Conan O'Brien hosts the Oscars, honoring a poignant connection to his late father and their shared memories of Johnny Carson.
- March 12, 2026
AceShowbiz - Conan O'Brien is set to host the 98th Academy Awards this Sunday, marking his second time as Oscar host. As he prepares for the event, O'Brien reflects on the profound connection the role creates between him and his late father, Dr. Thomas O'Brien, who passed away in 2024 at the age of 95.
During a recent pre-Oscars press conference, O'Brien shared how hosting the Oscars allows him to revisit memories of his childhood and his relationship with his father. He recalled how, as a kid, he often wondered what his dad was interested in and how he might connect with him.
"My dad loved watching Johnny Carson," O'Brien explained. "Sometimes I would stay up late just to watch Johnny with him. I distinctly remember watching Johnny Carson host the Oscars and seeing my father laugh. It struck me how that man was making my dad laugh, and that was something special."
Hosting the Oscars himself feels like a continuation of that experience for O'Brien, creating a cosmic link between him and his father through comedy and the ceremony. This connection is especially meaningful considering his father’s passing only last year.
Dr. Thomas O'Brien was a pioneering epidemiologist, and his wife of 66 years, Ruth Reardon O'Brien, a trailblazing attorney, died just three days apart at their home in Brookline, Massachusetts. Conan O'Brien has spoken about how deeply impactful his father was, describing him as one of the most fascinating people he has ever known.
As O'Brien prepares to host the Oscars during a tense global backdrop, including the ongoing war with Iran, he recalled a memorable moment from Johnny Carson's Oscar hosting days. In 1980, during the Iran hostage crisis, Carson cracked a topical joke about the ceremony running long, saying, "Well, it is day 444 of this Oscars," cleverly tying the event to the ongoing situation. This joke resonated deeply, uniting the audience with humor amid difficult times.
The upcoming 98th Academy Awards will air Sunday at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC. For O'Brien, the role is far more than just hosting an awards show—it is a way to honor his father’s memory and share laughter in a tradition that bridges generations.
