Conan O’Brien is not getting paid millions to host the Academy Awards, or for his incredible month-long effort and preparation that goes into the event. Instead, it is the appreciation from audiences, actors, and those watching from around the world that truly fills his heart. Not to mention, hosting one of Hollywood’s biggest nights is an immense honor in itself. However, hosting the Oscars also holds something more personal for O’Brien.

 As he gears up to take the reins of the ceremony for the second time, the comedian shared a heartwarming story involving his late father, Dr. Thomas O’Brien.

During a recent press conference for the Oscars, Conan O’Brien opened up about how he once tried to understand the things his father, Dr. Thomas O’Brien, enjoyed to connect with him. O’Brien recalled that his father loved watching legendary host and comedian Johnny Carson, and remembered a moment from Carson hosting the Oscars that made his father laugh. Now that he is hosting the ceremony himself, O’Brien hopes to create a similar kind of connection for others watching at home.

“So I would sometimes get to stay up and watch Johnny Carson with him. And I remember very clearly Johnny Carson hosting the Oscars and watching my father watch Johnny and laugh,” he said.

“To think that maybe now I'm part of that equation somehow, and in a cosmic way links me to my dad, is pretty amazing,” the host further added. 

Perhaps the host earns around $15,000 or a little more for the Oscars, but for him, the experience is worth far more than money. O’Brien was praised for his hosting at the Academy Awards last year, which ultimately led to him being offered the gig this year.

While Conan O'Brien has been making public appearances as if they were as easy as flicking a wand, and carrying the same confidence while hosting the Oscars, Brien came clean about a moment that left him stripped off the effortless confidence.

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The host once revealed how he was left baffled after being asked to give a speech he had not prepared for.

In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Conan O’Brien recalled that he was simply attending a birthday party. However, things took an unexpected turn when he was suddenly asked to give a speech in front of people he did not even know. As the pressure continued to build, O’Brien said he quickly rehearsed what he would say in his mind. 

“I started to go into a bit of a panic,” he said.

Fortunately, it worked out for him, and despite the awkward moment, a woman in the crowd noticed his effort and appreciated him.

“I sat down, and this older woman across the table looks at me and says, ‘That took a lot out of you,’ ” he added. 

Luckily, his efforts and improvisation helped him through it. These skills will likely come in handy when hosting the Academy Awards, where something unexpected can always happen. 

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