Jimmy Kimmel and John Mulaney have declined offers to host the 2025 Oscars scheduled for March 2.
As reported by Variety, Kimmel, who has hosted the Oscars four times, including the last two ceremonies, chose to turn down the role earlier this summer. Mulaney, a previous participant in the Oscars and host of the ‘Governors Awards,’ cited a busy schedule with multiple upcoming projects as his reason for declining.
Kimmel is tied with Whoopi Goldberg and Jack Lemmon for hosting the Oscars four times, placing him fourth in terms of frequency. He trails Johnny Carson with five hostings, Billy Crystal with nine, and Bob Hope who leads with nineteen appearances.
Mulaney, who hosted the Governors Awards in January and presented at the 96th Oscars, had emerged as a favourite to continue in the role, according to followers of the awards and reports by Variety.
Bill Kramer, the executive director of the American Academy of Motion Pictures, lauded Kimmel and Mulaney in a June interview with Variety. “We’re fortunate to have had Jimmy, who contributed to one of the best Oscars last year. John Mulaney also performed exceptionally well.
For future ceremonies, we aim to maintain this atmosphere of celebration, respect, humour, and deep appreciation for the film. We have excellent options for future hosts,” Kramer expressed.
This development reflects Kimmel and Mulaney’s significant contributions to past ceremonies and sets the stage for new talent to lead one of the film’s most celebrated events.
