COMEDIAN Anthony Anderson could potentially host the Oscars following Jimmy Kimmel’s decision to step down.
Network bosses consider Anderson, who starred in ABC’s hit show Black-ish, a solid bet to host Hollywood’s biggest night.
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Sources told USA that Sun Kimmel and his team have also “privately endorsed” Anderson, 53, as the face of the event.
Anderson was critically praised for his work hosting the Emmy Awards earlier this year.
“Anthony is beloved across the network, both as an actor and as a performer,” an ABC source revealed.
“He is respected, easy to get along with, a great collaborator and friend to many of Hollywood’s top stars.
Read more about Jimmy Kimmel
“He is on the list to present the Oscar, especially after his performance at the Emmys.
“Hollywood celebrities love seeing him live as he has a talent for being sassy rather than sarcastic, with many of them in his jokes,” the source added.
“Its appeal to audiences across many age groups is also a big plus.
“He is seen by many on the network as being in the hot seat.”
After the Emmys in January, the media asked Anderson about a possible Oscar night gig.
“I would love to host another one. You’ll have to ask the Academy that,” he replied.
PASSING THE TORCH
In addition to endorsing his friend, Kimmel also hopes that one day his friend will take over his spot on his late-night talk show.
Sources revealed that Kimmel, who recently teased that he only has two years left on his “final contract,” believes Anderson would be an excellent successor.
Celebrities who presented the most Oscars
- Jimmy Kimmel, Whoopi Goldberg, Jack Lemmon – 4 times
- Steve Martin, Jerry Lewis, David Niven – 3 times
“Anthony has Jimmy’s support in accepting the Oscar gig and also feels he would make a great attempt at his late-night role when he leaves,” the source explained.
“Jimmy and his production team rate Anthony highly and feel that being a late-night host allows him to showcase his stand-up comedy skills and his natural gift for being funny and smart on screen.
“Jimmy loves having him as a guest, often allowing him much longer time slots than other talent.
“The fact that he has hosted at your place more than a dozen times also says a lot. It didn’t go unnoticed how smooth the transition was and how much laughter the audience had during the recordings,” they added.
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DEACTIVING
It was revealed earlier this week that Kimmel and John Mulaney, 41, refused to host the 2025 Oscars from the Dolby Theatre.
Kimmel, 56, has hosted the Oscars four times, including the last two shows.
His return came after the awards show was without a master of ceremonies from 2019 to 2021 and was led by actors Regina Hall, Wanda Sykes and Amy Schumer in 2022.
His hosting stint last March drew the highest ratings the Oscars have seen in the last four years.
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In addition to opting out of the upcoming show, Kimmel also recently suggested that his days on Jimmy Kimmel Live may be over.
“I think this is my final contract,” he admitted to Los Angeles Times.
“I hate even saying that, because everyone is laughing at me now – every time I think that, and then it turns out that’s not the case.”
He noted that the show’s 21st anniversary seemed like a potentially satisfying ending.
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“I still have just over two years left on my contract and that’s looking pretty good,” he said.
“That seems enough.”
ANDERSON’S ACQUISITION
Anderson was a guest host on Kimmel just two weeks ago, where he talked about the attempted assassination of Trump.
“I wonder what Jimmy Kimmel is going to say about this on Monday. And then I was like, ‘Oh, shit, I’m Jimmy Kimmel on Monday,'” he joked at the start of the episode.
Anderson urged America to step back “from all the hate and vitriol in our politics and perhaps relax.”
In addition to hosting, Anderson starred as Andre “Dre” Johnson on the beloved ABC sitcom Black-ish, which ran for eight seasons.
The actor has received 11 Primetime Emmy Award nominations and three Golden Globe nominations.
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This story originally appeared on The-sun.com read the full story
