The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announced Wednesday, Oct. 15, that Neil Patrick Harris is set to host the Oscars on Feb. 22, 2015, TV Guide reported.
"We are thrilled to have Neil host the Oscars," Craig Zadan and Neil Meron, who will be producing the show for the third year in a row, said in statement, according to The Hollywood Reporter. "We have known him his entire adult life, and we have watched him explode as a great performer in feature films, television and stage. To work with him on the Oscars is the perfect storm, all of his resources and talent coming together on a global stage."
Academy president Cheryl Boone Isaacs commented, "We share Craig and Neil's excitement in welcoming the incredibly talented Neil Patrick Harris. He is the consummate entertainer. Neil's distinctive charm and showmanship make him the ideal host to honor the Oscar legacy and ensure we all enjoy another unforgettable celebration."
"It is truly an honor and a thrill to be asked to host this year's Academy Awards," said the 41-year-old actor best known for playing Barney Stinson in the CBS hit comedy drama "How I Met Your Mother." "I grew up watching the Oscars and was always in such awe of some of the greats who hosted the show. To be asked to follow in the footsteps of Johnny Carson, Billy Crystal, Ellen DeGeneres, and everyone else who had the great fortune of hosting is a bucket list dream come true."
As pointed out by Rolling Stone, Harris shared the big news with his social media followers via a video (shown below) on MobyPicture, in which he answers his cell phone and says, "I'm in. Nice." The camera then scrolls down "NPH's Bucket List," which was written on a pad of paper. Items on it include, "Jump out of a plane," "Move to NYC," "Win a Tony Award," "Perform with Muppets," "Bungee Jump," Rap with Snoop Dogg," and "Have children," among many others. All are crossed out except for the bottom item: "Host the Oscars," which he circles at the end of the 25-second clip.
While this will be Harris' first time to host the Oscars, he is no stranger to hosting televised events. The father of twins has already hosted the Emmy Awards twice and the Tony Awards four times. In fact, he won four Emmys for Outstanding Special Class Program for each time he hosted the Tony Awards.
And though he has never been nominated for an Oscar, Harris had previously appeared on the Academy Awards in 2010 when he sang the show's opening number.