Seth MacFarlane, host of the 85th Annual Academy Awards and "Family Guy" creator, arrives at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences 4th annual Governors Awards in Hollywood December 1, 2012. The 85th Annual Academy Awards will be telecast on February 24, 2013 from Hollywood. [Photo/Agencies]

For the first time in 40 years, the host of the Academy Awards will help announce the Oscar nominations.

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Academy officials say Oscar host Seth MacFarlane will join actress Emma Stone Thursday to reveal the nominees for the 85th annual Academy Awards. This is the first time since 1972 that an Oscar host has participated in the nominations announcement. Charlton Heston was the only other show host to announce Oscar nominees.

MacFarlane and Stone will reveal the contenders early Thursday morning from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' headquarters in Beverly Hills, Calif. The Academy Awards will be presented Feb 24 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

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