Ellen DeGeneres returns to host the Oscars

Television star Ellen DeGeneres will return to host the Oscars for a second time, producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today. The Academy Awards will be broadcast live on "Oscar Sunday," March 2, 2014, on the ABC Television Network.

"We are thrilled to have Ellen DeGeneres host the Oscars," said Zadan and Meron. "As a longtime friend, we had always hoped to find a project for us to do together, and nothing could be more exciting than teaming up to do the Oscars. There are few stars today who have Ellen's gift for comedy, with her great warmth and humanity. She is beloved everywhere and we expect that the audience at the Dolby Theatre, and in homes around the globe, will be as excited by this news as we are."

"I am so excited to be hosting the Oscars for the second time. You know what they say: The third time's the charm," DeGeneres said.

"I agreed with Craig and Neil immediately that Ellen is the ideal host for this year's show," said Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Academy president. "We're looking forward to an entertaining, engaging and fun show."

DeGeneres hosted the 79th Academy Awards in 2007, for which she received a Primetime Emmy nomination for "Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program."

DeGeneres has made a home for herself in daytime with her hit syndicated talk show, "The Ellen DeGeneres Show," which has earned a total of 45 Daytime Emmys during its 10 seasons.

DeGeneres' began her career as an emcee at a local comedy club in her hometown of New Orleans. Her acting career in television included roles in several successful sitcoms before being offered a part on "These Friends of Mine" by ABC. After the first season, the show was renamed "Ellen." Running from 1994-98, the show garnered record ratings, with DeGeneres receiving Emmy nominations each season in the Best Actress category. In 1997, DeGeneres was the recipient of the coveted Peabody Award as well as earning an Emmy Award.

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2013 will be presented on March 2 at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center and televised live on ABC. The presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries and territories worldwide.