At the Academy Awards, the “Voice of God” is the voice that narrates the proceedings, and 2025’s Voice of God is a first-timer with a very recognizable voice. The narrator for the Oscars is an important part of how the live show unfolds, as the voice not only keeps the show moving, but also adds in important facts to go along with each winner. It’s the show’s narrator that details how many awards the category’s winner has collected.
With such a significant role in the show, the narrator is selected very carefully, and historically, voiceover actors have been selected given their expertise in voice manipulation, articulation, and enunciation. However, the role has been filled by on-screen stars with particularly distinct voices who can add the right depth to the proceedings. The narrator for the 2025 Oscars is a well-known TV and movie actor, marking the second year in a row that an actor has acted as the Voice of God.
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Nick Offerman Is Narrating The 97th Academy Awards
The Former Parks and Recreation Actor Lent His Deep, Smooth Voice To The Proceedings
Fans of NBC’s Parks and Recreation will recognize the voice of Ron Swanson, portrayed by acclaimed actor Nick Offerman. While Offerman is most known for his role as the anti-government he-man Swanson, he has gained acclaim for other roles since then, most notably winning a Primetime Emmy for his role in Max’s The Last of Us. At the 2025 Oscars, Offerman made a comical nod to his Parks and Rec co-star, Amy Poehler, by intentionally mispronouncing her name as “Amy…Poe-ell-er?” while teasing her joining the show shortly as a presenter.
Offerman collected a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Drama Series for his heartbreaking role as Bill in The Last of Us.
Offerman also directly interacted with host Conan O’Brien in a funny segment before Poehler came on stage to present the nominees for Best Original Screenplay, harrᴀssing the host about the pressure of hosting such a mᴀssive event. Offerman has enough personality to not feel robotic as the Voice of God, but his deep and authoritative voice also lends the proper gravity to the prestigious awards that he announces.
The History Of The Oscars’ “Voice Of God” Explained
It’s Been A Key Component Of The Proceedings For Decades
The Voice of God role was originated by Ronald Reagan in 1953 at the 25th Academy Awards, back when he was still an actor, and is an important element of the show’s progression. Reagan began his career as a radio broadcaster and doing sports play-by-play, which contributed to his selection for the role. While the Voice of God changes often, it has historically been done by notable voiceover actors as it’s necessary to maintain a balance between being powerful yet gentle.
Offerman is the second actor in a row to act as the Voice of God, following David Alan Grier last year. Voiceover talent Randy Thomas was the first woman to act as the Voice of God, which she did for the first time in 1993. She went on to perform as the show’s narrator on-and-off in the following years, and ultimately did the job ten times.
You can check out the running list of all winners at the 97th Academy Awards here.
