Conan O’Brien to Honour Late Parents at Oscars Hosting Gig
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Conan O’Brien is gearing up to host the 97th Academy Awards at L.A.’s Dolby Theatre on March 2, and amidst the glitz and glamour of the event, he will have his late parents at the forefront of his mind. Following the passing of both his father, Dr. Thomas O’Brien, and his mother, Ruth Reardon O’Brien, in December, within days of each other, the Emmy-winning comedian is determined to pay tribute to them during one of the biggest nights in Hollywood.
Reflecting on his parents’ influence on his comedy career, O’Brien shared with PEOPLE, “I think they were very proud of the work I did, and they would’ve enjoyed this night.” Recalling a cherished memory, he added, “I have a really great photograph of my parents laughing in the audience at an event that I did years ago, [and] I realized early on the original reason anybody gets into comedy is just trying to make our parents laugh.”
Despite the loss of his parents, O’Brien finds solace in the thought that they are still by his side in spirit. He expressed, “I’ll still be thinking about them on Oscar night and trying to get them to laugh. That is kind of a comfort.” In a light-hearted manner, he acknowledged the weight of responsibility, joking, “It’s also more pressure in case in the hereafter they didn’t like it, and they let me know.”
The past few months have been tumultuous for O’Brien, with personal losses compounded by witnessing the devastation caused by the Los Angeles fires. Amidst these challenges, he found a silver lining in gaining perspective. O’Brien shared, “There is a hidden blessing to all of this, whether it’s my parents or the fires, which is perspective.”
Looking forward to the Oscars night, O’Brien plans to use his platform as a host to celebrate not only the glamorous Hollywood elite but also the unsung heroes working tirelessly behind the scenes. He emphasised, “It’s a celebration of an entire industry and people from every walk of life who give their blood, sweat and tears for show business.”
With a focus on uplifting those facing hardships, whether due to the recent fires, industry strikes, or uncertainties in the entertainment business, O’Brien aims to shine a spotlight on the resilience and dedication of all individuals involved in the industry. He affirmed, “This is a night to try to lift a lot of these people up across the board.”
The 97th Oscars will be broadcast live on ABC and available for streaming on Hulu on Sunday, March 2, at 7 p.m. ET. As Conan O’Brien prepares to take the stage as the host, his heartfelt tribute to his late parents and his drive to recognise the efforts of all involved in the entertainment industry promise a poignant and inclusive Oscars ceremony.
Overall, Conan O’Brien’s emotional journey towards hosting the Oscars and his dedication to honouring his late parents while celebrating the industry’s unsung heroes paint a picture of a heartfelt and meaningful awards show.