Chris Rock photographed at an event in New York. (image courtesy: AFP)
US comedian and actor Chris Rock will return to host the Oscars in February for a second time, organizers announced on October 21.
"Chris Rock is truly the MVP of the entertainment industry," David Hill and Reginald Hudlin, the producers of the show that will be held February 28 in Los Angeles, said in a statement.
"Comedian, actor, writer, producer, director, documentarian - he's done it all. He's going to be a phenomenal Oscar host," they added.
Chris, 50, a veteran of
Saturday Night Live and star of several films, confirmed his appearance with a tweet:
He last hosted the Oscars in 2005 when
Million Dollar Baby won the Best Picture award. He got mixed reviews, with some panning his performance and others praising his biting humor. (Also Read:
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Many at the time took offense to his attacks against several actors including Jude Law and Colin Farrell.
Chris most recently wrote and starred in rom-com
Top Five and directed Amy Schumer's stand-up comedy special on HBO.
Last year's Oscars was hosted by Neil Patrick Harris, who struggled through the show. It was the lowest-rated Oscars telecast in six years.