Nearly 70 years ago, Oscars organizers teamed up one of the event’s most popular ever hosts with a ground-breaking new co-anchor - but it appears the historic selection wasn’t all it was quacked up to be.

At the 30th Academy Awards in March 1958, the cartoon character Donald Duck became the first - and so far only - non-human co-host of the film awards gala.

Donald Duck among star-studded hosting line-up

The iconic Disney creation was one of a number of big names that shared compering duties with the great Bob Hope, a man who hosted or co-hosted a record 19 Academy Awards ceremonies between 1940 and 1978.

Alongside Hope, legendary Hollywood stars such as James Stewart and Jack Lemmon were also among the human co-hosts who interacted on stage with prepared footage of Donald Duck, voiced by Clarence Nash.

One of Disney’s most iconic animated favorites

An anthropomorphic duck characterized by his fiery character and distinctive, semi-intelligible speech, Donald Duck is one of the best-loved cartoon characters in screen history.

Honored with a star on Los Angeles’ Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2004, his official Walk of Fame profile names him as the third-most popular animated figure of all time, behind only Bugs Bunny and Mickey Mouse.

A creation who turned 90 last year, Donald Duck has featured in more than 150 Disney short films - more than any other character conceived by the entertainment company - and, per ScreenRant, has appeared in 10 Oscar-nominated productions.

They include 1943’s Der Fuehrer’s Face, which won Best Animated Short Film at the 15th Academy Awards.

However, Donald Duck’s 1958 turn as an Oscars co-host seems to have gone down in show business history as something of a flop.

Donald Duck can’t live up to bill-ing at Oscars

In a 2011 ranking of the worst ever awards show hosts, for example, Time magazine’s’s Alexandra Silver wrote: “We love classic cartoons as much as the next kid disguised as a grownup, but given the star power of the glittering 1950s, Donald Duck probably didn’t need to co-host the 30th Academy Awards.”

In a 2022 article in LA Mag, Merle Ginsberg agreed: “Even Hope couldn’t save this dud from the utter awkwardness of movie stars having to interact with Mr. Duck.”

That said, it is hard for the viewing public to judge Donald Duck’s Oscars performance for itself, as the internet seems to offer up no readily available footage of the character’s appearance as co-host.

“Apparently, that’s something the Academy doesn’t want us to see,” conclude the Daily Beast’s Fletcher Peters and Allegra Frank.

Who is hosting the 2025 Oscars?

This year’s Oscars, which will be the 97th edition of the Academy Awards, are to be hosted by the comedian Conan O’Brien, who will be making his debut as the ceremony’s anchor.

Reacting to his announcement as host in November, O’Brien quipped: “America demanded it and now it’s happening: Taco Bell’s new Cheesy Chalupa Supreme. In other news, I’m hosting the Oscars.”

When and where are the 2025 Academy Awards? How can I watch?

The 2025 Academy Awards are to be held on Sunday, March 2, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles, California.

Broadcast live in the United States by the TV network ABC, the gala is scheduled to begin at 7:00 p.m. ET/4:00 p.m. PT. You can stream ABC on the online platform fubo, which offers new users a free introductory trial.

Related stories

Oscars

Best Actor Oscar race too close to call

Oscars

Demi Moore's reinvention hints at Oscar glory

Get your game on! Whether you’re into NFL touchdowns, NBA buzzer-beaters, world-class soccer goals, or MLB home runs, our app has it all.

Dive into live coverage, expert insights, breaking news, exclusive videos, and more – plus, stay updated on the latest in current affairs and entertainment. Download now for all-access coverage, right at your fingertips – anytime, anywhere.