Kevin Hart Will 'Rise To The Occasion' As Host Of The 2019 Oscars

The envelope please! The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has finally settled on a host for the prestigious February ceremony, and the honor goes to... Kevin Hart!


"For years I've Been asked if I would ever host the Oscars and my response was habitually the same," the comedian started a Instagram post announcing the big news. "I mentioned that it could be the possibility of a lifetime for me as a comedian and that it will happen any time it's suppose[d] to."


And soon after years of campaigning for the job, that time has arrived. "I am so happy to mention that the day has finally come for me to host the Oscars," he wrote. (Clearly, the Academy was impressed by Hart's acting skills opposite Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson and Nick Jonas in last winter's Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and his comedic chemistry with Tiffany Haddish in September's Night School. Or perhaps by his and The Rock's stellar hosting stint at the MTV Movie Awards in 2016.)


In true acceptance speech-fashion, Hart then took a moment to resemble on achieving "a objective on my list for a long time" and joining the "legendary list of host[s] that have graced that stage" — A list that includes Jimmy Kimmel, Billy Crystal, Steve Martin, Ellen DeGeneres, Chris Rock, Neil Patrick Harris, Anne Hathaway and James Franco, and several more.


He rounded out the post by shouting out his late mom and thanking his family member, companions, and fans. "I will be sure to prepare this year[']s Oscars a special one," he vowed, and signed off with, right now it is time to rise to the occasion."