Eddie Murphy quits as Oscar host

Nov 09, 2011 by Ian Evans

Eddie Murphy, pictured here with Tracy Edmonds at the 79th Annual Academy Awards®, has quit as host of the 84th Academy Awards. ©2007 DigitalHit.com Photographer:Christine Lambert All rights reserved.

A day after Brett Ratner resigned as Oscar producer, Eddie Murphy has exited his post as host of the upcoming telecast.

Says 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 President Tom Sherak released his own statement saying that, “I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well.”