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Kevin Hart at the “Night School” Premiere at the Regal Cinemas on September 24, 2018 in Los Angeles, CA.
Comedian Kevin Hart announced on Tuesday that he is headed to the Oscars stage as the host for the 2019 Academy Awards.
“For years I have been asked if I would ever host the Oscars and my answer was always the same…I said that it would be the opportunity of a lifetime for me as a comedian and that it will happen when it’s suppose to,” Hart wrote on Instagram.
“I am so happy to say that the day has finally come for me to host the Oscars. I am blown away simply because this has been a goal on my list for a long time….To be able to join the legendary list of hosts that have graced that stage is unbelievable.”
Hart is no novice to hosting award ceremonies, having previously done so for the BET Awards in 2011 and the MTV Video Music Awards in 2012.
The Night School star replaces late-night talk show host Jimmy Kimmel as the MC for the prestigious movie awards.
Kimmel, who hosted for the last two Academy Awards, congratulated Hart on Twitter.
Congratulations amigo – @TheAcademy made an excellent choice. You are going to kill it https://t.co/OXmXIGVVD5
— Jimmy Kimmel (@jimmykimmel) December 5, 2018
“Congratulations amigo,” he wrote. “@TheAcademy made an excellent choice. You are going to kill it.”
Welcome to the family, @kevinhart4real! #Oscars https://t.co/vfcxAeJlwQ
— The Academy (@TheAcademy) December 5, 2018
Donna Gigliotti and Glenn Weiss will produce the 2019 ceremony.
Hart’s selection comes at a time when the Oscars have been heavily scrutinized for the lack of diversity on its programming, as seen by the popular #OscarsSoWhite trend on social media. In addition, last year’s audience fell to an all-time low of 26.5 million viewers, according to The New York Times.
The Philly native is continually adding to his extensive résumé and is arguably the most popular comedian in the world. He is currently developing programming for Nickelodeon and producing a family-friendly comedian for ABC, the network that airs the Oscars.
The 91st Academy Awards will air on February 24, 2019, at 8 p.m. EST.
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