Chris Rock to return as Oscars host
Hollywood star, former Saturday Night Live cast member hosted film awards in 2005
Comedian, actor and filmmaker Chris Rock is getting a second shot at hosting the Oscars, with Academy Award producers confirming the stint on Tuesday.
Rock, the 2005 host who sparked controversy with his edgy, biting comedy that poked fun at stars, has been given the gig for the 88th edition of the awards, on Feb. 28 in Los Angeles.
"Chris Rock is truly the MVP of the entertainment industry," producers David Hill and Reginald Hudlin said in a statement.
"Comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, documentarian — he's done it all. He's going to be a phenomenal Oscar host!"
"I'm so glad to be hosting the Oscars," said Rock.
"It's great to be back."
Look who's back. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Oscars?src=hash">#Oscars</a>. <a href="https://t.co/7TkkrDpSJM">pic.twitter.com/7TkkrDpSJM</a>
—@chrisrockSince his three-year stint on Saturday Night Live in the early 1990s, Rock has juggled a career both in front of and behind the camera.
Along with starring in Emmy-winning comedy specials and releasing Grammy-winning comedy albums, he created, narrated and executive produced the loosely biographical sitcom Everybody Hates Chris, appeared on Broadway and in films such as the Madagascar series, The Longest Yard, Nurse Betty, Head of State and I Think I Love My Wife — the latter two which he also wrote and directed.
He was also behind the critically acclaimed documentary Good Hair and, most recently, directed the HBO comedy special Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo.
"Chris may be best known as a stand-up comic, but we think of him as a creative innovator in many other ways. He is unafraid in his artistry," said Dawn Hudson, CEO of the U.S. Academy of Film and Television Arts.
"We couldn't be happier to welcome him back to the Oscars."