Conan O’Brien has been named the host of the 97th Academy Awards, set to take place on Sunday, March 2, 2025, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and ABC announced on Friday.
At 61, O’Brien will host Hollywood’s most prestigious event for the first time, with the ceremony airing live from the Dolby Theatre at 4 p.m. PT. The event will be broadcast across more than 200 countries.
With decades of experience in television, O’Brien has recently shifted from hosting a late-night talk show to leading the successful podcast Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend and overseeing Team Coco, his podcasting network. A former writer for Saturday Night Live and The Simpsons, O’Brien has earned 31 Emmy nominations, including five wins.
Academy CEO Bill Kramer and President Janet Yang expressed their excitement, calling O’Brien “the perfect person” to host, praising his humor, love of films, and expertise in live television. They believe his unique ability to connect with audiences will make the Oscars an unforgettable celebration of this year’s outstanding films and filmmakers.
