Celebrities Who Have Hosted the Oscars the Most Times Over the Years

01 of 09

Bob Hope, 19 Times

The British-American comedian and actor, known for his work alongside the legendary Bing Crosby, has hosted the Academy Awards 19 times, which is more than any other host to date.

Hope took to the stage for the first time at the 12th Academy Awards in 1940. Known for his jokes and witty one-liners, he hosted the show's first televised event in 1953, in addition to its first broadcast in color in 1966.

Years hosted: 1940-1943, 1945, 1946, 1953, 1955, 1958, 1959-1962, 1965-1968, 1975 and 1978. The icon died in in 2003.

02 of 09

Billy Crystal, 9 Times

The comedian, director and actor, known for his breakout role on the ABC sitcom Soap and in When Harry Met Sally, has hosted the Oscars nine times.

Crystal took the stage for the first time at the 62nd Academy Awards in 1990, and the last time he hosted was at the 84th ceremony in 2012. (He has also opened up about how he'll most likely never host the Oscars again.)

Years hosted: 1990–1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2004, 2012

03 of 09

Johnny Carson, 5 Times

Carson is no stranger to the hosting scene, as he's most notably recognized for his three-decades-long run as host of The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson. Regarded as "The King of Late Night," Carson hosted the Oscars five times prior to his death in 2005.

The 51st Academy Awards marked the first time Carson hosted in 1979. He hosted the show for four consecutive years, and returned to the stage in 1984 to lead the 56th ceremony.

Years hosted: 1979-1982, 1984

04 of 09

Jack Lemmon, 4 Times

Not only has the actor hosted the Oscars four times, but he's a two-time winner as well, taking home Best Supporting Actor for Mister Roberts in 1955 and Best Actor for Save the Tiger in 1973.

Lemmon first hosted alongside Rosalind Russell, James Stewart, Bob Hope,and Donald Duck (yes, you read that correctly) at the show's 30th ceremony in 1958. In 1972, he hosted again alongside Helen Hayes, Alan King and Sammy Davis Jr.

The actor led the show solo for the first time in 1964, and for his last time in 1985. He died in 2001.

Years hosted: 1958, 1964, 1972, 1985

05 of 09

Whoopi Goldberg, 4 Times

The actress, comedian and host of The View hosted the Oscars four times, in addition to winning Best Supporting Actress in 1990 for her role in Ghost.

Goldberg made Oscars history as the first Black woman to emcee the show solo at the 66th ceremony in 1994. She also has a place in awards show history as one of the few stars to earn an EGOT (winner of an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony Award).

Years hosted: 1994, 1996, 1999, 2002

06 of 09

Jerry Lewis, 3 Times

Nicknamed "The King of Comedy," Lewis hosted the Oscars three times, but the third time was not necessarily "the charm" for the actor, who died in 2017.

Lewis emceed consecutively at the 28th and 29th Academy Awards, followed by his third and final gig at the 31st ceremony in 1959.

That last time is infamously recognized as the ceremony in which the final award was presented ahead of schedule, causing the show to end 20 minutes early.

As the first host in history to experience this situation, Lewis put his improvisational skills to use as he attempted to kill time – rallying actors on stage to sing "There's No Business Like Show Business." That's live TV for ya!

Years hosted: 1956, 1957, 1959

07 of 09

David Niven, 3 Times

The British actor hosted the Oscars three times, and they were all quite memorable for various reasons.

After co-hosting alongside Donald Duck at the 30th Academy Awards in 1958, his appearances just got more notable from there.

At the 31st Academy Awards in 1959, Niven made history as the first (and only) person to ever host and receive an Oscar in the same year. The actor received the honor for Best Actor for his part in Separate Tables.

While that was a memorable hosting year for Niven, the 46th ceremony in 1974 was bizarre to say the least, as it was the year famed photographer Robert Opel streaked across the Oscar stage.

Niven died in 1983.

Years hosted: 1958, 1959, 1974

08 of 09

Steve Martin, 3 Times

Also an EGOT winner, Martin has hosted the Oscars three times – and opened the 92nd Academy Awards alongside Chris Rock the year there was no host.

Martin held the hosting honor at the 73rd and 75th ceremony, in 2001 and 2003, respectively. He emceed solo during his first two years, and was joined by Alec Baldwin in 2010 to co-host the 82nd show.

Years hosted: 2001, 2003, 2010

09 of 09

Jimmy Kimmel, 3 Times

jimmy-kimmel-2 — Chris Pizzello/Invision/AP

"Being invited to host the Oscars for a third time is either a great honor or a trap," Kimmel said in a statement about his upcoming third hosting gig, at the 2023 Oscars. "Either way, I am grateful to the Academy for asking me so quickly after everyone good said no."

Years hosted: 2017, 2018, 2023