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How Conan O’Brien Is Prepping to Host Oscars After Parents’ Deaths, L.A. Fires
Conan O’Brien is preparing to host the 97th annual Academy Awards by taking everything “a day at a time.”
It’s been a tough few months for the comedian, 61, who, a month after being announced as the host of the 2025 Oscars in November, lost both his parents three days apart from one another.
While his Pacific Palisades home was spared in the ongoing Los Angeles wildfires that began on Tuesday, Jan. 7, O’Brien is all too aware of the destruction they have left behind for so many.
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“It has been a lot happening in a very short time, and there’s a lot that happened in my personal life starting in December that was intense, and then going into this month with the fires and prep for what’s coming up,” he tells PEOPLE at the Sundance Film Festival premiere of If I Had Legs I’d Kick You, held at the Library Center Theatre in Park City, Utah, on Friday, Jan. 24.
Cindy Ord/Getty : Conan
The actor’s father, Dr. Thomas O’Brien, died at 95 on Dec. 9, after “his health had been failing,” The Boston Globe reported.
His mother, Ruth Reardon O’Brien, died “peacefully” at 92 on Dec. 12, according to an obituary shared by the Bell-O’Dea Funeral Home in Brookline, Mass.
O’Brien tells PEOPLE, “It’s been a time where I just take it a day at a time,” which is the “advice” he’s been offering to others in Los Angeles.
He recalls speaking to the woman who drove him to the premiere about the ongoing fires and learning that she was actually from Los Angeles and her apartment “burned to the ground.”
Jason Ryan/NurPhoto via Getty
“It’s the time to be asking other people how they’re doing, listening to them,” says O’Brien.
“In that respect, some of the things I’m doing, like come here at Sundance for [the] film or the Oscars award show coming up, can seem silly and trivial, but they’re also important at the same time because we keep going,” he continues. “We keep going. We keep making stuff.”
As of Friday, Jan. 24, the Palisades Fire has burned 23,448 acres and is 77% contained. The Eaton Fire is 95% contained after burning 14,021 acres, while the Hughes Fire is 56% contained after burning 10,396, per the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
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The 97th Oscars will air live on Sunday, March 2, at 7 p.m. ET/4 p.m. PT on ABC from the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood.
Click here to learn more about how to help the victims of the L.A. fires.
Conan O’Brien has faced his fair share of challenges in recent months, losing both of his parents and dealing with the devastating fires in Los Angeles. Despite these hardships, the beloved comedian is still set to host the Oscars and is prepping for the big night.
In a recent interview, O’Brien opened up about how he is coping with the loss of his parents and the impact of the fires on his community. He shared that while it has been a difficult time, he is grateful for the support of his friends and family as he navigates these tough circumstances.
O’Brien also discussed how he is preparing for his hosting duties at the Oscars, noting that he is focused on creating a memorable and entertaining show for viewers. He expressed his excitement for the opportunity to host such a prestigious event and is determined to make it a night to remember.
Despite the challenges he has faced, O’Brien remains resilient and determined to deliver a memorable performance at the Oscars. Fans can expect to see his signature wit and humor on display as he takes the stage to host the star-studded event.
As O’Brien continues to navigate through these difficult times, his strength and determination serve as an inspiration to us all. We look forward to seeing him shine at the Oscars and wish him all the best as he prepares for the big night.
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