Steve Coogan to host Spirit Awards

British comic actor Steve Coogan of “24 Hour Party People,” “Hamlet 2” and “Tropic Thunder” fame, has been named master of ceremonies for the 2009 Spirit Awards. Film Independent made the announcement Wednesday morning. The ceremony will take place in a tent on the beach on Santa Monica on Feb. 21, the day before the Academy Awards.

“We are so excited to have Steve Coogan as this year’s host,” said Spirit Awards executive producer Diana Zahn-Storey in a statement. “He’s a brilliant actor and comedian whose style and accent will bring an international flair to the event.”

Previous hosts include John Waters, Samuel L. Jackson, Sarah Silverman and Rainn Wilson.