Jackman is named 2009 Oscars host

BEVERLY HILLS , Calif., Dec. 12 (UPI) -- Australian actor Hugh Jackman has agreed to preside over the upcoming 81st Academy Awards show in Los Angeles, the telecast's producers said.

Producer Laurence Mark and executive producer Bill Condon made the announcement Friday.

This will be Jackman's first time center stage at the Oscar show, although he has previously been a presenter. Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2008 are to be presented Feb. 22 at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center and televised live by the ABC Television Network.

"Hugh Jackman is a consummate entertainer and an internationally renowned movie star," Mark and Condon said in a joint statement. "He also has style, elegance and a sense of occasion. Hugh is the ideal choice to host a celebration of the year's movies -- and to have fun doing it."

Jackman stars in the current release "Australia" and will next be seen in "X-Men Origins: Wolverine." His other film credits include the "X-Men" trilogy, "The Prestige," "Flushed Away," "The Fountain," "Happy Feet," "Van Helsing," "Kate & Leopold" and "Swordfish."

He also won the 2004 Tony Award for Best Actor in a Musical for his performance in "The Boy from Oz" and an Emmy Award in 2005 for his work as host of the Tony Awards ceremony.