Eddie Murphy Explains His Early Oscars Exit After Dreamgirls Loss

Eddie Murphy abruptly left the Academy Awards in 2007 after he misplaced the Finest Supporting Actor Oscar for Dreamgirls. A transfer that stirred up many rumors, with many believing that he stormed out as a result of he was offended. Nonetheless, this could not be farther from the reality.

Murphy’s function as James “Thunder” Early in Dreamgirls earned him his first Academy Award nomination. Whereas his efficiency was unimaginable, he was up in opposition to a tricky group of nominees, together with Mark Wahlberg for The Departed and Alan Arkin for Little Miss Sunshine, who finally took dwelling the Oscar that 12 months. Murphy was gracious and applauded for the actor, however he was noticeably absent after his loss and have become the topic of a lot hypothesis.

For the reason that actor didn’t stick round for Jennifer Hudson’s win for Finest Supporting Actress or the solid’s efficiency of the musical numbers that have been nominated for Finest Authentic Tune, rumors unfold that Murphy had stormed out of the ceremony as a result of he was upset about his loss. In actuality, the scenario was extra awkward than emotional.

In an interview with Leisure Weekly whereas selling his new documentary Being Eddie, Murphy revealed that he left as a result of he felt awkward that individuals felt sorry for him. After the loss, attendees saved approaching him with sympathy and reassuring him about his efficiency in Dreamgirls, which made the actor uncomfortable. So, he left as a result of he did not wish to consistently be pitied that evening.

What occurred was I used to be on the Oscars, I had misplaced, after which folks saved coming over to me and saved [patting] me on the shoulder. Clint Eastwood got here and rubbed my shoulder. And I used to be like, oh, no, no, I am not gonna be this man all evening. Let’s simply go away. I did not storm out. I used to be like, I am not gonna be the sympathy man all evening.

Murphy stated that he was already certain that Arkin would take dwelling the win earlier than the nominees had been introduced to the general public. He joked that after he watched Little Miss Sunshine, he knew that Arkin was going to “steal” the Academy Award that 12 months.

Jeff Katzenberg invited me over to see Little Miss Sunshine six months earlier than it got here out within the theaters, and I actually watched the film and I watched Alan and I hadn’t been nominated or something but, and I watched the film and I turned to Jeff afterwards and I stated, ‘Now that efficiency proper there may be a kind of performances that may steal any person’s Oscar. I stated these precise phrases. I used to be like, ‘He might steal any person’s Oscar,’ then he stole mine [laughs]. No, I do not really feel like he stole mine.

Murphy additionally praised his efficiency within the movie, stating that he was “hysterically humorous” within the film. He added that he was an distinctive actor general who had an unimaginable profession and that the award was properly deserved.

He completely deserves his Oscar for his complete profession. He is a tremendous actor.

Being Eddie is accessible to stream now on Netflix.