Conan O’Brien is set to pull off a hosting trick and return to host the Academy Awards for a third consecutive year in 2027.
The Academy made the announcement on Tuesday, May 12, confirming that the 63-year-old comedian will emcee the 99th annual Academy Awards.
This rare move follows O’Brien’s critically acclaimed turns in 2025 and 2026, which saw the ceremony’s TV ratings hit a five-year high.
The decision to bring back the former Late evening star was met with high praise from industry leaders.
Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group, noted that Conan has created “remarkable energy” around the broadcast, describing his comedic voice as a key factor in making Hollywood’s biggest night one of the year’s most entertaining celebrations.
O’Brien will be reunited with executive producers Raj Kapoor and Katy Mullan, who are returning for their fourth consecutive year and have praised him as a “true creative partner.”
O’Brien has famously joked about his recurring role, and he previously expressed that the only reason he accepted the gig in 2026 was to hear actor Adrien Brody finally finish his record-breaking acceptance speech.
Beyond the jokes, however, the role has a deeply personal meaning for the host.
O’Brien has said that seeing his late father, Dr. Thomas O’Brien laughing at Johnny Carson hosting the Academy Awards was a formative experience.
After his father’s death in December 2024, O’Brien admitted that being part of the same legacy feels like an amazing “cosmic” link to his father.
