PRESS ASSOCIATION -- Comedian Eddie Murphy is set to host the 84th annual Oscar ceremony.
Academy Awards producers Brett Ratner and Don Mischer say the actor will host the 84th annual Oscar ceremony.
Ratner called the 50-year-old entertainer "a comedic genius; one of the greatest and most influential live performers ever".
Mischer called Murphy "a truly groundbreaking performer" whose "quick wit and charisma will serve him very well as Oscar host".
This will be Murphy's first time hosting the Academy Awards.
He was nominated for an Oscar in 2006 for his supporting role in Dreamgirls.
Murphy said in a statement that he is "enormously honoured" to join the ranks of past Academy Awards hosts such as Johnny Carson, Bob Hope, Billy Crystal, Steve Martin and Whoopi Goldberg.
The Pros And Cons Of Murphy Hosting The Oscars: