• In 2018, US comedian Jimmy Kimmel was the host of the Academy Awards, after also serving in the role in 2017. AFP
    In 2018, US comedian Jimmy Kimmel was the host of the Academy Awards, after also serving in the role in 2017. AFP
  • Jimmy Kimmel, right, at the 2017 Oscars, watches on while 'La La Land' producer Jordan Horowitz shows the card stating that 'Moonlight' won the Best Picture Award. AFP
    Jimmy Kimmel, right, at the 2017 Oscars, watches on while 'La La Land' producer Jordan Horowitz shows the card stating that 'Moonlight' won the Best Picture Award. AFP
  • Chris Rock hosted the Academy Awards in 2016, with an opening monologue criticising the lack of black acting nominees. AFP
    Chris Rock hosted the Academy Awards in 2016, with an opening monologue criticising the lack of black acting nominees. AFP
  • In 2015, Oscars host Neil Patrick Harris did a musical performance along with Anna Kendrick. AFP
    In 2015, Oscars host Neil Patrick Harris did a musical performance along with Anna Kendrick. AFP
  • In 2014, the award ceremony's host Ellen DeGeneres clicked the star-studded selfie that went viral.
    In 2014, the award ceremony's host Ellen DeGeneres clicked the star-studded selfie that went viral.
  • Seth MacFarlane opened the 2013 Oscars with a 19-minute monologue that was criticised by many as racist and sexist. AFP
    Seth MacFarlane opened the 2013 Oscars with a 19-minute monologue that was criticised by many as racist and sexist. AFP
  • The 2012 Oscars host Billy Crystal has emceed the event a total of nine times. AFP
    The 2012 Oscars host Billy Crystal has emceed the event a total of nine times. AFP
  • James Franco and Anne Hathaway's hosting of the 2011 event was criticised as among the worst Oscar telecasts. AFP
    James Franco and Anne Hathaway's hosting of the 2011 event was criticised as among the worst Oscar telecasts. AFP
  • In 2010, veteran actors Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin played hosts at the Oscars ceremony. AFP
    In 2010, veteran actors Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin played hosts at the Oscars ceremony. AFP
  • The 2009 event was highly praised for host Hugh Jackman's opening musical performance. AP Photo
    The 2009 event was highly praised for host Hugh Jackman's opening musical performance. AP Photo

A decade of Oscars hosts - in pictures


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American actor and comedian Kevin Hart will be taking on Oscars hosting duties for the star-studded ceremony's 2019 edition. He joins an impressive list of emceeing predecessors - some more successful than others.

Hart's meteoric rise to fame has seen him charter a course to the top over the last two decades, from bit parts in the Scary Movie franchise, to flexing his acting chops alongside The Rock in  2018's Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle.

He announced the news on Tuesday afternoon on his Instagram account, explaining that it had been "a goal on my list for a long time", and calling it an "opportunity of a lifetime". Hart made special mention of the fact that he would be joining a legendary list of hosts that had graced the stage before him - and he's right, it's a formidable list.

The last decade of Oscars hosts has seen the likes of Ellen DeGeneres, Seth MacFarlane, Anne Hathaway, and James Franco presiding over emcee duties - some more successful than others.

Jimmy Kimmel held the mantle for the last two years in a row, and was subsequently at the helm when ratings sunk to an all-time low in 2017.

Check out our gallery above for a run-down of the last decade of Academy Award hosts.

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