JonStewart, best known as host of US political satire series The Daily Show, has been set to hostthe 78th Academy Awards ceremonyand TV presentation on March 5.

Stewarttakes over the job from Chris Rock, who made his first appearance as Oscar hostlast year.

Besideshosting cable channel Comedy Central's acclaimed Daily Show, Stewart has appearedin TheLarry Sanders Showand movies including BigDaddy, The Faculty, Playing byHeartand Deathto Smoochy.

Heis also the author of best-selling book America: A Citizen's Guide to DemocracyInaction and he hosted the Grammy Awards in 2001 and 2002.