Jimmy Kimmel will host the 2023 Oscars
(Picture: AFP via Getty Images)Jimmy Kimmel has been confirmed as the host of next year’s Oscars.
The 95th Academy Awards will take place at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on March 12, 2023, and will be broadcast globally.
The late night talk show host has taken the reins twice before - in 2017, when he managed the chaotic final moments in which the wrong best picture winner was called, and then 2018, just months into the #MeToo reckoning.
The 54-year-old is one of the longest-running talk show hosts in American television history after recently signing a three-year contract extension with ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Speaking about fronting the Oscars for a third time, Kimmel said in a press statement: “Being invited to host the Oscars for a third time is either a great honor or a trap. Either way, I am grateful to the Academy for asking me so quickly after everyone good said no.”
Executive producers and showrunners Glenn Weiss and Ricky Kirshner said they were “thrilled” to have Kimmel onboard.
Adding: “We’re super thrilled to have Jimmy score his hat trick on this global stage. We know he will be funny and ready for anything!”
With this year’s ceremony still fresh in people’s minds, Kimmel will need his wits about him.
Will Smith sent shockwaves around the world when he stormed on stage and slapped comedian Chris Rock across the face for making an insensitive joke about the actor’s wife, Jada Pinkett Smith.
He also repeatedly swore at Rock, telling him to keep his “wife’s name out of his f*****g mouth”.
Shortly after, Smith was named best actor for his role in King Richard.
While Smith was allowed to keep his gong, he has been banned from attending the Oscars or any other event held by the Academy for 10 years.
Rock - who previously hosted the Oscars in 2005 and 2016 - reportedly turned down the opportunity to host next year’s ceremomy following the incident.
