Hugh Jackman will host the 81st Academy Awards on February 22 in what will be the Australian entertainer's first time in the role.

'Hugh Jackman is a consummate entertainer and an internationally renowned movie star,' Oscar telecast producer Laurence Mark and executive producer Bill Condon 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 in 2009. He won the Tony in 2004 for playing Peter Allen in the musical Broadway hit The Boy From Oz.