Eddie Murphy Drops Out of 2012 Academy Awards

Less than 24 hours after Brett Ratner resigned as producer of the 2012 Academy Awards for using a homophobic slur, host Eddie Murphy dropped out as well.

The Academy released the following statement Wednesday:

Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences President Tom Sherak announced that Eddie Murphy has withdrawn as host of the 84th Academy Awards.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.”

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