7 best Oscars host candidates after Jimmy Kimmel, John Mulaney pass on 2025 show
The dream of John Mulaney hosting the Oscars has been delayed again. So who's up next?
Jimmy Kimmel will not return to host the Academy Awards for a third straight year — and fifth time overall — after reportedly passing on the 2025 gig.
According to Puck News’ Matthew Belloni, Kimmel informed the Oscars he is passing on the chance to play host next March, and so is another big name many assumed would take up the mantle: John Mulaney.
Per Belloni:
After Kimmel passed, the Academy then wanted John Mulaney, which I believe I predicted in this space after his very funny presenter bit at this year’s show and a well-received turn hosting the Governors Awards. But Mulaney is already committed to several projects in the winter and spring, and Netflix will probably pick up more of his Everybody’s in L.A. talk show, so he passed due to schedule.
MORE: The 5 best modern Oscar hosts, including Billy Crystal
So with the most reliable and most popular hosting candidates dropping out, who’s up next? We’ve got seven ideas that would make for an incredible show.
1. Trevor Noah
LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA – FEBRUARY 04: Host Trevor Noah speaks onstage during the 66th GRAMMY Awards at Crypto.com Arena on February 04, 2024 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Kevin Winter/Getty Images for The Recording Academy)
You’d have to imagine the former host of The Daily Show is near the top of any list to host the Oscars. Aside from the necessary basics (great on TV, comfortable in a room full of celebrities and often in on the joke), he’s got plenty of experience from his duties hosting The Grammys each of the last four years.
2. Tom Hanks
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 13: Tom Hanks attends the “Asteroid City” New York Premiere at Alice Tully Hall on June 13, 2023 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images)
America’s Dad knows the Academy quite well, having been nominated six times and winning twice (going back-to-back with Best Actor Oscars for Philadelphia and Forrest Gump). He can do comedic bits, he can handle the serious moments and he’s someone people are genuinely happy to be around most of the time.
As a bonus, imagine a segment with Chet Hanks continuing to explain modern pop culture to his out-of-touch father. That alone would be a must-see moment.
3. Quinta Brunson
US actress Quinta Brunson arrives for the 81st annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on January 7, 2024. (Photo by Michael TRAN / AFP) (Photo by MICHAEL TRAN/AFP via Getty Images)
The Abbott Elementary star is at the top of her game right now and it’s hard to argue there’s a better network comedy showrunner. ABC, which airs both Abbott and the Oscars, would be wise to try to stay in-house and let Quinta write and host the show — but that’s also asking her to make a pretty large time commitment in the middle of the year.
4. Ryan Reynolds and Hugh Jackman
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – FEBRUARY 28: Hugh Jackman and Ryan Reynolds attends “The Adam Project” New York Premiere on February 28, 2022 in New York City. (Photo by Dia Dipasupil/FilmMagic)
Deadpool & Wolverine may not win any Oscars in 2025, but the duo have already shattered box office expectations to the tune of the highest opening weekend for any R-rated film domestically and worldwide ($444.6 million) and the film may just win the box office this year.
The close friends are comedic gold and at least one of them won’t have any problem mocking the celebrity attendees (or himself) in Deadpool’s signature tone. Jackman, meanwhile, has plenty of hosting experience — including the Oscars in 2009.
5. Larry David
Sep 18, 2016; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Larry David presents the award for Outstanding Comedy Series during 68th Emmy Awards at the Microsoft Theater. Mandatory Credit: Robert Hanashiro-USA TODAY
Put Larry David on stage and let him complain about all the movies he didn’t get to see in theaters, or extoll the joys of streaming everything at home. Now that we know Curb Your Enthusiasm is over for good, it’s the perfect time for David to take over hosting the Oscars. He won’t have any trouble telling people to get off stage if their speech goes over the time limit, either.
6. Kristen Wiig
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 04: Kristen Wiig attends The Inaugural Gotham TV Awards at Cipriani 25 Broadway on June 04, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Jamie McCarthy/Getty Images for The Gotham Film & Media Institute)
The good thing about getting a former cast member of Saturday Night Live to host is that you rarely need to worry about their ability to think on their feet or execute a sketch. Wiig’s profile in Hollywood has risen steadily since leaving SNL, she’s ready for this moment if the Academy comes calling.
7. Andy Cohen
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JUNE 12: Andy Cohen attends Storytellers – Andy Cohen In Conversation with Anderson Cooper during the 2024 Tribeca Festival at BMCC Theater on June 12, 2024 in New York City. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images for Tribeca Festival)
Certainly the man who built the Real Housewives franchise will know how to get people tuning into a live awards show, but it’s Cohen’s ability to connect with his audience that stands out more than any of the antics on his shows. The 56-year-old understands modern audiences in a way few in the industry do. He might not be a name that draws in extra viewers, but you’d have to feel confident in the product with Cohen at the helm.