ROCK TO ROCK THE 77th OSCAR(r) TELECAST ON THE ABC TELEVISION NETWORK

Chris Rock will host the 77th Academy Awards telecast, producer Gil Cates announced today. This will be Rock's first stint as Oscar host. The 77th Oscar(r) telecast will air on SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 27, 2005 on the ABC Television Network.

"I am a huge fan of Chris Rock," said Cates. "He always makes me laugh and he always has something interesting to say. Chris represents the best of the new generation of comics. Having him host the Oscars is terrific. I can't wait."

Rock made his screen debut in "Beverly Hills Cop II" and became a comic to watch when he spent three years on the cast of "Saturday Night Live." His transformation into a comic cultural force, though, came with a series of HBO specials, including 1996's "Bring the Pain," which won him ecstatic reviews nationwide, as well as Emmys for Writing and Outstanding Special.

Rock currently is shooting "The Longest Yard" with Adam Sandler, and recently provided the voice of the zebra in the animated feature "Madagascar," both to be released in May 2005. His other film credits include "Head of State," "Bad Company," "Down to Earth," "Nurse Betty" and "Dogma."

He also recently completed the North American portion of his "Black Ambition Tour," and hosted the "20th MTV Video Music Awards" in 2003. He has won three Emmy Awards and two Grammy Awards for his work, and is also the author of Rock This!

The ceremonies honoring 2004 achievements in motion pictures will be held on Sunday, February 27, 2005 on the ABC Television Network. The 77th Annual Academy Awards Presentation will be broadcast live from the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland by the ABC Television Network, beginning at 5:00 p.m., PT with a network arrivals show.

Editors: Please note that downloadable photos of Chris Rock are available at http://photos.oscars.org