Despite hosting the Academy Awards on three separate occasions, Hollywood veteran Steve Martin recently shared that he would not steer the Oscars again, citing insufficient compensation as a reason for his decision. “The Golden Globes pay, so they get Tina Fey and Amy [Poehler]. And Ricky Gervais.
The Oscars should pay,” he continued. “When you consider the amount of work, it’s at least several months of mental churning.” In addition to his claims that he did not receive payment, Martin said he had to prepare for his hosting engagements months in advance.
“And now I have a completely different life,” he shared. “I’m not as free. It’s a lot of work.
” He added with a laugh that the awards organisers have also not asked him to host the event again. The Emmy Award-winning actor hosted the annual telecast for the first time in March 2001, helming the stage of the Los Angeles Shrine Auditorium at the 73rd Academy Awards ceremony. Martin resumed his hosting duties at the 75th Academy Awards, held at the Dolby Theatre (then called the Kodak Theatre) in Hollywood on March 23, 2003—just three days after the United States invaded Iraq.
During his opening monologue, the actor took a humorous jab at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences—the organization responsible for the Oscars—for proceeding with the ceremony amidst the divisive war. In 2010, Martin made his return to the Oscars to co-host the film industry’s esteemed awards ceremony alongside ac.