What a great year to be Hugh Jackman!

After being designated People Magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive a few weeks ago, the Australian actor was named Friday the host of the Oscars. The awards ceremony, which will take place in February 2009, changed its tradition of picking U.S. comedians to do the job.

The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences made the announcement that the 40-year-old Australian actor, the star of the now-rolling romantic epic “Australia,” will host Hollywood’s most prestigious night on Friday.

Jackman has the experience - the actor also hosted Broadway's Tony awards three times and with the title of sexiest man alive at his side, he can’t fail.

ABC will broadcast the Oscars on February 22.

The producers of the Oscars – Laurence Mark and Bill Conson - said they intend to put more movie in the show. Performers such as John Stewart and Ellen DeGeneres, who hosted the show in the past years, are mostly known as TV stars. The tendency is also to steer clear of stand-up comedians, the two added.

"Hugh Jackman is a consummate entertainer and an internationally renowned movie star," said the two new producers of the Oscars. "He also has style, elegance and a sense of occasion. Hugh is the ideal choice to host a celebration of the year's movies."

Mark and Conson added that they are hoping for more spontaneity and that there may be a stronger element of music and dancing, “a departure from the late-night talk-show format.”

The Oscar nominees for 2008 will be announced in January. The 81st Oscar ceremony will be held at the Kodak Theater in Hollywood.