Throughout the decades, the Academy Awards has relied on iconic figures from the world of entertainment to grace its stage. These hosts, from actors to comedy greats, become the face of Hollywood’s biggest night, whether solo, paired, or part of a team.
The first Academy Awards ceremony in 1929 began as a private dinner hosted by Douglas Fairbanks and director William C. DeMille and had no formal host. However, as the awards gained popularity, the master of ceremonies would become defined by comedian Bob Hope, whose sharp wit and charisma set the standard for future hosts. Hope would host a record 19 ceremonies (14 solo, 5 with others), starting in 1940.
Others followed, including Billy Crystal, who hosted an impressive 9 times solo. Johnny Carson came next with 5 solo appearances, followed by Whoopi Goldberg, who hosted 4 times solo. Jack Lemmon also hosted 4 times, twice solo and twice as a co-host. Jimmy Kimmel brought his charm to the Oscars 3 times solo, while Steve Martin hosted 3 times, including 2 solo appearances and 1 as part of a duo.
Revisit the legendary hosts of the Academy Awards, including notable mentions like Chris Rock, Jon Stewart, Chevy Chase, Goldie Hawn, Sammy Davis Jr., Shirley MacLaine, Frank Sinatra, and many more.
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2025 – Conan O’Brien
Image Credit: Getty Images 96th Academy Awards Host, Conan O’Brien, is currently set to return for the gig come 2026.
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2024 – Jimmu Kimmel
Image Credit: Rich Polk/Variety via Getty Images Jimmy Kimmel hosted the 96th Annual Oscars on March 10, 2024 in Los Angeles, California.
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2023 – Jimmy Kimmel
Image Credit: AMPAS 95th Academy Awards Host, Jimmy Kimmel
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2022 – Regina Hall, Amy Schumer, and Wanda Sykes
Image Credit: Art Streiber via Getty Images 94th Academy Awards Hosts, Amy Schumer, Regina Hall, and Wanda Sykes
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2018 – Jimmy Kimmel
Image Credit: Ed Herrera via Getty Images 90th Academy Awards Host, Jimmy Kimmel
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2017 – Jimmy Kimmel
Image Credit: Eddy Chen/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images 89th Academy Awards Host, Jimmy Kimmel
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2016 – Chris Rock
Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images 88th Academy Awards Host, Chris Rock
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2015 – 87th Oscars: Neil Patrick Harris
Image Credit: Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images 87th Academy Awards Host, Neil Patrick Harris
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2014 – Ellen DeGeneres
Image Credit: Al Seib/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images 86th Academy Awards Host, Ellen DeGeneres gathers actors from the audience for a selfie
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2013 – Seth MacFarlane
Image Credit: Bob D'Amico/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images 85th Academy Awards Host, Seth MacFarlane
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2012 – Billy Crystal
Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Image 84th Academy Awards Host, Billy Crystal
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2011 – James Franco and Anne Hathaway
Image Credit: A.M.P.A.S./Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images 83rd Academy Awards Hosts, James Franco and Anne Hathaway
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2010 – Alec Baldwin and Steve Martin
Image Credit: Bob D'Amico/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images 82nd Academy Awards Hosts, Steve Martin and Alec Baldwin
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2009 – Hugh Jackman
Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images 81st Academy Awards Host, Hugh Jackman (R) and Singer Beyonce Knowles, Amanda Seyfried and Zac Efron perform on stage
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2008 – Jon Stewart
Image Credit: Kevin Winter/Getty Images 80th Academy Awards Host, Jon Stewart
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2007 – Ellen DeGeneres
Image Credit: Getty Images 79th Academy Awards Host, Ellen DeGeneres
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2006 – Jon Stewart
Image Credit: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Science/FilmMagic 78th Academy Awards Host, Jon Stewart
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2005 – Chris Rock
Image Credit: Brian Vander Brug/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images 77th Academy Awards Host, Chris Rock
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2004 – Billy Crystal
Image Credit: Getty Images 76th Academy Awards Host, Billy Crystal
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2003 – Steve Martin
Image Credit: Brian Vander Brug/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images 75th Academy Awards Host, Steve Martin
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2002 – Whoopi Goldberg
Image Credit: Ken Hively/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images 74th Academy Awards Host, Whoopi Goldberg
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2001 – Steve Martin
Image Credit: Getty Images 73rd Academy Awards Host, Steve Martin
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2000 – Billy Crystal
Image Credit: Getty Images 72nd Academy Awards Host, Billy Crystal
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1999 – Whoopi Goldberg
Image Credit: Getty Images 71st Academy Awards Host, Whoopi Goldberg, dressed as Queen Elizabeth I of England, opens the Academy Awards
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1998 – Billy Crystal
Image Credit: Getty Images 70th Academy Awards Host, Billy Crystal
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1997 – Billy Crystal
Image Credit: Everett Collection 69th Academy Awards Host, Billy Crystal
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1996 – Whoopi Goldberg
Image Credit: TIMOTHY A. CLARY/AFP via Getty Images 68th Academy Awards Host, Whoopi Goldberg
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1995 – David Letterman
Image Credit: Jeff Kravitz/FilmMagic, Inc 67th Academy Awards Host, David Letterman
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1994 – Whoopi Goldberg
Image Credit: Everett Collection 66th Academy Awards Host, Whoopi Goldberg
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1993 – Billy Crystal
Image Credit: Bob D'Amico /Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images 65th Academy Awards Host, Billy Crystal
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1992 – Billy Crystal
Image Credit: AP Photo/Craig Fujii 64th Academy Awards Host, Billy Crystal dons a Hannibal the Cannibal mask, left, in the audience with Anthony Hopkins
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1991 – Billy Crystal
Image Credit: P Photo/Reed Saxon 61st Academy Awards Host, Billy Crystal
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1990 – Billy Crystal
Image Credit: AP Photo/Reed Saxon 60th Academy Awards Host, Billy Crystal
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1988 – Chevy Chase
Image Credit: AP Photo/Reed Saxon 60th Academy Awards host Chevy Chase pulls up his pants at the 60th annual Oscars ceremony in Los Angeles after mock “mooning” the crowd. Chase kicked off the night by insulting the crowd: “Good evening, Hollywood phonies”
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1987 – Chevy Chase, Goldie Hawn, and Paul Hogan
Image Credit: AMPAS 59th Academy Awards Hosts, Chevy Chase, Goldie Hawn, and Paul Hogan
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1986 – Alan Alda, Jane Fonda, and Robin Williams
Image Credit: AMPAS 58th Academy Awards Hosts, Alan Alda, Jane Fonda, and Robin Williams
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1985 – Jack Lemmon, Co-hosts: Candice Bergen, Jeff Bridges, Glenn Close, Michael Douglas, Gregory Hines, William Hurt, Amy Irving, Diana Ross, Tom Selleck, and Kathleen Turner
Image Credit: Getty Images 57th Academy Awards Hosts, L-R: Tom Selleck, Amy Irving, Gregory Hines, Glenn Close, Candice Bergen, Jack Lemmon, Jeff Bridges, Michael Douglas, William Hurt, Diana Ross And Kathleen Turner
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1984 – Johnny Carson
Image Credit: Getty Images 56th Academy Awards Host, Johnny Carson
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1983 – Walter Matthau, Liza Minnelli, Dudley Moore, and Richard Pryor
Image Credit: Getty Images 55th Academy Awards Hosts, Walter Matthau, Liza Minnelli, Dudley Moore, and Richard Pryor
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1982 – Johnny Carson
Image Credit: Getty Images 54th Academy Awards Host, Johnny Carson
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1981 – Johnny Carson
Image Credit: Getty Images 53rd Academy Awards Host, Johnny Carson
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1980 – Johnny Carson
Image Credit: Getty Images 52nd Academy Awards Host, Johnny Carson
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1979 – Johnny Carson
Image Credit: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images 51st Academy Awards Host, Johnny Carson
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1978 – Bob Hope
Image Credit: Everett Collection 50th Academy Awards Host, Bob Hope
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1977 – Warren Beatty, Ellen Burstyn, Jane Fonda, and Richard Pryor
Image Credit: AMPAS s, Warren Beatty, Ellen Burstyn, Jane Fonda, and Richard Pryor
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1976 – Goldie Hawn, Gene Kelly, Walter Matthau, George Segal, and Robert Shaw
Image Credit: AMPAS 47th Academy Awards Hosts, Goldie Hawn, George Segal, Gene Kelly and Walter Matthau
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1975 – Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Hope, Shirley MacLaine, and Frank Sinatra
Image Credit: AMPAS 47th Academy Awards Hosts, Sammy Davis Jr., Bob Hope, Shirley MacLaine, and Frank Sinatra
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1974 – 4John Huston, David Niven, Burt Reynolds, and Diana Ross
Image Credit: AMPAS 46th Academy Awards Hosts, John Huston, David Niven, Burt Reynolds, and Diana Ross
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1973 – 45th Oscars: Carol Burnett, Michael Caine, Charlton Heston, and Rock Hudson
Image Credit: AMPAS 45th Academy Awards Hosts, Carol Burnett, Michael Caine, Charlton Heston, and Rock Hudson
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1972 – Sammy Davis Jr., Helen Hayes, Alan King, and Jack Lemmon
Image Credit: AMPAS 44th Academy Awards Hosts, Sammy Davis Jr., Helen Hayes, Alan King, and Jack Lemmon
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1965, 1966, 1967 & 1968 – Bob Hope
Image Credit: Everett Collection Bob Hope, hosted the the 37th, 38th, 39th and 40th Academy Awards presentation
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1964 – Jack Lemmon
Image Credit: Everett Collection 36th Academy Awards Host, Jack Lemmon
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1963 – Frank Sinatra
Image Credit: ABC Photo Archives/Disney General Entertainment Content via Getty Images 35th Academy Awards Host, Frank Sinatra
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1962 – Bob Hope
Image Credit: Gene Lester/Getty Images Host Bob Hope looks on, backstage at the Academy Awards, Santa Monica, California, April 9, 1962. Maximilian Schell won Best Actor for his role in director Stanley Kramer’s film, Judgment at Nuremberg, and Greer Garson accepted the Best Actress Oscar for Sophia Loren
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1961 – Bob Hope
Image Credit: AP Photo/stf Master of Ceremonies Bob Hope, center, poses with four Oscar winners after the Academy Awards ceremony in Santa Monica, Calif. on April 18, 1961. Photographed with Hope are, from left to right, British actor Peter Ustinov, best supporting actor for his role in Spartacus; Shirley Jones, best supporting actress for her role in Elmer Gantry; Elizabeth Taylor, best actress for her role in Butterfield 8; and Burt Lancaster, best actor for his role in Elmer Gantry
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1960 – Bob Hope
Image Credit: Paul W. Bailey/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images 32th Academy Awards Host, Bob Hope
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1959 – Bob Hope, Jerry Lewis, David Niven, Laurence Olivier, Tony Randall, and Mort Sahl
Image Credit: Everett Collection 31st Annual Academy Awards, more than 90 performers gather for the grand finale, on the stage of The Pantages Theatre
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1958 – Bob Hope, Jack Lemmon, David Niven, Rosalind Russell, James Stewart, and Donald Duck
Image Credit: AMPAS L-R: Bob Hope, Jack Lemmon, David Niven, Rosalind Russell, James Stewart
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1957 – Jerry Lewis (with Celeste Holm in New York)
Image Credit: Getty Images Jerry Lewis and Celeste Holm
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1956 – Jerry Lewis (with Claudette Colbert and Joseph L. Mankiewicz in New York)
Image Credit: Getty Images Actress Claudette Colbert kisses writer Paddy Chayefsky at the Century Theater in New York after presenting him with his Oscar which was awarded to him for his script on the film Marty, during ceremonies of the 28th annual Academy Awards Presentations made in Hollywood and New York
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1956 – Jerry Lewis (with Claudette Colbert and Joseph L. Mankiewicz in New York)
Image Credit: Everett Collection Host Jerry Lewis on stage at the Academy Awards at the Pantages Theater in Los Angeles
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1955 – Bob Hope (with Thelma Ritter in New York)
Image Credit: Getty Images Best Actor Winner for On the Waterfront, Marlon Brando, and host, Bob Hope, during the 27th Annual Academy Awards at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles
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1954 – Donald O’Connor (with Fredric March in New York)
Image Credit: NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal via Getty Images Host and actor Fredric March, Best Actress winner Audrey Hepburn for Roman Holiday, and actor Jean Hersholt during the 26th Annual Academy Awards on March 25, 1954 held at the NBC Century Theatre in New York City
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1954 – Donald O’Connor (with Fredric March in New York)
Image Credit: Earl Leaf/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images Host of the Academy Awards Donald O’Connor poses with winner Donna Reed for Actress in a Supporting Role
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1953 – Bob Hope (with Conrad Nagel in New York)
Image Credit: Getty Images Conrad Nagel at the 25th Annual Academy Awards New York ceremony held at the NBC International Theatre in New York City
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1953 – Bob Hope (with Conrad Nagel in New York)
Image Credit: John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images Filmmaker Cecil B DeMille holding his Best Picture Oscar for the film The Greatest Show on Earth, with a group of people including entertainer Bob Hope in the center
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1952 – Danny Kaye
Image Credit: Hulton Archive/Getty Images Left to right: actors Humphrey Bogart and Master of Ceremonies Danny Kaye, producer Arthur Freed, and director George Stevens pose with their Oscar trophies at the Academy Awards, Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
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1951 – Fred Astaire
Image Credit: AP Photo Left to right: Fred Astaire, Master of Ceremonies, Joe Makiewicz, who was a two-time winner for director and writer for All About Eve, Dr. Ralph Bunche, Darryl Zanuck, and President of the academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Charles Brackett
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1950 – Paul Douglas
Image Credit: Everett Collection From left, Oscar winners Mercedes McCambridge and director Robert Rossen for All The King’s Men, Dean Jagger for Twelve O’Clock, and Paul Douglas
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1949 – Robert Montgomery
Image Credit: Getty Images Actress Deborah Kerr, receives from Robert Montgomery the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences award for the best original motion picture story of the year. Miss Kerr accepted on behalf of Clemence Dane, whose Vacation From Marriage won the award
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1947 – Jack Benny
Image Credit: MPI/Getty Images American comedian Jack Benny
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1946 – Bob Hope and James Stewart
Image Credit: Everett Collection Bob Hope and James Stewart
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1945 – John Cromwell and Bob Hope
Image Credit: Everett Collection Bob Hope and Charles Coburn presenting Oscar for Best Actor to Barry Fitzgerald for Going My Way
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1944 – Jack Benny
Image Credit: Everett Collection Paul Lukas (center) with his Best Actor Academy Award for Watch Watch on the Rhine flanked by George Murphy (left) and Jack Benny
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1942 & 1943 – Bob Hope
Image Credit: CBS via Getty Images Bob Hope (L) is pictured at the CBS Radio broadcast and coverage of the 14th Academy Awards (the Oscars). Honoring movies released the previous year, 1941
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1941 – Bob Hope
Image Credit: Getty Images The 13th Annual Awards Dinner of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences at the Biltmore Hotel. (Left to right) James Stewart, Ginger Rogers, and comedian Bob Hope after winning their movie awards
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1940 – Bob Hope
Image Credit: Everett Collection Bob Hope
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1938 & 1939 – Bob Burns
Image Credit: Everett Collection Bob Burns hands Edgar Bergen a special Oscar for the creation of Charley McCarthy, while Frank Capra looks on
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1937 – George Jessel
Image Credit: Everett Collection Frank Capra who won the Best Director Award for Mr Deeds Goes to Town, Luise Rainer with her Best Actress Award for The Great Ziegfeld, host George Jessel at the Academy Awards ceremonies, 1937
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1936 – Frank Capra, Academy President
Image Credit: Getty Images Movie Director Frank Capra
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1935 – Irvin S. Cobb
Image Credit: Getty Images Irvin Cobb presents the statuette to Frank Capra, on behalf of the Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, for Best Direction for his work on It Happened One Night during the 1934 Academy Awards Ceremony
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1934 – Will Rogers
Image Credit: New York Times Co./Getty Images L-R: American sound engineer Franklin Hansen, actor and writer Will Rogers and Scottish-born director Frank Lloyd stand at the podium at the Academy Awards ceremony, Los Angeles, California
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1932 – Conrad Nagel, Academy President
Image Credit: Getty Images L-R: Wallace Beery, runner-up as the best actor, Lionell Barrymore winner of the best actor award last year, Conrad Nagel, President of the Academy and Frederic March, year’s best actor
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1931 – Lawrence Grant, Academy Governor – Actors Branch
Image Credit: Clarence Sinclair Bull/General Photographic Agency/Getty Images Lawrence Grant, the British character actor who mainly appeared in American films
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1930 – Conrad Nagel
Image Credit: John Kobal Foundation/Getty Images Norma Shearer receives a Best Actress Oscar from Conrad Nagel, for her role in The Divorcee. The two co-starred as lovers in the film, which was directed by Robert Z Leonard
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1930 – William C. deMille, Academy President
Image Credit: Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images William C. Demille, President Of The Academy Of Motion Picture Arts And Sciences (Centre) Hands The Oscar For Best Actress To Mary Pickford For Her Role In My Best Girl And Best Actor To Warner Baxter For Old Arizona (Right). The Author Hans Kraly (Left) Received The Award For Best Screenplay For The Patriot
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1929 – Douglas Fairbanks, Academy President, and William C. de Mille, Academy Vice President
Image Credit: Getty Images Douglas Fairbanks presents Janet Gaynor with the first Academy Award for Best Actress, for her work in Seventh Heaven, as well as Street Angel, and Sunrise, at the first Academy Awards in 1929
