November 7, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dawn Newell - (310) 247-3000
                       dnewell@oscars.org

Steve Martin to Host 75th Academy Awards^®

Beverly Hills, CA - Steve Martin will host the 75th Anniversary Academy Awards, Gil Cates, producer of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' annual presentation telecast, announced today.

	Steve Martin

"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."

This will be Martin's second appearance as Oscar^® telecast host. He first served as ringleader of the live broadcast in March 2001, for the 73rd Academy Awards. In addition, Martin has served as a presenter on six shows and introduced a Best Picture clip on the 69th telecast in 1997. He also participated in a gag film sequence for the 67th show in 1995.

"I'm very pleased to be hosting the Oscars again, because fear and nausea always make me lose weight," said Martin.

Martin recently completed filming the Disney comedy "Bringing Down the House," with co-stars Queen Latifah and Eugene Levy. The film is due out this spring. He begins "Shopgirl," adapted for the screen by Martin from his own best-selling novella, in January. Along with Martin, the film will star Claire Danes and Jimmy Fallon, under the direction of Anand Tucker. His next novel, 'The Pleasure of My Company,' will be published next fall by Hyperion.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2002 will be presented on Sunday, March 23, 2003, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland^® and televised live by the ABC Television Network beginning at 5:30 p.m. PST. A half-hour arrival segment will precede the presentation ceremony at 5 p.m.