Actor Hugh Jackman was surprisingly named Friday by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences as the host of the 81st annual Academy Awards ceremony, scheduled for Feb. 22 at Kodak Theater in Hollywood.

It is an unusual twist that Jackman, who was chosen 2008's " Sexiest Man Alive" by People magazine last month, will host the Hollywood's biggest annual gala night, which has traditionally been helmed by big-name comedians, like Jon Stewart and Ellen DeGeneres.

The 40-year-old Australian actor recently starred opposite Nicole Kidman, also from Australia, in 20th Century Fox's romantic adventure film "Australia," which was widely released last month and among top performers at the box office currently in the United States.

"Hugh is the ideal choice to host a celebration of the year's movies -- and to have fun doing it," Oscars show producer Laurence Mark and executive producer Bill Condon said in a joint statement issued Friday.

"Hugh Jackman is a consummate entertainer and an internationally renowned movie star. He also has style, elegance and a sense of occasion," they said.

Academy Awards organizers have reportedly hired new producers for the annual ceremony to seek an image change in order to increase the ratings of this year's Oscars telecast.

It will be Jackman's first time hosting the awards ceremony, although he has previously been a presenter. He won an Emmy Award for hosting the 2004 Tony Awards ceremony.

Jackman garnered his fame as an A-list actor after playing Wolverine in the previous three "X-Men" movies. He will next be seen in the "X-Men Origins: Wolverine," the fourth installment of the franchise.

(Xinhua News Agency December 13, 2008)