The entertainer will host the show for the ninth time in his career after recently telecast producers Brian Grazer and Don Mischer made the announcement on Thursday (10).

“Some of the best moments of my career have happened on the Oscar stage,” Crystal said. “I am thrilled to be back there. Actually, I am doing this so that the young woman in my pharmacy will stop asking me my name when I pick up my prescriptions.”

“I’m thrilled to welcome Billy back to the Oscar stage,” Academy president Tom Sherak said. “He’s a comic legend and Oscar icon, and it feels good to have him back where he belongs.”

“Like so many others, I’ve been eager to see Billy host again,” Grazer said. It’s very gratifying that he agreed to do it with Don and me at the helm.”

“With Billy, we’re moving forward with one of the greatest hosts in Oscar history,” Mischer added. “ is return to the Oscars® is, in a sense, a celebration.”

Crystal last hosted the Academy Awards in 2004 and stepped in following a dramatic week in which Eddie Murphy resigned after his friend Brett Ratner stepped down from his role as telecast producer in the wake of his gay slur uttered during a Q&A for Tower Heist last week.

Ratner has since apologise and will participate in a series of public discussions organised by GLAAD on the LGBT profile in Hollywood.

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