The Visual Effects Society (VES) announced that actor-comedian Jay Pharoah is serving as host of the 22nd Annual VES Awards on February 21 at The Beverly Hilton Hotel. After lending his comedic talents to last year’s VES Awards as a presenter, Pharoah marks his first hosting engagement of the annual celebration that recognizes outstanding visual effects artistry and innovation from around the world.

“Being a part of last year’s VES Awards honoring amazing VFX and animation talent was a huge thrill...with the Lord of the Rings team to the left of me and James Cameron and team Avatar to the right of me,” said Pharoah. “I’m excited to serve as this year’s host and I can’t wait to celebrate with this community of creative geniuses!”

“With his magnetic comic presence, sharp wit and iconic impressions, Jay Pharoah will be an energizing master of ceremonies for our showcase of visual effects excellence, and we’re thrilled he’s at the helm of the 22nd Annual VES Awards,” said Kim Davidson, VES chair.

Pharoah most recently appeared in the Toronto International Film Festival triumph, The Blackening. The film sold out of the festival to Lionsgate and was released last year on Juneteenth. In the last few years, Pharoah has appeared in the Neil Bogart/Casablanca Records biopic Spinning Gold, Comedy Central’s Out of Office and in the independent comedy Mort in Sherman Oaks. He starred in Netflix’s Resort to Love and in the Lionsgate thriller Private Property. Pharoah also co-starred in Universal’s All My Life, in Justin Simien’s critically acclaimed feature film Bad Hair for Hulu, and in Lionsgate’s 2 Minutes of Fame.  On the small screen, Pharoah starred as “J.J. Evans” in ABC’s Emmy Award-winning Live in Front of a Studio Audience version of All In The Family and Good Times.  He previously hosted and produced the Nickelodeon hit gameshow Unfiltered.

Best known for his spot-on impressions, Pharoah spent six seasons as a cast member on NBC’s Saturday Night Live. In 2017, he shifted to his first leading role as “Floyd Mooney” in Showtime’s White Famous, executive-produced by Jaime Foxx. Additional film and television credits include The Mitchells Vs. The Machines, Unsane, Sing, Get a Job, Lola Versus, Family Guy, The Simpsons, Bojack Horseman and Robot Chicken.

As previously announced, the VES Award for Creative Excellence will be presented to acclaimed actor-director William Shatner. The VES Lifetime Achievement Award will be presented to award-winning producer-VFX producer Joyce Cox, VES.