“I am so excited to be hosting the Oscars for the second time. You know what they say – the third time’s the charm,” said DeGeneres.
“I agreed with Craig and Neil immediately that Ellen is the ideal host for this year’s show,” said Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Academy president. “We’re looking forward to an entertaining, engaging and fun show.”
DeGeneres has made a home for herself in daytime with her syndicated talk show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, which has earned a total of 45 Daytime Emmys during its 10 seasons. Her career began as an emcee at a local comedy club in her hometown of New Orleans. Her acting career in television included roles in several successful sitcoms before being offered a part on These Friends of Mine by ABC. After the first season, the show was renamed Ellen. Running from 1994 to 1998, the show garnered record ratings, with DeGeneres receiving Emmy nominations each season in the best actress category. In 1997, DeGeneres was the recipient of the coveted Peabody Award as well as earning an Emmy for writing the critically acclaimed “Puppy Episode” when her character came out as a gay woman to a record 46 million viewers.
Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on March 2, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center and televised live on the ABC Television Network.
