Nick Cannon to host 'America's Got Talent'

NEW YORK -- America's got Nick Cannon as the new host of "America's Got Talent."

The musician, comedian, actor and producer will preside over the NBC talent competition series when it returns for a fourth season this summer, the network announced Monday.

This variety show is the first of "multiple projects we are looking to do with Nick at NBC," said network chief Ben Silverman.

The versatile Cannon, 28, had his breakthrough role while still a teen on the Nickelodeon series "All That," then starred in his own MTV show, "Nick Cannon Presents Wild'n Out." He has recorded with artists including Kanye West, Mary J. Blige and Diddy.

Cannon's film appearances include "The Killing Room," ''American Son" and Emilio Estevez's "Bobby," for which he was honored at the Cannes Film Festival as Breakthrough Actor of the Year.

Cannon takes over "America's Got Talent" from Jerry Springer, who announced his departure last week.

"Talent" is open to all ages and to performers of all kinds (including comedians, contortionists, jugglers and magicians, as well as singers and dancers), all competing for its $1 million prize. Last season, the winner was Missouri native Neal E. Boyd, an operatic tenor and insurance salesman.

Auditions in several cities are scheduled in the coming weeks for the new season.

Sharon Osbourne, Piers Morgan and David Hasselhoff will remain as celebrity judges on the show, which is produced by FremantleMedia North America and Simon Cowell of "American Idol."