WASHINGTON — Conan O’Brien is preparing to take the stage Sunday to host the 97th Annual Academy Awards for the first time. The late-night comedian steps into a role previously held by some of Hollywood’s biggest names.
Sunday’s Academy Awards, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, will bring to a close one of the most unpredictable Oscar races in recent memory.
How much do Oscars hosts get paid?
While the salary for an Oscar host isn’t typically disclosed and varies depending on who takes the gig, previous hosts have hinted at what the paycheck entails. In 2022, Wanda Sykes and Jimmy Kimmel chatted about their Oscars pay in an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live.
Sykes, who co-hosted the 2022 Oscars with Amy Schumer and Regina Hall, shared that she didn’t know how much she was being paid but assumed it was at least the “scale” rate, a minimum set by the SAG-AFTRA union.
Kimmel revealed he was paid $15,000 for hosting the Oscars, which he described as being less than the scale rate. Despite the modest pay, the job involves significant preparation and is more than just a one-night commitment, the two explained.
“I got paid $15,000 to host the Oscars. And there’s one of me! You guys will probably have to split that,” Kimmel replied to Sykes. “Which sounds like a lot for one night but it’s months of work leading up to it.”
Conan O’Brien’s salary for tonight’s Oscars remains undisclosed, however, the hosting gig offers significant exposure and is a major career milestone for any host.
When do the Oscars air?
The 2025 Academy Awards will air on ABC and will also be available to stream live on Hulu on Sunday, March 2, at 7 p.m. EST.