Which actor co-hosted the first MTV Video Music Awards with Bette Midler?

Dan Aykroyd co-hosted the first MTV Video Music Awards with Bette Midler.

The inaugural MTV Video Music Awards took place on September 14, 1984, at Radio City Music Hall in New York City. Aykroyd and Midler shared hosting duties for the ceremony, which celebrated music videos released during MTV’s early breakthrough period. Their pairing brought together Aykroyd’s comedy and acting background with Midler’s established music and stage presence.

The first ceremony helped establish the energetic, irreverent style that became associated with the VMAs. The Cars won the first Video of the Year award for “You Might Think,” while Herbie Hancock was the night’s biggest winner with five awards. Aykroyd’s participation is sometimes confused with Eddie Murphy, Chevy Chase or Bill Murray, all major comedy figures connected to the same broad entertainment era. Eddie Murphy did appear as a presenter at the ceremony, but he was not the co-host.