Eddie Murphy to host Oscars
Posted September 6, 2011 8:30 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
It’s confirmed: standup veteran Eddie Murphy will be hosting the Oscars.
Deadline.com first reported the rumour on Tuesday morning, saying Brett Ratner was expected to recommend Murphy to Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president Tom Sherak this week.
Ratner, the producer of the 84th annual Academy Awards, is also the director of the Murphy’s latest film, Tower Heist, which opens on Nov. 4.
The official announcement was made Tuesday afternoon.
Murphy is no stranger to live crowds: he got his big break on Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s, and later released the best-selling stand-up films Delirious and Raw.
He’s also familiar with the Oscars. Murphy was nominated for best supporting actor for his role in Dreamgirls, but left the 2006 ceremony after losing to Alan Arkin.
Billy Crystal and Jerry Seinfeld are also rumoured to be in contention for the hosting gig, and daytime queen Oprah Winfrey topped a U.K. poll of potential hosts.
Last year, actors James Franco and Anne Hathaway shared the hosting gig, but their performance was not well-received.
