Ratner is a friend of Murphy's and directed his most recent movie, "Tower Heist."

The Hollywood Reporter has a quote from 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."

The announcement leaves producers some time to find replacements before the Feb. 26 ceremony

Eddie Murphy House

Eddie Murphy's father died when Eddie was quite young, and he, his brother, and step-brother were raised by his mother, a telephone-company employee, and his stepfather, a foreman at a Breyer's Ice Cream plant. His comic talent was evident from an early age, and by 15 he was writing and performing his own routines at youth centers and local bars, as well as at the Roosevelt High School auditorium.

>>> This photo is apromotional move for Eddie Murphy’s latest movie, Meet Dave, a giant head of the actor has been placed on atruck that’s taking a tour of the country.

Eventually, Murphy made it to a Manhattanshowcase, The Comic Strip. The club's co-owners, Robert Wachs and Richard Tienken, were so impressed with Murphy's ability that they agreed to manage his career. Wachs and Tienken succeeded in getting Murphy an audition for the revamped "Saturday Night Live" (1975), where he was eventually cast as a featured player, but by the end of his first season, however, he had moved up to star status.

Murphy was born in Brooklyn New York, in 1961, the youngest son of Lillian Murphy, a widow who married Vernon Lynch, the step-father of Eddie, his brother Charles Q. Murphy, and Vernon Jr. Eddie himself had aspirations of being in showbusiness since he was a child. A bright kid growing up in the streets of New York, Murphy spent a great deal of time on impressions and comedy stand-up routines rather than academics. His sense of humor and wit made him a stand out amongst his classmates at Roosevelt Junior-Senior High School. By the time he was 15, Murphy worked as a stand-up comic on the lower part of New York, wooing audiences with his dead-on impressions of celebrities and outlooks on life.


This is the Beverly Hills home of one of Hollywood’s most-successful (and not to mention richest) comedians, Eddie Murphy.

The home was built by Finton Construction and designed by renowned architect Richard Landry. His home includes a two-story library and 2-lane bowling alley.