald Duck
Image Credit: Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images
In 1958, Bob Hope, Rosalind Russell, David Niven (pictured here), Jack Lemmon, James Stewart, and even, Donald Duck hosted the Oscars. Donald Duck appeared on the screen, despite everyone wishing he’d make an in-real-life appearance.
Niven, on the right, poses here with winner of Best Picture, the cast of Gigi.
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1956: Claudette Colbert, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, & Jerry Lewis
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In 1956, Claudette Colbert, Joseph L. Mankiewicz, and Jerry Lewis (pictured here) co-hosted the Oscars.
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1955: Bob Hope & Thelma Ritter
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In 1955, Bob Hope hosted again with actress Thelma Ritter co-hosting. Here, Hope poses jokingly tussles with Marlon Brando who won Best Actor for his performance in On the Waterfront.
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1954: Fredric March & Donald O’Connor
Image Credit: Everett Collection.
Fredric March and Donald O’Connor hosted the 1954 Oscars.
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1953: Bob Hope & Conrad Nagel
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Bob Hope and Conrad Nagel (pictured here) co-hosted the 1953 Oscars.
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1952: Danny Kaye
Image Credit: Everett Collection.
In 1952, White Christmas star Danny Kaye hosted the Oscars solo, exactly thirty years later, he accepted the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award at the Oscars.
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1951: Fred Astaire
Image Credit: Bettmann Archive
Dance legend Fred Astaire hosted the 1951 Oscars. In this photo, from left to right, Bette Davis, George Sanders, Karl Malden, Greer Garson, Humphrey Bogart, and Ronald Colman posed backstage at the show.
Davis accepted the Best Supporting Actress award on behalf of Kim Hunter, who won for her role in A Streetcar Named Desire. Malden won the Best Supporting Actor award for his role in the same film. Garson accepted the Best Actress award on behalf of Vivien Leigh, who also won for her role in A Streetcar Named Desire. Bogart won the Best Actor award for his role in The African Queen.
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1950: Paul Douglas
Image Credit: Columbia Pictures/Courtesy of Getty Images
Paul Douglas hosted the 1950 Oscars solo. In this photo, actors Broderick Crawford, Mercedes McCambridge and director Robert Rossen hold their Oscars for the film, All The King’s Men. Crawford won Best Actor, McCambridge won Best Supporting Actress and Rossen won Best Picture.
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1949: George Montgomery
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Actor George Montgomery, known for his work in Western films, hosted the Oscars in 1949. Here he is posing many years later in 1978.
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1948: Dick Powell & Agnes Moorehead
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In 1948, Dick Powell and Agnes Moorehead co-hosted the Oscars. Here they posed with actress Jean Simmons.
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1947: Jack Benny
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In 1947, Jack Benny hosted the Oscars. In this photo is, from left to right, Olivia De Havilland, winner of Best Actress for her performance in To Each His Own, Harold Russell, winner of Best Supporting Actor for his performance in The Best Years Of Our Lives, and Cathy O’Donnell.
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1946: James Stewart & Bob Hope
Image Credit: Screen Archives/Getty Images
Hope was joined by James Stewart on hosting duties at the 1946 Academy Awards. This photo features Ray Milland, Peggy Ann Garner, Bob Hope, Anne Revere and James Dunn.
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1945: Bob Hope & John Cromwell
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Bob Hope, pictured here watching Ingrid Bergman receive the Best Actress award for her role in Gaslight, hosted in 1945 with director John Cromwell.
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1944: Jack Benny
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Comedian Jack Benny, pictured here at a different 1944 event, hosted the Oscars for the first time in 1944.
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1940-1943: Bob Hope
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From 1940 to 1943, Bob Hope hosted the Oscars solo, starting his record-breaking hosting career. There was no 1939 Oscar host, so they fell in love with Hope’s hosting style for years to come.
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1938: Bob Burns
![MC BOB BURNS hands EDGAR BERGEN a special Oscar [for the creation of Charley McCarthy] while FRANK CAPRA gleefully looks on, 3/10/38](https://www.sheknows.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/bob-burns-oscars.jpg?w=235)
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection
Bob Burns (left) hosted the 1939 Oscars solo.
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1937: George Jessel
Image Credit: Getty Images
Actor George Jessel hosted the 1937 Oscars. Here he poses with actor John Wayne (right).
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1936: Frank Capra
![PAUL MUNI [Best Actor, STORY OF LOUIS PASTEUR], LUISE RAINER [Best Actress, THE GREAT ZIEGFELD], and FRANK CAPRA [Best Director, MR. DEEDS GOES TO TOWN], 1936](https://www.sheknows.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/frank-capra-oscars-1936.jpg?w=300)
Image Credit: Courtesy Everett Collection
In 1936, actor/director Frank Capra (right) hosted the Oscars.
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1935: Irvin S. Cobb
Image Credit: Everett Collection.
Irvin S. Cobb hosted the 1935 Oscars.
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1934: Will Rogers
Image Credit: Everett Collection.
After the 1933 Oscars went unhosted, in 1934, Will Rogers hosted the Oscars.
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1932: Conrad Nagel & Lionel Barrymore
Image Credit: Everett Collection.
In 1932, actors Conrad Nagel and Lionel Barrymore co-hosted the Oscars.
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1931: Lawrence Grant
Image Credit: Everett Collection.
Actor Lawrence Grant hosted the 1931 Oscars.
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1930: William C. deMille & Conrad Nagel
Image Credit: Everett Collection.
William C. deMille (pictured here) co-hosted the first two Oscars, this year in 1930 he hosted with Conrad Nagel.
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1929: William C. deMille & Douglas Fairbanks
Image Credit: Everett Collection.
For the first Oscars in 1929, William C. deMille and Douglas Fairbanks hosted.
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