With her Best Supporting Actress win on Sunday, Mo’nique became just the fifth African-American woman ever to win an Oscar. But her victory marked another, less noted achievement: It was the first Academy Award won by a host of a current late-night talk show (The Mo’nique Show, on BET nightly at 11 p.m.!). Does this mean the Academy will finally begin to see the incredible talent present in the late-night talk-show-host community? And if so, which current late-night talk-show host has the best shot at following up Mo’nique’s win? Vulture takes a look.
Conan O’Brien, Untitled Conan O’Brien Fox Project (presumably)
Acting Credits:
Andy Richter Controls the Universe
Other than the live tour, Conan’s schedule is looking pretty free, meaning plenty of time for intensive acting lessons.
Jay Leno, the Tonight Show
Acting Credits:
Silver Bears, Collision Course
His movie background is mostly in racist buddy-cop comedies. Then again, he’s recently demonstrated that he’s pretty good at acting like — here comes the burn! — a considerate human being.
David Letterman, Late Show With David Letterman
Acting Credits:
Cabin Boy, Fast Friends, Peeping Time
If he were at all serious about winning an Oscar, he would have at least considered producing and starring in Robert Halderman’s screenplay.
Jon Stewart, The Daily Show
Acting Credits:
The Faculty, Playing by Heart, Big Daddy, Death to Smoochy
Stewart’s got a semi-legit acting background, and we could seriously see him pulling off Best Supporting at some point in the distant future. Maybe as a cantankerous, but loving grandfather type?
Jimmy Kimmel, Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Acting Credits:
Like Mike
He was great in Like Mike. But, yeah, no.
Stephen Colbert, The Colbert Report
Acting Credits::
Bewitched, Strangers With Candy, The Love Guru
Not the craziest notion, seeing as Colbert does a pretty great job playing a conservative blowhard every night.
Carson Daly, Last Call With Carson Daly
Acting Credits:
N/A
Yes, Carson Daly still has a talk show.
Craig Ferguson, The Late Late Show
Acting Credits::
The Drew Carey Show
Has one of the longer acting résumés on this list. Unfortunately, much of that acting has taken place in movies like Lenny the Wonder Dog.
Jimmy Fallon, Late Night With Jimmy Fallon
Acting Credits::
Taxi, Fever Pitch, Almost Famous
Come on — you really think that dude from Taxi is ever going to win an Oscar?
Chelsea Handler, Chelsea Lately
Acting Credits::
National Lampoon’s Cattle Call, Steam
Maybe if she starts sleeping with AMPAS president Tom Sherak?
George Lopez, Lopez Tonight
Acting Credits::
Balls of Fury, Beverly Hills Chihuahua, Swing Vote, Tortilla Heaven
Yeah, it’s probably going to be George Lopez.