Mark Wahlberg and TED to Present at ACADEMY AWARDS

Mark Wahlberg and his Teddy Bear co-star, Ted will be presenters on the Oscar show, telecast producers Craig Zadan and Neil Meron announced today.

"We are happy to make it possible for Mark and Ted to make their debut appearance on the Oscar stage," said Zadan and Meron. "And we won't deny that Ted used his pull with our host to get himself the booking."

Wahlberg and Ted starred in the hit summer comedy "Ted," which is now the highest-grossing R-rated original comedy of all time.

"I'm excited to present an Oscar with Mark Wahlberg," said Ted. "I'm spending the next month learning to pronounce 'Quvenzhané.'"

Wahlberg has twice been nominated for Academy Awards, in 2006 for his supporting role in "The Departed" and in 2010 as a producer of the Best Picture nominee, "The Fighter."

Wahlberg and Ted join a stellar list of previously announced Oscar performers, including Adele, Norah Jones and Barbra Streisand. Oscars for outstanding film achievements of 2012 will be presented on Oscar Sunday, February 24, at the Dolby Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center, and will be hosted by Seth MacFarlane live on the ABC Television Network. The Oscar presentation also will be televised live in more than 225 countries worldwide.

ABOUT THE ACADEMY

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences is the world's preeminent movie-related organization, with a membership of more than 6,000 of the most accomplished men and women working in cinema. In addition to the annual Academy Awards - in which the members vote to select the nominees and winners - the Academy presents a diverse year-round slate of public programs, exhibitions and events; provides financial support to a wide range of other movie-related organizations and endeavors; acts as a neutral advocate in the advancement of motion picture technology; and, through its Margaret Herrick Library and Academy Film Archive, collects, preserves, restores and provides access to movies and items related to their history. Through these and other activities the Academy serves students, historians, the entertainment industry and people everywhere who love movies.