In early 2005 , Rock hosted the 77th Academy Awards ceremony . The decision to have Rock host the awards was seen by some as a chance to bring an " edge " to the ceremony , and to make it more relevant or appealing to younger audiences . Jokingly , Rock opened by saying '' " Welcome to the 77th and LAST Academy Awards ! " '' During one segment Rock asked , " Who is this guy ? " in reference to actor Jude Law seemingly appearing in every movie Rock had seen that year and implied Law was a low-rent Tom Cruise ( he made a joke about filmmakers rushing production when unable to get the actors they want : " If you want Tom Cruise and all you can get is Jude Law , wait to make the film ! " ) . Subsequently , an angry Sean Penn took the stage to present and said , " In answer to our host 's question , Jude Law is one of our finest young actors . " ( At the time , Penn and Law were shooting '' All the King 's Men '' . ) Law was not the only actor that Rock roasted that evening , however — he turned the joke on himself at one point , saying , " If you want Denzel Washington and all you can get is me , wait ! " Older Oscar officials were reportedly displeased with Rock 's performance , which did not elevate ratings for the ceremony . Rock was also criticized for referring to the Oscars as " idiotic " , and asserting that heterosexual men do not watch them , in an interview prior to Oscar night
77th Academy Awards
77th Academy Awards
Chris Rock