Why didn't Eddie Murphy win the Oscar in 2007?

Many critics believe the release of the poorly-reviewed comedy "Norbit" during the voting period distracted Oscar voters from his brilliant performance in "Dreamgirls," ultimately leading to Alan Arkin's victory.

How did Eddie Murphy react to his Oscar loss?

He left the ceremony immediately after the winner was announced. Murphy recently revealed he did this to escape the "sympathetic looks" from the audience, as he didn't want to play the "victim" all night.

Eddie Murphy Reveals: Why He Left The 2007 Oscars Early

In the world of Hollywood, the Academy Awards are considered the pinnacle of an actor’s career. However, for Eddie Murphy, the 2007 ceremony became an experience he preferred to forget quickly.

Murphy, who was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his brilliant performance in “Dreamgirls,” was widely considered the frontrunner. In a surprising turn of events, the award was given to Alan Arkin for his role in “Little Miss Sunshine.”Moments after the winner was announced, Eddie Murphy’s seat in the Kodak Theatre was empty. At the time, this move sparked significant backlash, with many accusing him of being disrespectful or a “sore loser.” Now, nearly twenty years later, Murphy has pulled back the curtain on the reality of that night in recent interviews.

“I Didn’t Want to Play the Victim”

In a candid statement, Eddie Murphy clarified that his departure wasn’t fueled by anger toward Alan Arkin or the organizers. Rather, he simply couldn’t stomach the idea of sitting in front of cameras all night with a “defeated” face. He explained:

“I didn’t want to be the guy that everyone is looking at all night saying, ‘Oh, poor guy, he didn’t get the award.’ I didn’t want to be the object of people’s sympathy for hours.”

He further noted that the atmosphere in the hall became stifling for him after the results. As an A-list comedian and star used to controlling the stage, Murphy chose to return to his private space rather than faking happiness or enduring pitying glances.

The “Norbit” Effect on His Oscar Loss

Many film critics believe that the timing of the comedy film “Norbit,” released right during the Oscar voting period, severely damaged Murphy’s chances. While he delivered a deep, dramatic performance in “Dreamgirls,” his appearance in a critically panned comedy supposedly shifted the Academy members’ mindset.

Nevertheless, Eddie Murphy emphasized in recent talks that while losing was bitter at the moment, he never let awards define his artistic value. He noted with a smile that being nominated was a victory in itself, but staying in the room just to “look like a victim” was not something he was built for.

A Powerful Return to the Arts

Following that period, Eddie Murphy went through a phase of being selective with his roles, eventually returning to the spotlight with successful projects like “Dolemite Is My Name.” He proved that even without a golden statuette, he remains one of the most influential figures in entertainment history.

Murphy’s Oscar exit story serves as a significant lesson in self-esteem and self-honesty in Hollywood a place where actors usually prefer to hide their true feelings behind masks of polite smiles.

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Source:www.foxnews.com