Memorable Oscar hosts

Serving as host of the Academy Awards can be one of Hollywood's toughest gigs. The actor, comedian, talk show host or performer typically chosen must walk a fine line. Here's a look at some of the more memorable Academy Awards hosts over the years.

Chris Rock

With deft timing and a blend of humour and commentary, host Chris Rock spent much of the 2016 Oscars referring to the fact that every acting nominee was white for the second year running, a development that led to the #OscarsSoWhite backlash. Rock referred to the Oscars as the "White People's Choice Awards," and noted that if they had nominated potential hosts, "I wouldn't have this job. You'd all be watching Neil Patrick Harris right now."

Neil Patrick Harris

Multi-talented actor, comedian, singer, actor and magician Neil Patrick Harris added Oscars host to his resume in 2015. Harris, known for his quick wit and musical chops, has performed at awards shows numerous times, including the Emmy Awards twice and the Tony Awards four times. That year, Harris also noted the Oscars' lack of diversity, with a tongue-in-cheek Broadway-style number that poked fun at the show's lack of diversity.

Ellen Degeneres

Ellen Degeneres' star-studded selfie tweeted during the 2014 Oscars racked up more than one million retweets in less than an hour, becoming the first Twitter image ever to hit the one million mark.

Seth MacFarlane

Family Guy creator Seth MacFarlane's edgy comedy proved a polarizing force on the 2013 Academy Awards, with jokes about domestic violence, women's bodies and Jews in Hollywood that offended some viewers. He was asked on Twitter whether he'd consider hosting the Academy Awards again and he replied: "No way. Lotta fun to have done it, though."

Steve Martin

Steve Martin has hosted the Oscars twice solo and once with Alec Baldwin in 2010. On hosting, he noted, "Hosting is like making love to a beautiful woman; it's something I only get to do when Billy Crystal is out of town."

Billy Crystal

Billy Crystal has hosted the Oscars nine times. Here, he hides behind the podium as he hosts the 70th annual Academy Awards in 2008. 

Whoopi Goldberg

Whoopi Goldberg has hosted the Oscars on six occasions, including a 1999 appearance dressed as Queen Elizabeth I. 

David Niven

1974's Oscar co-host David Niven kept things moving along when, just before the announcement of best picture, streaker Robert Opel ran across the stage, flashing a peace sign to the audience. As Opel left the stage Niven noted, "Isn't it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings?"

Bob Hope

Hollywood giant Bob Hope hosted the show 18 times, including the first telecast ceremony in 1953.  Hope most recently made an Oscars appearance when he appeared as a hologram during the Visual Effects awards in 2011.

The 89th Academy Awards take place Feb. 26 at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood, with late-night host Jimmy Kimmel as MC.