Look Who is Hosting the 84th Oscar Gala

Eddie Murphy

Actor/comedian Eddie Murphy, widely known for the Saturday Night Live comedy television show and the Beverly Hills Cop's movies, will host the 84th Academy Awards telecast, according to an announcement yesterday by the producers of the awards telecast, Brett Ratner and Don Mischer, at the the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences® in Beverly Hill, California.

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

Murphy earned an Oscar nomination in 2006 for his supporting role as James "Thunder" Early in the movie Dreamgirls. This will be Murphy's first time hosting the Oscars®.

I must admit that the name of Edward Regan "Eddie" Murphy never crossed my mind as a possible host.  A few years back, I would have said, "Oh, no, he is a loose cannon." However, Murphy has, over the years, steadily honed his craft.  Thus, today, he seems like an excellent choice for host.

All told, movies in which he has performed have earned in excess of $7 billion worldwide during their theatrical releases, chief among them Beverly Hills Cop, The Nutty Professor and Shrek franchises. His performing career of three decades spans movies, television and the stage.

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