2012 Oscars | Entertainment News, Photos, and Videos

Billy Crystal is replacing Eddie Murphy as host of the 2012 Academy Awards.

“Am doing the Oscars so the young woman in the pharmacy will stop asking my name when I pick up my prescriptions. Looking forward to the show,” the 63-year-old comedian tweeted on Thursday (November 10) – just one day after Eddie pulled out of the award show following Brett Ratner‘s resignation as producer.

The Academy officially confirmed the news, saying they’re “thrilled” to welcome Billy back to the Oscars stage. This will be Billy‘s ninth time hosting the Oscars.

Stepping in as producer is Brian Grazer, who has earned four Academy Award nominations and won for Best Picture in 2001 for A Beautiful Mind.

Eddie Murphy has withdrawn as host of the 2012 Academy Awards, it was announced on Wednesday (November 9).

“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,” the 50-year-old actor said in a statement.

“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,” Eddie added.

The news comes after Brett Ratner resigned as a producer of the telecast on Tuesday after using a gay slur.

The 2012 Oscars will air on Sunday, February 26, 2012. No word on who the new host will be!

Brett Ratner will no longer be producing the 2012 Academy Awards.

“I called [the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences president] Tom Sherak this morning and resigned as a producer of the 84th Academy Awards telecast. Being asked to help put on the Oscar show was the proudest moment of my career. But as painful as this may be for me, it would be worse if my association with the show were to be a distraction from the Academy and the high ideals it represents,” the 42-year-old director said in a statement (via THR, which first reported the news).

The announcement comes just a few days after Brett used a gay slur during a screening and later apologized for saying false comments about having sex with actress Olivia Munn.

Eddie Murphy, who worked with Brett on the new film, Tower Heist, is set to host the Oscars.

Eddie Murphy will host the 2012 Academy Awards, JustJared.com can confirm.

The 50-year-old comedian will team up with producers Brett Ratner and Don Mischer for his first Oscars hosting gig!

“I am enormously honored to join the great list of past Academy Award hosts from Hope and Carson to Crystal, Martin and Goldberg, among others,” Eddie said in a statement. “I’m looking forward to working with Brett and Don on creating a show that is enjoyable for both the fans at home and for the audience at the Kodak Theatre as we all come together to celebrate and recognize the great film contributions and collaborations from the past year.”

The 84th Academy Awards will air on Sunday, February 26, 2012.