Chris Rock Has Been Tapped to Host the 2016 Oscars

Chris Rock Oscars
Chris Rock speaks as part of the award presentation to Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award recipient Harry Belafonte during the 2014 Governors Awards (Photo by Michael Yada © A.M.P.A.S.)

Actor/director/comedian Chris Rock will be returning to host the 88th Academy Awards to be held on February 28, 2016 and airing live on ABC. Rock, who previously hosted the Oscars back in 2005, said this about his upcoming hosting gig: “I’m so glad to be hosting the Oscars. It’s great to be back.”


Producers David Hill and Reginald Hudlin made the Oscar host announcement today, stating, “Chris Rock is truly the MVP of the entertainment industry. Comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, documentarian – he’s done it all. He’s going to be a phenomenal Oscar host!”

“We share David and Reggie’s excitement in welcoming Chris, whose comedic voice has really defined a generation,” added Academy President Cheryl Boone Isaacs. “He is certain to bring his amazing array of talents to this year’s show.”

“Chris may be best known as a stand-up comic, but we think of him as a creative innovator in many other ways. He is unafraid in his artistry,” said Academy CEO Dawn Hudson. “We couldn’t be happier to welcome him back to the Oscars.”

Rock recently directed Amy Schumer’s HBO special, Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo, and in 2014 he tackled triple duty writing, directing, and starring in Top Five. His credits also include Saturday Night Live, Head of State, I Think I Love My Wife, and Death at a Funeral. He also created and executive produced the comedy series Everybody Hates Chris which aired from 2005 to 2009.