So long, Eddie! Following his pal and director Brett Ratner out the door, Eddie Murphy has left the gig as the next host of the Academy Awards. Murphy's departure comes in the wake of Ratner's decision to resign as co-producer following the outrage caused by offensive comments he made in a recent interview.

Academy president Tom Sherak said, "I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well." Tower Heist star Murphy was equally diplomatic in his statement: "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."