In recent years, he’s hosted the Emmys and the Tonys and now, Neil Patrick Harris – currently starring in the box office chart topping Gone Girl– is to add the Oscars to his CV.

He’s taking over from Ellen De Generes, who – as a safe pair of hands – brought in the highest ratings for the awards show in fourteen years. Recent hosts have included Family Guy’s controversial Seth MacFarlane, Billy Crystal – brought in at short notice for his latest turn, afterEddie Murphy pulled out – and the infamous co-hosting of actors James Franco and Anne Hathaway.

“We have watched him explode as a great performer in feature films, television and stage,” said the show’s producers, Craig Zadan and Neil Meron. “To work with him on the Oscars is the perfect storm, all of his resources and talent coming together on a global stage.”

The Academy’s President, Cheryl Boone Isaacs, described Harris as “the consummate entertainer,” saying his distinctive charm and showmanship made him the ideal host.

Harris said it was an honour and a thrill to be asked to host the Academy Awards. “I grew up watching the Oscars and was always in such awe of some of the greats who hosted the show,” enthused Harris, describing the job as “a bucket list dream come true.”

With the success of Gone Girl, perhaps Harris is also dreaming that as well as adding the Oscars to his Emmys and Tonys hosting duties, he might be able to add an Oscar to his Emmy and Tony Awards.