The 10 Best Oscar Hosts of the 21st Century, Ranked

They made history!

As the 2023 Oscars draw near, it's important to remember some of the greatest moments from previous years. Every Academy Awards needs a host (or, in some cases, a presenter), and the biggest names in the entertainment industry are vetted to land the coveted jobs.

Typically, the host is a popular comedian or show business icon, but there are many other actors besides the host. This year's host will be comedian Jimmy Kimmel, who has twice hosted the show. To celebrate Kimmel's hosting, why not count the best of the Oscars hosting categories?

10 Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes (2022)

Three icons of show business and comedy -- Regina Hall, Amy Schumer and Wanda Sykes -- are the lively and wise hosts of the 2022 Academy Awards. In fact, this was their first time hosting an award show, and they made the most of the opportunity.

Although the actual event was a wild night among the nominees, celebrities, and hosts, the three of them had a blast. After the COVID-19 pandemic, their niche Hollywood gags worked extremely well among crowds eager to experience awards season. Hall, Schumer Sykes does a great job and it shows.

9 Chris Rock (2016)

Chris Rock has made quite a splash over the past year, so while he may not be a great host right now, he is known for his stellar performance at the 2016 Oscars.

In his opening monologue, he questioned senior industry leaders about racism in Hollywood and commented on the lack of black actors. Rock has a way of standing up, and he does a great job of delivering a strong message.

8 Jimmy Kimmel (2017, 2018, 2023)

Kimmel is one of the few entertainers to have hosted the Academy Awards multiple times. He will return to host the 2023 Academy Awards for the third time.

Kimmel is best known for hosting his late night television shows and his antics on unsuspecting townspeople, often involving celebrities. For the 2023 Oscars, Kimmel is sure to bring some grit and excitement to the show and all those in attendance.

7 Steve Martin (2001, 2003, 2010)

The legendary Steve Martin, comedy legend and Saturday Night Live star has hosted the Oscars three times. His opening monologue in 2003 has millions of views online — and it’s really hilarious. There were some famous faces in the crowd, and Martin Not afraid to be teased and likable at the same time.

Martin joked about using the Oscars for promotional purposes, while also celebrating some of the nominees in the crowd. Martin will definitely be back in the future, hopefully with his partner and longtime friend Martin Short.

6 Jon Stewart (2006, 2008)

Jon Stewart, a comedian known for his sharp wit and political satire, hosted the 2006 and 2008 Academy Awards as host of The Daily Show. time. He was so successful as a host that he hosted for a second time.

While Stewart is no longer at the forefront of comedy, his hosting of the Oscars is sure to be one of the notable hosts.

5 James Franco & Anne Hathaway (2011)

Actors James Franco and Anne Hathaway host the 83rd Academy Awards in 2011. While the duo might seem odd at first glance, they actually bring a ton of charm and laughs to the show. The two young stars were popular at the time and under pressure, Works great together.

At a future Oscars ceremony, the two were asked to present the award and demonstrate their chemistry on stage. who knows? Maybe Franco and Hathaway will return.

4 Billy Crystal (1990-1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2012)

Comedian, director and actor Billy Crystal has hosted the Academy Awards nine times. He is known for his role in When Harry Met Sally and as the hilarious Mike Wazowski in Monsters, Inc. ^While he has stated that he will likely never host the Oscars again, Crystal's unique comedy and ability to make fun of beloved stars. Crystal's monologues always make audiences laugh out loud -- the Oscars want him back 8 times is understandable.

Australian actor Hugh Jackman hosted the 2009 Oscars. While Jackman is known for his versatility and imposing stage presence, he decided to perform an entire musical to celebrate the nominees rather than perform a monologue. Hathaway thrilled the audience by returning to help Jackman open the show.

3 Hugh Jackman (2009, 2019)

His availability as a performer was at its height and success making him such a lively presenter. Now that his tenure with Musicians is over, maybe Jackman will return in the future!

In 2015, outstanding actor and musician Neil Patrick Harris hosted the 82nd Academy Awards. Similar to Jackman, Harris performed the opening track (he also performed a huge opening track when he hosted the Tonys in 2013). In this figure, they present everyone who has been nominated for Best Actor and Actress.

2 Neil Patrick Harris (2015)

Wearing a shiny black blazer, Harris welcomes the audience with flashy performance style. He is truly a phenomenal presenter, bringing a fresh and vibrant energy to one of the nation's most important and watched awards shows. Hope he can come back in the near future.

Iconic talk show host, actor and producer Whoopi Goldberg has hosted the Academy Awards four times. She is the first black woman to solo host the Oscars. Known for her various jokes and costumes, Goldberg appeared as Queen Elizabeth I at the 1999 Oscars.

1 Whoopi Goldberg (1994, 1996, 1999, 2002)

Goldberg was an iconic character, to say the least, and beloved by many fans. It's a shame she hasn't hosted the Oscars since 2002. Here's hoping Goldberg can get her back on stage to entertain critics and fans again -- with her usual antics, of course.

Next: The best Twitter reactions to the 2023 Oscar nominations