Conan O'Brien will return as the host of the Academy Awards for a third consecutive year, Disney announced Tuesday.
"Conan has created remarkable energy around the Oscars," said Craig Erwich, president of Disney Television Group. "His singular comedic voice makes Hollywood's biggest night one of the most entertaining celebrations of the year."
Conan has become a familiar presence at the ceremony since taking over hosting duties, mixing sharp jokes with a self-aware, offbeat style. At the 2026 ceremony, he joked about Timothée Chalamet’s controversial comments on ballet and opera and appeared in a sketch dressed as Aunt Gladys from Weapons.
Ahead of this year's Academy Awards, he told Good Morning America he tested material for his monologues in surprise stand-up sets at small clubs. “The crowds really like it, because I’m a surprise, so they don’t know that I’m gonna show up,” he said, adding that some of the venues were unusual: "Some of these are very far-flung comedy clubs. They're also a bowling alley. They're also a car rental place."
Conan offered an unconventional explanation for his approach, saying: "There’s a little bearded Viking inside me. He's been there since I was 10 years old. And when that Viking decides on something — whether it's replacing David Letterman with no experience, skiing some advanced slope I have no business going down or hosting the Oscars, that’s what’s going to happen."
The 99th Academy Awards will air live on ABC, Hulu and Crave on March 14, 2027 at 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT. ~Megan Parsons