Martin to present 75th Academy Awards

Comic actor Steve Martin is to host the 75th Academy Awards next year.

Gil Cates, producer of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ annual presentation telecast, announced that Martin will make his second appearance as host of the Oscars.

“The 75th Anniversary show is a meaningful one for the Academy, and it is wonderful to work with a host who’s done it before,” Cates said.

“A host who’s witty, clever, sharp, intelligent, quick on his feet and always on top of the unfolding action. Wait, I’ve forgotten something – oh yeah, and outrageously funny.

“He’s also a gentleman, a gentle man and a delight to work with.”

Martin said: “I’m very pleased to be hosting the Oscars again, because fear and nausea always make me lose weight.”

Martin recently completed filming the Disney comedy Bringing Down the House. He next starts work on Shopgirl which was adapted for the screen from his own best-selling novel.

The 75th Oscars are presented on Sunday, March 23, 2003, at the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.