One of my favorite interview subjects, I’ve chatted with him six times, has been given the opportunity of a lifetime. That’s right, Kevin Hart is set to host the 91st Academy Awards!
Although Jimmy Kimmel has done a solid job these last few years, it was time for a change. Given that the show has hired two new producers—Donna Gigliotti and Glenn Weiss—it is hardly a surprise that they chose a name that, for many, might appear to be out of left field.
Hart is one of the hardest working souls in showbiz and his ascent to Oscar host began years ago when he was working the stand-up comedian circuit. He started getting bit parts in films and when he teamed up with super-producer Will Packer, both of their stars started to get brighter with each passing film. From bit parts in flicks such as Fool’s Gold and Meet Dave, he ascended to the scene stealing regular in films such as Packer’s ensemble piece Think Like a Man to Ride Along.
While becoming an in-demand movie star, Hart never gave up on the grueling road of touring stand-up comic. In fact, many of his stand-up comedy movies are pure gold. Kevin Hart: What Now? showcased his making history as the first comic to sell out a stadium—in his home town of Philadelphia no less.
What kind of host he will be will certainly be the topic of conversation of movie aficionados until the nominations are handed out in January. Look for him to raise some eyebrows, but to keep it in good taste as we’re sure he knows the magnitude of this event. He is whip smart and rolls with the punches as good as anyone working today—another perfect trait for an Oscar host to possess.
We have high hopes for our favorite comic and that enormous night. He released a statement on Instagram and his excitement is palpable. “I am blown away simply because this has been a goal on my list for a long time,” Hart said. “To be able to join the legendary list of host(s) that have graced that st age is unbelievable.”