The actress made the announcement on the May 8 broadcast of ABC TV's "The View," which she co-hosts. Goldberg said in a subsequent statement, "I'm very excited to be hosting the Tony Awards. I love Broadway and I'm thrilled to be doing anything for the first time. I'm gonna have a blast." The Tony Awards will be executive produced by Ricky Kirshner and Glenn Weiss of White Cherry Entertainment. In a statement Weiss said, "How lucky are we to have such a legendary performer presiding over this year's Tony Awards?" Kirshner added, "Whoopi not only brings with her an immense amount of star-power, but also a charm and humor that is all her own."

As previously announced, the 62nd Annual Tony Awards will be presented June 15. CBS-TV will broadcast the event live from Radio City Music Hall, 8-11 PM ET. (Red-carpet arrivals will begin at 6 PM).

The Tony Awards are presented by The Broadway League and the American Theatre Wing. CBS has broadcast the annual event since 1978.

An Academy Award-winning actress, Whoopi Goldberg has appeared on Broadway in Whoopi Goldberg, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. The actress-comedian won 1985 Drama Desk and Theatre World awards for her one-woman show Whoopi Goldberg and 2002 Drama Desk and Tony awards as one of the producers of the award-winning musical Thoroughly Modern Millie.

For more information visit www.TonyAwards.com.