Hugh Jackman to
Host Academy Awards

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences has announced that Australia star Hugh Jackman will host the 81st Academy Awards.

The affable Aussie will take over hosting duties from comedian Jon Stewart, who was emcee last year. Long a gay fan favorite, Jackman has starred in films including the X-Men seriesand Swordfish and Broadway's The Boy From Oz, which dramatized the life of gay singer-songwriter Peter Allen.

Jackman is no stranger to hosting duties, though. He won an Emmy in 2005 for hosting the 59th annual Tony Awards in 2004.

Hollywood's biggest night is scheduled for February 22 at Los Angeles's Kodak Theatre. (Neal Broverman, Advocate.com)