Celebrities Who Have Hosted the Oscars the Most Times

Here's a breakdown of every actor and comedian who has emceed Hollywood's biggest night multiple times

Keeping a room full of industry peers entertained while captivating millions of viewers at home is no small feat. However, to earn a return invite for an encore performance? That's a whole other level of star power.

Since the firstAcademy Awardsin 1929, Hollywood's biggest night has seen its fair share of A-list emcees, experimenting with everything from solo acts anddynamic groupsto evengoing hostless. Still, only a select few have taken the Oscars stage multiple times as a host.

FromBob Hope's record-breaking 19 appearances toJimmy Kimmel's morerecent hosting stints, here's a look at the celebrities who've hosted Hollywood's biggest night numerous times.

The British-American comedian and actor — known for his work alongside the legendaryBing Crosby— has hosted the Academy Awards 19 times, more than any other host to date.

Hope took to the stage for the first time at the 12th Academy Awards in 1940. Revered for his jokes and witty one-liners, he hosted the show's first televised event in 1953, in addition to its first broadcast in color in 1966.

The icon died on July 27, 2003.

Years hosted: 1940-1943, 1945, 1946, 1953, 1955, 1958, 1959-1962, 1965-1968, 1975 and 1978.

Billy Crystal, who got his big break on the ABC sitcomSoapand in 1989'sWhen Harry Met Sally, hashosted the Oscars nine times.

"To me,a show needs a host; you need a center," Crystal told PEOPLE in 2021 before adding, "I had so many great memories hosting the show. It was a history of cinema for me."

The comedian, director and actor took the stage for the first time at the 62nd Academy Awards in 1990, and the last time he hosted was at the 84th ceremony in 2012. (He has also opened up about how he'll most likely never host the Oscars again.)

Years hosted: 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2004 and 2012

Johnny Carsonwas no stranger to the hosting scene, most notably recognized for his three-decades-long run as host ofThe Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Regarded as "The King of Late Night," Carson hosted the Oscars five times before he died in 2005.

The 51st Academy Awards marked the first time Carson hosted in 1979. He hosted the show for four consecutive years and returned to the stage in 1984 to lead the 56th ceremony.

Years hosted: 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1984

Not only has the actor hosted the Oscars four times, but he's a two-time winner as well, taking home Best Supporting Actor forMister Robertsin 1955 andBest Actor forSave the Tigerin 1973.

Jack Lemmonfirst hosted alongside Rosalind Russell,James "Jimmy" Stewart, Hope and Donald Duck (yes, you read that correctly) at the show's 30th ceremony in 1958. In 1972, he hosted again alongside Helen Hayes, Alan King andSammy Davis Jr.

The actor led the show solo for the first time in 1964 and for his last time in -

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1985. 

He died in 2001.

Years hosted: 1958, 1964, 1972 and 1985

Whoopi Goldberghosted the Oscars four times, in addition towinning Best Supporting Actressin 1990 forher role inGhost.

The actress, comedian and host ofThe Viewmade Oscars history as the first Black woman to emcee the show solo at the 66th ceremony in 1994. She also has a place in awards show history as one of the few stars toearn an EGOT(winner of anEmmy,Grammy, Oscar andTony Award).

Years hosted: 1994, 1996, 1999 and 2002

As of 2024, Kimmel has brought hisTonight Showchops to the Oscar stage four times.

The actor, comedian and host kicked off his hosting spree in 2017. After a brief hiatus, he made a successful return in 2023 following the memorable all-female emcee lineup featuringAmy Schumer,Regina HallandWanda Sykes. (Let's just say the previous year's ceremonyprovided him with enough joke material.)

"I always dreamed of hosting the Oscarsexactly four times," Kimmel said in a statement about his upcoming fourth hosting gig at the 2024 Oscars.

Years hosted: 2017, 2018, 2023 and 2024

Nicknamed "The King of Comedy,"Jerry Lewishosted the Oscars three times, but the third time was not necessarily "the charm" for the actor, who died in 2017.

Lewis emceed consecutively at the 28th and 29th Academy Awards, followed by his third and final gig at the 31st ceremony in 1959.

That last time is infamously recognized as the ceremony in which the final award was presented ahead of schedule, causing the show to end 20 minutes early.

As the first host in history to experience this situation, Lewisput his improvisational skills to usein an attempt to kill time — rallying actors onstage to sing "There's No Business Like Show Business." That's live TV for ya!

Years hosted: 1956, 1957 and 1959

David Niven hosted the Oscars three times, and they were all quite memorable for various reasons.

After co-hosting alongside Donald Duck at the 30th Academy Awards in 1958, his appearances just got more notable from there.

At the 31st Academy Awards in 1959, the British actor made history as the first (and only) person to ever host and receive an Oscar in the same year. The star received the honor of Best Actor for his part in Separate Tables.

While that was a memorable hosting year for Niven, the 46th ceremony in 1974 was bizarre, to say the least, as it was the year famed photographer Robert Opelstreaked across the Oscar stage.

Niven died on July 29, 1983.

Years hosted: 1958, 1959 and 1974

Also an EGOT winner,Steve Martinhashosted the Oscars three times— and opened the 92nd Academy Awards alongsideChris Rockthe year there was no host.

Martin held the hosting honor at the 73rd and 75th ceremonies in 2001 and 2003, respectively. He emceed solo during his first two years and was joined byAlec Baldwinin 2010 to co-host the 82nd show.

Years hosted: 2001, 2003 and 2010

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