Whoopi’s Triumphant Return: Goldberg Joins 2025 Oscars as Presenter After Nearly a Decade Away

Hollywood, CA – In a move that has fans cheering and the red carpet buzzing, legendary actress, EGOT winner, and The View co-host Whoopi Goldberg is officially making her grand return to the Academy Awards stage — this time as a presenter at the 97th Oscars, nearly ten years after her last appearance.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed the news Tuesday, revealing Goldberg as one of several A-list stars set to grace the stage during the 2025 live telecast. She’ll be joined by fellow Oscar winners and Hollywood powerhouses including Halle Berry, Penélope Cruz, Scarlett Johansson, John Lithgow, Amy Poehler, Elle Fanning, June Squibb, and Bowen Yang. The broadcast will also feature the current reigning acting champs: Robert Downey Jr., Cillian Murphy, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Emma Stone.

This year’s ceremony promises not only star power but also the kind of nostalgic resonance fans crave. For Goldberg, the moment is especially meaningful. While she’s no stranger to the Oscars — having hosted the ceremony four times (1994, 1996, 1999, and 2002) — this will be her first live telecast appearance since 2016, when she presented the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award during the 88th Academy Awards. That year, she received a warm welcome, but her extended absence since then has left fans eager for her return.

And what a moment to come back: Goldberg will take the stage during a broadcast that may also celebrate her Ghost co-star Demi Moore, who is a strong frontrunner for Best Actress for her daring performance in the 2024 body-horror film The Substance. If Moore takes home the statue, it would mark a poetic full-circle moment — one made even more meaningful with Goldberg present.

Let’s not forget that Goldberg won her own Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in Ghost back in 1991, a performance that remains iconic and universally beloved. The chemistry between Goldberg and Moore defined a generation’s understanding of both grief and resilience — and seeing them both recognized on the same night would be nothing short of cinematic history.

Beyond her acting accolades, Goldberg holds the rare status of EGOT — having earned an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony — and remains the only woman to have hosted the Oscars more than three times, further cementing her legacy within the Academy’s storied history. She’s also served on the Academy’s Board of Governors, where she represented the actors’ branch and advocated for inclusivity and artistic excellence.

Although Goldberg’s role in this year’s ceremony hasn’t been revealed (the Academy typically keeps the presentation order under wraps), insiders speculate that she may play a key part in one of the tribute segments or legacy honors — or possibly present a major category, especially if it ties back to her own cinematic roots.

Fans of The View have grown accustomed to seeing Goldberg’s daily insights and fierce commentary, but the Oscars stage is a different arena — one where her charisma, wit, and commanding presence truly shine. In 2023, she briefly appeared in a pre-recorded comedy bit for the show, but this year’s live return has a far bigger impact.

Adding to the excitement, comedian and late-night legend Conan O’Brien will take over as host of the 97th Oscars, breaking Jimmy Kimmel’s recent two-year streak. O’Brien’s sharp humor and decades of experience in live television promise a fresh dynamic — one that Goldberg’s presence will undoubtedly elevate.

As the 2025 awards season heats up, the Oscars are shaping up to be a celebration not only of the year’s best films but also of the enduring power of its legends. And with Whoopi Goldberg stepping back into the spotlight, there’s no doubt: the Academy Awards are about to feel a lot more golden.