People magazine's Sexiest Man Alive Hugh Jackman will host the 81st Academy Awards telecast, producer Laurence Mark and executive producer Bill Condon announced today. Hugh has presented before, but this will be his first time hosting.
"Hugh Jackman is a consummate entertainer and an internationally renowned movie star," said Mark and Condon in a joint statement. "He also has style, elegance and a sense of occasion. Hugh is the ideal choice to host a celebration of the year's movies – and to have fun doing it."
Hugh can currently be seen in the epic Australia, in which he stars with Nicole Kidman. His next film is X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Hugh did a good job hosting the Tony Awards. We're thinking he'll be singing and dancing a bit this Oscars. He's not a standup comedian, but he certainly can perform. He's a good choice as host.
The Academy Awards will be televised live on ABC on Sunday, February 22, 2009.
