Oscars host Conan O'Brien talks Bay Area talent ahead of Academy Awards

ABC7 Mornings Anchor Amanda del Castillo interviews the host about the Bay Area's influence on Hollywood's biggest night.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 3:05pm by Ben Kaplan

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Ahead of the 98th Academy Awards, ABC7 Mornings Anchor Amanda del Castillo connected with host Conan O'Brien to discuss the Bay Area's strong representation among this year's Oscar nominees, including the Cooglers, Delroy Lindo, Raphael Saadiq, and Pixar's Elio. O'Brien praised the Bay Area's artistic influence and shared details about his own acting debut and plans for the Oscars telecast.

Why it matters

The Bay Area has long been recognized as a hub of artistic and creative talent, and this year's Oscars nominations further cement that reputation. O'Brien's comments highlight the region's outsized impact on the entertainment industry and the growing prominence of Bay Area-connected artists and filmmakers on the biggest stage.

The details

In the interview, O'Brien discussed his preparations for hosting the Oscars for the second year, including getting familiar with the event's snack locations and securing a better parking space. He also revealed that he will have a role in the upcoming Toy Story 5 film, joking that he's taking over the Woody character from Tom Hanks.

  • The 98th Academy Awards will take place on March 15, 2026.
  • O'Brien is celebrating his second year as Oscars host.

The players

Conan O'Brien

The host of the 98th Academy Awards, who is celebrating his second year in the role.

Amanda del Castillo

The ABC7 Mornings Anchor who interviewed Conan O'Brien ahead of the Oscars.

The Cooglers

Bay Area-connected filmmakers who received multiple Oscar nominations this year.

Delroy Lindo

A Bay Area-based actor who is among the Oscar nominees this year.

Raphael Saadiq

A Bay Area-connected musician who is also an Oscar nominee.

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What they’re saying

“Well, exactly. I mean, these are the same thoughts I was thinking when I woke up this morning - is that San Francisco is the jewel for the arts in the United States. I've long believed that.”

— Conan O'Brien, Oscars Host (6abc.com)

“My daughter is a huge live music fan and that's a thing that we do together. So, we've been to a bunch of music festivals, but our favorite might be Outside Lands. We just love the vibe there.”

— Conan O'Brien, Oscars Host (6abc.com)

What’s next

The 98th Academy Awards ceremony, hosted by Conan O'Brien, will take place on March 15, 2026.

The takeaway

The Bay Area's artistic influence continues to be felt at the Oscars, with numerous nominees and talent hailing from the region. Conan O'Brien's enthusiasm for the Bay Area's creative contributions underscores the region's status as a hub for entertainment and the arts.