The Best And Worst Oscar Hosts Of All Time, Ranked

When: 2022

Standout moment: She caused some controversy

There were so many upsets and controversies at the 2022 Oscars that it’s easy to let some slip past. However, host Amy Schumer is considered one of the least popular Oscars hosts, perhaps because of a joke that didn’t happen. The comedian revealed how she planned a bit regarding the tragedy on the set of Rust. Needless to say, the idea didn’t go down well with fans, and it might explain the hit to Schumer’s popularity.

When: 2011

Standout moment: A Bob Hope hologram

Widely considered one of the worst Oscars pairings ever, Anne Hathaway and James Franco had completely clashing energies. Hathaway bordered on manic, buzzing around like a mosquito on 300 cups of coffee. Franco, on the other hand, seemed so bored and lethargic it was almost contagious to the guests. The Bob Hope hologram was the highlight, though, simply because it gave the viewers a reprieve from the disturbing duo. Better luck next time, guys!

When: 2013

Standout moment: He pushed boundaries a little too far

Family Guy writer Seth MacFarlane’s humor has always been divisive, but this has never been more clear than when he took to the Oscars stage. It was the wrong venue for cracks about which female actors appeared topless on-screen, and it hasn’t aged any better since. Still, MacFarlane seems to have learned a valuable lesson if his inclusive hit Sci-Fi TV show The Orville is anything to go by.

When: 2010

Standout moment: The odd couple

Both Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin are great hosts as individuals, but together they just had weird chemistry. It wasn’t that they were bad so much as they didn’t gel or bounce off each other, leading to some weird comedic timing that felt almost like two different acts with awkward pauses in between. To their credit, the duo did get some laughs at Helen Mirren’s expense — many of them from the Dame herself.

When: 2022

Standout moment: The slap heard 'round the world

Chris Rock has hosted the Oscars twice, and it’s safe to say he’s had his ups and downs on stage. He’s often on-point with genial digs at celebrities and "edgy" social commentary — particularly on the subject of race relations — but they can’t all be winners. Obviously Will Smith didn’t think so when he responded to remarks regarding his wife’s appearance with a shocking slap across Rock’s face! Yeah, we'll probably all remember that slap for years to come. And Rock wasn't even hosting when it happened!

When: 1989

Standout moment: The "tragic" duet

In a particularly weird year, 1989 saw absolutely no one host the Oscars, so it’s hard to place blame. However, it’s easy to pinpoint the worst moment. Rob Lowe performed a terrible duet with Eileen Bowman dressed as Snow White in a moment that lives on in infamy. “It’s fitting and proper that we continue to honor the dark and tragic event that befell our nation 30 years later,” he told Vanity Fair in 2018. “I’m particularly looking forward to the candlelight vigils.”

When: 1983

Standout moment: Their awkward opening number

This quartet of Oscars hosts in 1983 are all solid solo acts, but together they were less than the sum of their parts. From start to finish the chemistry was disjointed and awkward, but the intro was among the most cringe-worthy moments. The group tried dancing to a musical number with no synchronicity whatsoever, like four people at a party that none of them wanted to attend.

When: 2017

Standout moment: The Best Picture debacle

Warren Beatty’s co-hosted the Oscars back in 1977 without much fanfare. It was actually when he made an appearance alongside Faye Dunaway to present an award in 2017 that he hit a snag! Beatty and Dunaway called out La La Land as the Best Picture winner instead of the actual victor, Moonlight. It’s gone down in infamy as one of the most memorable Oscars moments of all time.

When: 2015

Standout moment: Hopes were high

Neil Patrick Harris is a natural showman. He’s charming and witty, and by 2015, he'd already hosted the Tony Awards three times, to much success. So, he was a natural pick for an Oscars host. But what makes his ceremony so memorable is that it didn’t hit his usually high standards. Several of Harris’ jokes didn’t pan out, but the worst part was arguably when Dana Perry, Best Documentary Short Subject winner, started a speech about her son’s passing only to have it interrupted. Yikes. Not Harris' fault, but the moment left a bad taste in people's mouths.

When: 1973

Standout moment: Arriving late

Charlton Heston co-hosted the Oscars back in 1973, but he didn’t quite make it in time to kick things off. Heston’s vehicle got a flat tire as he made his way to the ceremony, so organizers had to improvise a stand-in. They got a “volunteer” from the crowd in the form of Clint Eastwood, who begrudgingly held down the fort until Heston got there.

When: 1995

Standout moment: An awkward introduction

When David Letterman was invited to host the Oscars, his talents weren’t in question. However, his comedy style just wasn’t suited to the live, often bombastic show many people expect from the ceremony. Letterman proved awkward, boring, and his cringey introductions bit — “Oprah… Uma. Uma… Oprah. Have you kids met Keanu?” — has stayed with him ever since. He took criticism like a champ, though, and gets bonus points for laughing at himself on his next gig.

When: 1988

Standout moment: Chevy bared all

1988 wasn’t Chevy Chase’s first time hosting the Oscars, but it was his first time doing it solo. He probably won’t be back, though. For starters, Chase began with the line “Good evening, Hollywood phonies.” Then when he proceeded to fake-sneeze on his hand or pick his nose, it just got worse. Perhaps the bottom of the barrel, if you’ll excuse the pun, was when he just dropped his pants. It showed the crack in his routine, as it were.

When: 1958

Standout moment: A cartoonish host

Chevy Chase wasn’t the only Oscars host to appear onstage without any pants. He wasn’t even the first! Donald Duck co-hosted the ceremony back in 1958 in all of his animated glory, and it was as weird as you can imagine. Perhaps weirder! To give the stunt its due, the occasion was the first live Oscars broadcast, so it’s an important part of Hollywood history. But it was also monumentally strange at the time.

When: 1970

Standout moment: Elizabeth Taylor's jaw-dropping diamond

The 1970s Oscars didn’t have one or a handful of hosts, but ran through a whopping 17 of them! As you can imagine, it would take something special to stand out among such a huge selection of stars, but it’s a challenge Elizabeth Taylor was up to. She wore a diamond worth an incredible $1.5 million, which of course no one could take their eyes off of.

When: 1987

Standout moment: Trio with Chevy and Paul

Goldie Hawn co-hosted the award show twice, and though she's usually picture perfect, her time hosting the 1987 Oscars got a weak response from the public. That’s not to say the evening was a complete bust, though. Co-host Paul Hogan’s brutal honesty was refreshing. He said of the Oscars, “As a television show, it does tend to go off the boil particularly as we drift into the third and fourth hour.” Her co-hosting gig back in '76 went a bit better for the actress!

When: 1964

Standout moment: The flubbed award

Two-time Oscar host Sammy Davis Jr. actually wasn't hosting the Oscars back in '64 — that honor went to Jack Lemmon, who we'll get to in a bit — but he was behind an infamous moment during the ceremony. His one big slip-up happened when he announced Tom Jones as winner of the Best Score category. The problem was, Jones didn’t receive a nomination! The fault rests with the organizers, however. They gave Davis Jr. the wrong envelope yet it seems to have stuck in viewers’ minds all the same.

When: 1976

Standout moment: His special honor

’76 was the year where One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest vacuumed up five awards for itself, and Gene Kelly was one of the co-hosts. Not to be overshadowed by fellow hosts Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, George Segal, and Goldie Hawn, Kelly had the honor of introducing two iconic women: silent-era star and Hollywood trailblazer Mary Pickford, and beloved actress Audrey Hepburn.

When: 1977

Standout moment: The tux

Ellen Burstyn was one of several people chosen to host the 1977 Oscars, and all of them were seemingly picked because they represented a conflict with the current culture. Burstyn is a good example of showing her individuality regardless of what others might think with her formal wear. She’s remembered for wearing a man’s tuxedo, which was quite daring back then.

When: 1977

Standout moment: He was unfiltered

Richard Pryor’s topical comedy seemed almost hand-picked for a generation of people looking to shake up the Oscars. And when he co-hosted the show in 1977 and 1983, he didn’t disappoint, either. Pryor’s joke in '77 about how no one in the African American community was watching the Oscars might have been tongue-in-cheek, but it did make people think. “You’ll have to listen to Lawrence Welk,” Pryor concluded.

When: 1975

Standout moment: She shied away from politics

When Shirley MacLaine co-hosted alongside fellow legendary celebs Hope, Sinatra and Davis Jr., things turned political when an anti-Vietnam War feature called Hearts and Minds won Best Documentary. After some impassioned speeches from the director and producer, MacLaine notably didn’t want to read the Academy disclaimer that followed, but Sinatra wasn’t one to shy away from controversial topics and read it in her stead.

When: 2022

Standout moment: A sweet moment between two icons

Past Oscars host Liza Minnelli wasn’t running the 2022 Oscars herself, but she did hand out the Academy Award for Best Picture with Lady Gaga. Despite her frustration at both the prompt cards and teleprompter, Minnelli was still all class. Then when Gaga told her “I got you,” and Minnelli replied sincerely, “I know,” there were few dry eyes in the house.

When: 2018

Standout moment: He got political

It’s safe to say that Jimmy Kimmel is no stranger to hosting, so it’s unsurprising that he was invited to host the Oscars in 2017 and 2018. And while he didn’t exactly bomb, he didn’t excel, either. When Kimmel stuck to the topic of movies, he entertained everyone, but stepping outside that comfort zone and debating politics no doubt lost some of the crowd.

When: 2008

Standout moment: He advocated for the winner

When Jon Stewart hosted the Oscars in 2006 and 2008, dark and gritty movies were the order of the day. “Does this town need a hug?" Stewart quipped in '08, but his real shining moment was when the orchestra cut off Marketa Irglova, who won Best Original Song for co-composing Once. Stewart called her back onstage to finish the speech.

When: 1973

Standout moment: He was overshadowed by Sacheen Littlefeather

Michael Caine co-hosted the Oscars with Carol Burnett, Rock Hudson and Charlton Heston in 1973, but it wasn’t the presenters that made history. Instead, it was Sacheen Littlefeather. Marlon Brando sent her as his replacement when he rejected his Oscar for The Godfather, and Littlefeather made a stirring speech about Hollywood's negative treatment of Native Americans. Still, it wasn't a bad night for Caine: he was nominated for an Oscar while hosting.

When: 2009

Standout moment: A multitalented host

Hugh Jackman wasn’t exactly the greatest showman at the 2009 Oscars, but he wasn’t half bad. Comedians are usually the host of choice for the Oscars stage, but Jackman proved his versatility with a Gene Kelly-like song and dance routine that managed to be charming rather than cringe-inducing. It was a nice callback to the golden age of Hollywood.

When: 1974

Standout moment: The streaker

David Niven hosted the Oscars three times, and it’s easy to see why they asked him back. He tackled every obstacle that TV brought him with his trademark British wit and unflappability... including the time a streaker sprinted across the stage in 1974. The amused Niven simply commented, “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?” Now, that’s class.

When: 1973

Standout moment: She left them laughing

Carol Burnett was also co-hosting when Sacheen Littlefeather made her speech about Hollywood’s mistreatment of Native Americans. That said, Burnett was her usual delightful (and hilarious, obviously) self when she co-hosted the Oscars. Not only did co-host Charlton Heston refer to her as the "leading lady of television," but Burnett went on to make the audience roar with laughter in just over two minutes behind the mic. Now that's talent!

When: 2014

Standout moment: The selfie that broke Twitter

She’s not super popular right now, but before her alleged controversy DeGeneres was a beloved comedian, which naturally led to a gig hosting the Oscars. Actually, she hosted twice, in 2007 and 2014. The second show had several highlights, including a free pizza giveaway for the audience in classic DeGeneres style and a particularly memorable selfie featuring some of entertainment’s biggest names for all the world to see.

When: 1967

Standout moment: He stole the spotlight

Fred Astaire actually appeared at the 1967 Oscars alongside long-time dance partner Ginger Rogers and the main host, the legendary Bob Hope. But as a born performer, Astaire wasn’t going to let Hope get all the glory. When fellow dancer Mitzi Gaynor took to the stage, Astaire and Rogers treated crowds to some unplanned footwork, and as a non-dancer all poor Hope could do was watch from the sidelines.

When: 1963

Standout moment: Ol' Blue Eyes himself

It seems like Frank Sinatra can do no wrong when it comes to Hollywood. The crooner’s even one of the most popular Oscars hosts. He was so good in 1963 that they asked him back for a second time in 1975! Ol' Blue Eyes brought his down-to-earth yet classy style to the stage and proved his comedy chops with an interpretation of how Hollywood producers would review the Mona Lisa. “You know, Leonardo, baby, I like it, I really like it.”

When: 1974

Standout moment: An Oscars of firsts

Burt Reynolds was co-host for an incredible Oscars first — Katharine Hepburn, who up until then had dodged the ceremony, attended to present an award to her producer friend, Lawrence Weingarten. “I’m living proof someone can wait 41 years to be unselfish," she said. Of course, Reynolds wasn't completely overshadowed. He had the honor of being the first host of the broadcast, and quipped, "It was a great shock to be picked as one of the hosts of the Oscars... not to me, but to the Academy."

When: 1985

Standout moment: He hosted for hours

Jack Lemmon took to the Oscars stage as host four times over his career and a couple of times they were solo efforts. He’s received mixed reviews, though, ranking him — according to public opinion — as an average host, more or less. Of course, there’s only so much Lemmon could do in 1985 when the show ran for three hours and ten minutes, by which point everyone just wanted to go home. It was a brave effort, though!

When: 1999

Standout moment: Her captivating creativity

Goldberg broke two Oscars records as not only the first woman to host the awards, but also the first Black woman to do so. She’s capable of handling sensitive topics while having fun — Goldberg was host in 1994, when Schindler’s List was nominated, and for the 2002 post-September 11th ceremony — and she’s a consistently great entertainer. After all, who could forget her elaborate costume changes? Goldberg’s the queen… and we mean that literally. In 1999, she made an unforgettable entrance as Queen Elizabeth!

When: 1958

Standout moment: He succeeded despite strict time constraints

Back in the days when the Oscars broadcast was on a tighter schedule, it was important that the show began and ended on time. James Stewart co-hosted with five others amid all the excitement, and there weren't any commercials for the presenters to take a break. Nevertheless, the Oscars finished without a hitch thanks to a concerted group effort.

When: 1957

Standout moment: A historic Oscars moment

Jerry Lewis is a popular Oscars host and had some monumental ground to cover from a historical standpoint. Not only did he have an admirable on-stage rapport with the youngest Oscars show host — 10-year-old Patty McCormack — he also acclimated viewers to the show's first musical performance by a Black artist, Dorothy Dandridge, in a sadly tumultuous time. No wonder he’s remembered fondly.

When: 2001

Standout moment: His self-deprecating humor

Whether you remember Steve Martin from his ’80s hits or his more recent family-friendly films, there’s no doubt he’s a comedy legend. Martin’s just a natural host, taking everything in his stride and going with the flow — even when the jokes are directed at himself. He hosted the Oscars in 2001, 2003, and with Alec Baldwin in 2010. According to The Wrap in 2021, Martin even got along with the crew, who allegedly said he was the “most low-maintenance host imaginable.”

When: 1986

Standout moment: Robin Williams' performance

Although a hosting combination of Alda, Fonda, and Williams at the 1986 Oscars didn’t wow all critics, most agreed that the highlight of the show was, of course, the unstoppable joke machine that was Robin Williams. The New York Times columnist John J. O'Connor elaborated, “Mr. Williams's improvisational, on-the-precipice style of humor brought the event's comic tone thumpingly into the 1980s.” We’d expect nothing less! 

When: 1978

Standout moment: Johnny kept it real

Johnny Carson didn’t just get experience from his time as a chat show host; he also built up a rapport with many of Hollywood’s finest. It served him well during his five-year total tenure as Oscars host, too. In 1978, he joked that the ceremony was “two hours of sparkling entertainment, spread out over a four-hour show,” which hit the mark because it was both honest and funny. Carson knew the audience was in for long show, but at least they were in it together.

When: 1992

Standout moment: Hello, Clarice...

Nine-time Oscars host Billy Crystal memorably voiced the lovable Mike Wazowski in Monsters Inc. but it was 1989's When Harry Met Sally that first made him famous. Since then, Crystal’s cleverly-themed jokes and universal humor have crowds on the edge of their seats — when they’re not falling out of them with tears in their eyes! Crystal’s shackled 1992 Silence of the Lambs tribute, in which he went full Hannibal Lector, is arguably his best Oscars moment.

When: 1953

Standout moment: The host to end all hosts

To many, the late, great Bob Hope practically embodied the Oscars. He always presented with an almost perfect balance of respect and humor that set the gold standard for future hosts. Hope’s also the most prolific host, as he did the job either solo or alongside others 19 times! That’s including the first one back in 1953, which has to be earmarked as his finest moment purely for the high bar he set.