5 Times a Black Entertainer Hosted the Academy Awards Ceremony
The 94th Annual Academy Awards are fast approaching, and it is already off to a historic start. With award-winning director Will Packer collaborating with Shayla Cowan and his Will Packer Productions banner in charge of producing the show, 2022 will mark the first time an all-Black team will curate the celebratory event.
Veteran actress Regina Hall will co-host this year’s celebration with comedians Wanda Sykes and Amy Schumer—making it the first time three women have hosted the show, two of whom are Black. As we gear up for what’s expected to be an unforgettable night full of big wins and tons of guest appearances from some of Hollywood’s biggest stars, check out five times a Black entertainer hosted the Academy Awards Ceremony.
Whoopi Goldberg
Veteran comedian and EGOT holder Whoopi Goldberg has hosted the annual event four times solo, making her one of only four people to do so four or more times. The Ghost star has emceed the night in 1994, 1996, 1999, and 2002. In 1994, Goldberg became the first Black woman to host the ceremony solo. Four years before, she took home the award for "Best Supporting Actress" for her role in the film mentioned above.
Chris Rock
Comedian and actor Chris Rock kept viewers intrigued and locked in all night when he hosted the 77th annual event on Feb. 27, 2005, making him the second Black person to host solo. He returned for a second appearance on Feb. 28, 2016.
Richard Pryor
On March 28, 1977, pioneering comedian Richard Pryor became the second Black person to co-host the ceremony with Oscar winners Ellen Burstyn, Warren Beatty, and Jane Fonda. He made his second appearance in 1983 as co-host with Liza Minnelli, Dudley Moore, and Walter Matthau.
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Sammy Davis Jr.
On April 8, 1975, beloved entertainer Sammy Davis Jr. became the first Black person to host the Academy Awards show with Helen Hayes, Alan King, and Jack Lemmon. Three years later, he returned to the award stage; he did the honors alongside 19-time host Bob Hope and past Oscar winner Frank Sinatra and Shirley Maclaine.
Diana Ross
The Queen of Motown became the first Black woman to host the Oscars on April 2, 1974. The iconic soul singer co-hosted the celebratory night alongside movie superstar Burt Reynold and Academy Award-winning stars John Huston and David Niven. The year before, Ross was nominated for "Best Actress" for her debut role in the film Lady sings the Blues. However, she lost to veteran actress Liza Minnelli for her part in Cabaret.
