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FOUR-time Oscars host Jimmy Kimmel and replacement frontrunner John Mulaney have both declined the offer to host the 97th Academy Awards.
With the late-night TV host and stand-up comedian both dropping out of contention, a handful of celebrities have been shortlisted by fans to host the show in 2025.
Jimmy Kimmel, 56, who hosted the Oscars in 2017, 2018, 2023, and 2024, decided to pass on the gig before he went on his summer hiatus from Jimmy Kimmel Live!
John Mulaney, who according to Deadline was waiting for the late show host to pass before deciding, has also revealed this week that he had decided to leave his tuxedo in the closet next March.
The former Saturday Night Live writer showed off his hosting abilities during Netflix‘s week-long live talk show John Mulaney Presents: Everybody’s in LA this past May.
After his Field of Dreams speech during the 96th Academy Awards, he instantly became the favorite to replace Jimmy, nearly stealing the show from Jimmy.
The stand-up comic, who quietly married his fiancée Olivia Munn in an intimate ceremony last month, also drew interest after he did a bang-up job hosting the 14th Annual Governors Awards.
ANTHONY ANDERSON
Anthony Anderson was actually endorsed by Jimmy to host the prestigious award show.
According to Jimmy, the Black-ish comedian has also been considered for the job by the network’s bosses.
“Anthony is well-liked across the network both as an actor and entertainer,” an ABC insider previously revealed to The U.S. Sun.
“He is respected, considered easy to get on with, a great collaborator and is friendly with many major Hollywood stars.”
Many have also praised Anthony for his work as the host for the Emmy Awards earlier this year.
“He is on the shortlist to present the Academy Awards, especially after his performance at the Emmys.”
“Hollywood A-listers love seeing him live, as he has that talent to be cheeky rather than snarky about many of them in his jokes,” the source added.
According to the source, Anthony’s appeal across many age gaps is seen as a plus to network bosses.
Chris Rock seen hosting the award show before, though he likely will not return[/caption]
CHRIS ROCK
Legendary comedian Chris Rock is also reportedly being considered for the role despite the debacle at the 2022 award show.
As viewers remember, Will Smith rushed the stage and slapped the comic across the face after he made a joke about his wife Jada Pinkett Smith.
OSCAR HOSTS WHO HAVE HOSTED MORE THAN ONCE
Hosting Hollywood’s biggest award show is both an honor and a burden. Even more so if you have done it multiple times.
- Bob Hope: 19 times (14 solo, 5 with others)
- Billy Crystal: 9 times (solo)
- Johnny Carson: 5 times (solo)
- Whoopi Goldberg: 4 times (solo)
- Jack Lemmon: 4 times (2 solo, 2 with others)
- Jimmy Kimmel: 3 times (solo)
- Steve Martin: 3 times (2 solo, 1 with others)
- Jerry Lewis: 3 times (2 solo, 1 with others)
- David Niven: 3 times (all with others)
The following year, Chris was invited by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to return as host; however, Chris declined.
While it is unclear, Chris will most likely decline again if asked this year.
DWAYNE ‘THE ROCK’ JOHNSON
He’s been a pro wrestler, a Disney star, and even a superhero, so why wouldn’t Dwayne want to add Oscars host to his resume?
During his acting career, Dwayne appeared on the award show last year alongside Bad Bunny as a presenter but has never publicly expressed any interest in taking over the award show.
HUGH JACKMAN & RYAN REYNOLDS
Hollywood heartthrobs Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds have also recently been thrown out as a potential duo to host the Oscars as the pair bask in the success of their latest film, Deadpool and Wolverine.
Hugh is no stranger to being an emcee for award shows, having hosted the Oscars once in 2009 and even the Tony Awards four times.
“I just thought of a good idea Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds host the Oscars together,” a fan wrote on X.
Another said, “I would want to see Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman to host and Deadpool and Wolverine win an Oscar, that would be so awesome.”
NEIL PATRICK HARRIS
How I Met Your Mother alum Neil Patrick Harris is also considered a candidate for the top job.
Neil took over the award show in 2015 but failed to deliver a memorable performance despite the many musical numbers weaved throughout the show.
The failure to wow the crowd led to Neil not being asked back to host despite hosting the Tony Awards four times.
STEVE MARTIN, SELENA GOMEZ, & MARTIN SHORT
The Only Murders in the Building trio have also been eyed to potentially host Hollywood’s biggest night.
Many fans of the hit Hulu show have praised the trio for their insane chemistry, which has kept the murder mystery show going.
Another massive plus for the group is that all three have had some experience performing in front of a crowd.
Both Martin and Steve hail from the iconic comedy show Saturday Night Live, while Selena has performed in front of hundreds of people.
Steve is also no stranger to the Oscar stage, having hosted the award show three times already.
One fan wrote, “Selena Gomez, Steve Martin, Martin Short, and Meryl Streep.. These people will absolutely be the cast hosts the Oscars can look for.!”
Another said, “Steve Martin and Martin Short should host next year’s Oscars.”
Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds have been promoting Deadpool & Wolverine in recent weeks[/caption]
