NEWSHugh Jackman to Host Academy Awards
Dec. 12 2008, Published 5:49 a.m. ET
The Oscars is getting a sexy new host---
Hugh Jackman, who was voted this year's Sexiest Man Alive--will host the 81st Academy Awards, it was confirmed on Friday.
The 40-year-old Australia star is no stranger to hosting award shows. In 2004, Jackman hosted the 59th annual Tony Awards, for which he won an Emmy a year later.
His choice as this year's Oscars host is part of the ceremony's new look and feel. The show will have new producers as well as a new set director. Jackman's selection is also a departure from the Academy's standard of big-game comedians.
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Past show hosts have included Billy Crystal, Ellen DeGeneres, Jon Stewart and Whoopi Goldberg.
Jackman was nominated for a Golden Globe for his role in 2001's Kate & Leopold. He currently stars in the big budget epic Australia, co-starring Nicole Kidman.
