Eddie Murphy Out As Oscar Host After Brett Ratner Resignation

Eddie Murphy is no longer hosting the 84th annual Academy Awards.

Following the exit of his good friend and "Tower Heist" director Brett Ratner as producer of the show last night over a series of controversial comments, the Academy announced that Murphy has withdrawn from his hosting duties, which he first took on in September.

"First and foremost I want to say that I completely understand and support each party's decision with regard to a change of producers for this year's Academy Awards ceremony," Murphy said in a statement sent out by the academy. "I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I'm sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job."

The withdrawal caps a tumultuous week for Ratner and the Oscars telecast. Last week, Ratner used a gay slur when asked a question about filmmaking. The director said that "rehearsing is for fags" in a Q&A session following a screening of his new film, "Tower Heist," at L.A.'s Arclight Cinemas. He apologized for the statement after NY Magazine published his remarks. He also made a series of crude statements about actresses Olivia Munn and Lindsay Lohan.

Statement in Full:

Beverly Hills, CA (November 9, 2011) - Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Tom Sherak announced that Eddie Murphy has withdrawn as host of the 84th Academy Awards. "I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well," said Sherak.

Commented Murphy, "First and foremost I want to say that I completely understand and support each party's decision with regard to a change of producers for this year's Academy Awards ceremony. I was truly looking forward to being a part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I'm sure that the new production team and host will do an equally great job."

Academy Awards for outstanding film achievements of 2011 will be presented on Sunday, February 26, 2012, at the Kodak Theatre at Hollywood & Highland Center®, and televised live by the ABC Television Network. The Oscar® presentation also will be televised live in more than 200 countries worldwide.

WATCH: Ratner's comments on "Attack of the Show"

Comments

[jemteku]

12:30 PM on 11/12/2011

Mr. Ratner needs to think before he speaks. Probably thinks he is too cool. Wrong.

[Indie thinker]

07:25 PM on 11/11/2011

They just lost a household view.

[free nel]

06:32 PM on 11/11/2011

Ellen should do it.. duh

[jemteku]

12:36 PM on 11/12/2011

Ellen would be perfect. She is so very funny.

[tomascole]

06:04 PM on 11/11/2011

Hey Eddie-

Just three words...CHICKS WITH DICKS

[JessWonderin]

12:40 PM on 11/11/2011

would Eddie have continued had he replied along the lines: "I LOVE to work my actors like cotton pickin' n field hands . ."????

[gwendella11]

04:51 AM on 11/11/2011

Ratner just should of not said that, he should of tasted the words before he spit them out. Eddie if he wanted to leave had the right to it doesn't mean he condoned it. Yes young Eddie was a mess and as far as him hosting he'd probably be no worse than it has been in some years I've yawned and watched. I'm glad Billy is back I love his openings.

[TarzanaGirl]

10:24 PM on 11/10/2011

It's ironic how so many homophobes believe that homophobia doesn't exist in Hollywood. As for the homophobic director, who has yet to apologize, it's clear that he really meant what he said. Perhaps his next project will be a Mel Gibson production?

[CookinSista]

01:44 PM on 11/10/2011

Unfortunately you all missed the mark. The whole point of having a Black person host the Oscars is ratings! When there are no movies starring Black people, which is quite often, up for awards the ratings among Black audiences is zero. Every now and then the Oscar committee will throw out a Black celebrity and see what kind of response they'll get from the Black community. It's not about Eddie, its about the Benjamins!

[brokenangel143]

01:33 PM on 11/10/2011

Eddie... please do the show. You make the Oscars worth watch...

[aphextwin07]

01:07 PM on 11/10/2011

well that sucks... he could have made a medicore joke of a ceremony show actually worth watching.

[jemteku]

12:32 PM on 11/12/2011

I agree. I was going to watch it because he was hosting, but now I will not. Eddie is one of the funniest people on the planet.

[JBDenver]

11:58 AM on 11/10/2011

Get over it!

If he were making an indictment against the homosexual community he could have said, "rehearsals are for 'those who are characterized by a tendency to direct sexual desire toward another of the same sex'".

I don't believe that was his intent.

[houstonbch]

06:56 PM on 11/11/2011

intent? He was extremely specific with his comment. I find it very hard to misinterpret what he said. Unless you agree with him

[RadixMan]

11:51 AM on 11/13/2011

He can say whatever he wants and you can interpret it any way you want. To let his words affect you on a personal level... get over it. From a professional standpoint, and considering his words would reach so many, it couldn't hurt to develop his sense of discernment and social etiquette more. Seriously though, get over it and lay off the boo-hoo button.

[DogsRKool2]

11:52 AM on 11/10/2011

Less inclined to watch now.

[ClubStyle DJ]

11:50 AM on 11/10/2011

Ok Ok.... I'll do it.
Oscar Committee... Give me a call.
Thanks

[cam1002]

09:31 PM on 11/10/2011

I just want one of the "goody bags".

[Vanessa1129]

10:59 AM on 11/10/2011

Dang!


@Eddie Murphy is no longer hosting the 84th annual Academy Awards.

[mr whiteffolks]

10:55 AM on 11/10/2011

As if Eddie needs the snobbish Oscars !