The Oscars are back with a bang, and movie lovers everywhere are gearing up for Hollywood’s most glamorous night! The 97th Academy Awards is all set to take place on March 2nd at the iconic Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. This year marks a historic moment for the event, as it will not only air on ABC but also stream on Hulu for the very first time.
With the excitement soaring, all eyes are on the people who make this grand spectacle happen. And while being part of the Academy Awards in any capacity is a huge deal, imagine what it must be like to run the whole show! Enter Bill Kramer, the man at the helm of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Bill Kramer’s contract as the Academy Awards CEO got extended
Bill Kramer has been steering the ship as the CEO of the Academy since June 2022. Originally, his contract was set to run until 2025, but thanks to his outstanding leadership, the Academy decided to extend it further. Now, Kramer will be leading the Academy through July 2028, ensuring he stays in charge for the milestone 100th Oscars ceremony.
The Academy’s decision to extend his contract ahead of time speaks volumes about his contributions. Since stepping into the role, Kramer has been instrumental in shaping the future of the Academy. His tenure is also set to cover the entire duration of the current Oscars broadcasting deal with ABC, which expires after the 2028 ceremony. That means he will be overseeing one of the most crucial periods in the Academy’s history. Janet Yang, the Academy President, said (via Deadline),
Bill is a dynamic and transformational leader, and the Board of Governors agrees he is the ideal person to continue to broaden the Academy’s reach and impact on our international film community and successfully guide the organization into our next 100 years.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) introduced the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in 2011, marking a shift in its leadership structure. Dawn Hudson had the honor of being the first to step into this role, guiding the Academy from 2011 until 2022.
| Name | Years |
| Dawn Hudson (CEO) | 2011–2022 |
| Bill Kramer (CEO) | 2022–present |
Before this change, the Academy didn’t have a CEO—its day-to-day operations were managed by Presidents instead.
Here is a look at all the Presidents the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences had:
| Name | Years |
| Douglas Fairbanks | 1927–1929 |
| William C. DeMille | 1929–1931 |
| M. C. Levee | 1931–1932 |
| Conrad Nagel | 1932–1933 |
| J. Theodore Reed | 1933–1934 |
| Frank Lloyd | 1934–1935 |
| Frank Capra | 1935–1939 |
| Walter Wanger | 1939–1941 |
| Bette Davis | 1941 |
| Walter Wanger | 1941–1945 |
| Jean Hersholt | 1945–1949 |
| Charles Brackett | 1949–1955 |
| George Seaton | 1955–1958 |
| George Stevens | 1958–1959 |
| B. B. Kahane | 1959–1960 |
| Valentine Davies | 1960–1961 |
| Wendell Corey | 1961–1963 |
| Arthur Freed | 1963–1967 |
| Gregory Peck | 1967–1970 |
| Daniel Taradash | 1970–1973 |
| Walter Mirisch | 1973–1977 |
| Howard W. Koch | 1977–1979 |
| Fay Kanin | 1979–1983 |
| Gene Allen | 1983–1985 |
| Robert Wise | 1985–1988 |
| Richard Kahn | 1988–1989 |
| Karl Malden | 1989–1992 |
| Robert Rehme | 1992–1993 |
| Arthur Hiller | 1993–1997 |
| Robert Rehme | 1997–2001 |
| Frank Pierson | 2001–2005 |
| Sid Ganis | 2005–2009 |
| Tom Sherak | 2009–2012 |
| Hawk Koch | 2012–2013 |
| Cheryl Boone Isaacs | 2013–2017 |
| John Bailey | 2017–2019 |
| David Rubin | 2019–2022 |
| Janet Yang | 2022–present |
Now, as the CEO, Kramer is responsible for managing a team of over 700 employees across Los Angeles, New York, and London. His leadership has brought stability and a clear vision for the Academy’s future, ensuring that it remains a global powerhouse in the film industry.
Bill Kramer has played a significant role in the improvement of the Academy Awards
Kramer has been a driving force behind the Academy Awards’ evolution, shaping its future with his leadership. Bill Kramer’s journey with the Academy started in 2012 when he joined as the managing director of development and external relations for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.
One of his biggest achievements in this role was helping raise a staggering $250 million to bring the museum to life. However, when he didn’t get a larger role in overseeing the museum’s operations, he decided to step away.
But fate had other plans! When things didn’t work out with the museum’s original director, Kerry Brougher, Kramer was called back in 2019 and officially took charge as the museum’s director in 2020. Under his leadership, the museum finally opened after years of delays, making it a major milestone for the Academy.
Kramer’s impressive work at the museum paved the way for his promotion to CEO in 2022. Since taking on this role, he has led the Academy through some significant changes. The ratings for the Oscars telecast have seen an improvement compared to previous years, even though they are still far from the record-breaking 50 million viewers who tuned in when Titanic won Best Picture in 1998. However, with around 20 million households watching, the numbers are on the rise, and the Academy is working to bring even more viewers back.
Another notable initiative under his leadership is the Academy100 campaign, which aims to celebrate and strengthen the Academy’s role in the film industry as it approaches its 100th year. Meanwhile, the Academy Museum has continued to expand and evolve, though not without its fair share of challenges and criticism. Some layoffs have also taken place as part of a broader restructuring effort, but Kramer remains committed to keeping the Academy strong and relevant in the ever-changing entertainment landscape.
What is Bill Kramer’s salary as CEO of the Academy Awards?
Bill Kramer is currently at the helm of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, leading the organization through a period of change and expansion. Before stepping into the CEO role in 2022, he spent two years as the director of the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures, where he played a crucial role in finally getting the long-delayed museum up and running. Naturally, with greater responsibilities came a bigger paycheck.
According to the Academy’s tax filing, Kramer’s total compensation in 2022 amounted to $865,568 (via The New York Times). This figure includes his salary from the Academy and other related organizations. While his earnings reflect the high-profile nature of his position, they also point out the immense responsibility that comes with leading an organization of this scale.
His contract extension comes at a crucial time, as the Academy Museum is still working to address past criticisms, particularly regarding how it initially downplayed the contributions of Jewish immigrants in shaping Hollywood. When the museum first opened, it faced backlash for not giving enough attention to the Jewish founders of major movie studios, even as it focused on celebrating diversity in film.
In response, the museum launched a permanent exhibition showing their contributions. However, after receiving further feedback, adjustments are being made to better reflect their impact on Hollywood’s history.
Beyond the museum, Kramer is also overseeing the Academy’s financial future. The organization operates on an annual budget of about $170 million, with 70% of its funding coming from its lucrative Oscars broadcasting deal with Disney and ABC. Looking ahead, the Academy has launched a global $500 million (via The New York Times) campaign to ensure its long-term sustainability. This campaign aims to secure financial stability and expand the Academy’s influence in the global film community.
With Bill Kramer’s leadership locked in for the next few years, the Academy Awards are in capable hands. As he continues to shape the future of the Oscars and the Academy itself, fans can expect more innovations, better viewership, and an ongoing celebration of cinema at its finest.
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