
Hugh Jackman, the reigning Sexiest Man Alive, has been chosen to host the 81st annual Academy Awards ceremony, to take place Feb. 22
The Australia star, 40, who'll be hosting the Oscars for the first time, was selected "because we want the ceremony to be fun," says Laurence Mark, producer of the telecast.
"He can hold the screen and he can hold a stage. It doesn't hurt that he looks amazing in a tuxedo and he's the Sexiest Man Alive."
Wow, is that all it takes to be an Oscar host? How the hell did Bob Hope and Billy Crystal manage to get the gig so many times? And don't get me started on Whoopi...
Jackman won an Emmy in 2005 for hosting the 59th annual Tony Awards in 2004. He was also nominated as host of the Tonys in 2005.
ABC will broadcast the Oscar ceremony live from the Kodak Theatre in Los Angeles on Feb. 22.