Chris Rock has been confirmed as the host of next year’s Oscars, producers David Hill and Reginald Hudlin announced on Wednesday.
The 88th Academy Awards will be broadcast live Sunday, Feb. 28, 2016, on ABC. Rock previously hosted the 77th Oscar telecast in 2005.
“I’m so glad to be hosting the Oscars,” said Rock. “It’s great to be back.”
“Chris Rock is truly the MVP of the entertainment industry,” said Hill and Hudlin. “Comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, documentarian — he’s done it all. He’s going to be a phenomenal Oscar host!”
Rock recently directed the comedy special “Amy Schumer: Live at the Apollo,” which premiered on HBO this month. In 2014, he wrote, directed and starred in “Top Five,” and also wrote and produced the documentary “Good Hair” in 2009.
His screen credits include “I Think I Love My Wife,” “Death at a Funeral,” the first three films in the “Madagascar” series, “The Longest Yard” and “Lethal Weapon 4.”
Last year, when TheWrap‘s Steve Pond asked Rock if he’d ever host the big night again, he said, “Oh yeah. If they asked me, yeah, I’d definitely do it again. Definitely definitely.”
Look who’s back. #Oscars. pic.twitter.com/7TkkrDpSJM
— Chris Rock (@chrisrock) October 21, 2015