Billy Crystal at the 2011 Academy Awards (GABRIEL BOUYS/Getty Images)
Yes, it was only briefly hinted at during last year’s events, but since Eddie Murphy‘s departure, it has been announced that Billy Crystal will be the host of the Academy Awards next year. This will be Crystal’s ninth hosting job for the event, and his first since 2004.
Crystal made the announcement via Twitter: “Am doing the Oscars so the young woman in the pharmacy will stop asking my name when I pick up my prescriptions. Looking forward to the show”
Variety tweeted the following as well: “BREAKING: THE ACADEMY HAS CONFIRMED THAT BILLY CRYSTAL WILL HOST THE 2012 OSCARS.”
The Academy released the official statement saying:
Producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer have announced that Billy Crystal will serve as host for the 84th Academy Awards. “I’m thrilled to welcome Billy back to the Oscar® stage,” said Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Tom Sherak. “He’s a comic legend and Oscar icon, and it feels good to have him back where he belongs.”
Commented Grazer, “Like so many others, I’ve been eager to see Billy host again. It’s very gratifying that he agreed to do it with Don and me at the helm.”
Said Mischer, “With Billy, we’re moving forward with one of the greatest hosts in Oscar history. His return to the Oscars® is, in a sense, a celebration.”
This will mark Crystal’s ninth time as host. Only Bob Hope has hosted more Academy Awards presentations, with 19 ceremonies between 1940 and 1978. Crystal last hosted the Academy Awards in 2004.
“Some of the best moments of my career have happened on the Oscar stage. I am thrilled to be back there. Actually, I am doing this so that the young woman in my pharmacy will stop asking me my name when I pick up my prescriptions,” said Crystal.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar® presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.
Are you happy to have Billy back, hosting the biggest night of the year for films? Let us know in the comments below!
