The first time a Black entertainer ever hosted the Oscars happened 48 years ago. Sammy Davis Jr., a well-rounded entertainer that took show business by storm for nearly six decades, hosted the 44th Annual Academy Awards in April 1972, alongside Hollywood heavy-hitters Alan King, Jack Lemmon, and Helen Hayes.
Broadcasting live on NBC from Hollywood, Davis’ debut as host on the show occurred the same year that Issac Hayes won an Oscar in the category of “Best Song in a Motion Picture” for Shaft. The Rat Pack member was particularly thrilled by Hayes’ victory, giving him a delightful pat on the back as they crossed paths on the stage.
It was also the same year that a brunette Jane Fonda won for “Best Actress,” Gene Hackman won for “Best Actor,” the film The French Connection won “Best Picture,” and veteran entertainer Charlie Chaplin received an extended standing ovation whilst obtaining his honorary golden statue. Davis was inserted in the program to introduce the presenters in the award segments for “Best Art Direction,” “Best Original Dramatic Score,” and “Best Film Editing.”
He later returned to host the 47th Annual Academy Awards in 1975 with Shirley MacLaine, Bob Hope, and close industry friend Frank Sinatra. That year, an absentee Robert De Niro won the Oscar for “Best Supporting Actor” for his role in The Godfather Part II.
As he did at the 44th ceremony, Davis appeared mid-show to introduce “Best Art Direction,” an unforgettable moment that involved a young O.J. Simpson presenting the award to contributors of The Godfather Part II. A hysterically funny Davis also introduced presenters in the categories of “Best Cinematography” and “Best Film Editing,” before closing out the show with a musical number that included all hosts of the night.
The very first Academy Awards ceremony took place in 1929. Prior to Davis as host, the grand stage was primarily occupied by White male entertainers such as Will Rogers, Jerry Lewis, and Bob Hope, who hosted the event a record-breaking 19 times, surpassing other repeat hosts including Billy Crystal (9), Johnny Carson (5), Jimmy Kimmel (3), and Steve Martin (3).
Indeed, Davis opened doors for other Black entertainers to host the highly-esteemed show. Two years after Davis’ Oscar debut, the Academy recruited singer and actress Diana Ross for the 46th annual award show.
She was followed by legendary comedian Richard Pryor, appearing as host in 1977 and 1983, and multi-hyphen talent Whoopi Goldberg, who would go on to host the ceremony four times, a record number for Black women entertainers.
Chris Rock, a comedian that may always be attached to the Oscars ceremony for the infamous debacle with actor Will Smith in 2022, the year that Regina Hall, Wanda Sykes, and Amy Schumer co-hosted, took on hosting duties at the 77th Oscars in 2005 and the 88th Oscars in 2016.
An incredible talent, Davis made a significant impact on the entertainment industry as a comedian, singer, actor, and live performer. He was nominated for the Emmy, Grammy, Tony, and Golden Globe awards and later, would win an Emmy for “Outstanding Variety, Music or Comedy Special” the year of his death in 1990.
In 2001, he would receive a posthumous Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award, adding to his extensive accolades. The self-taught entertainer that started his career as a child documented his life in the autobiographies Yes I Can: The Story of Sammy Davis, Jr. and Why Me, released in 1965 and 1989, respectively.
