The Real Reason Eddie Murphy Left The Oscars Early After Losing (And How Clint Eastwood Was Involved)

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It’s not unusual for the Oscars to have a few surprises, and Eddie Murphy’s loss at the awards show is one of those moments people still talk about. He was widely expected to win Best Supporting Actor for his role in Dreamgirls, but Alan Arkin took home the prize that year. What’s less known is that Murphy left the ceremony shortly after the announcement. Now, he’s finally explaining why he did, and surprisingly, he brought up Clint Eastwood as part of his explanation.

The Academy Awards are always full of memorable – and sometimes shocking – moments. We easily recall events like Will Smith’s incident with Chris Rock and the mix-up during the Moonlight/La La Land announcement, but often forget who actually won awards just a couple of years prior. Eddie Murphy recently shared a story about one such moment. After losing at the 2007 Oscars, he had a surprising interaction with Clint Eastwood that led him to leave the ceremony early – and it wasn’t because he was disappointed about losing, but what happened afterward.

Let me tell you about the Oscars that year. I didn’t win, and honestly, the aftermath was a little awkward. People just kept coming up, offering their condolences with these pats on the shoulder. Even Clint Eastwood got in on it! It got to the point where I realized I wasn’t going to stand there and be the guy everyone felt sorry for all night. So, I decided to just leave – it wasn’t a dramatic exit or anything, I just didn’t want to be that guy.

It’s surprising to remember that people used to believe Mike Myers, the actor who played Shrek, was upset about losing his Oscar. It certainly seemed that way, especially since he left the ceremony before Jennifer Hudson, his co-star, won Best Supporting Actress for Dreamgirls.

I don’t fault Murphy for wanting to save face. Losing a major Oscar is bad enough, but being consoled all night by previous winners felt even worse. While Clint Eastwood likely had good intentions, it seemed to be the final blow for Murphy. Apparently, the Coming to America star had already accepted Alan Arkin winning for Little Miss Sunshine months before either actor was even nominated for Best Supporting Actor.

Six months before Little Miss Sunshine was released, Jeff Katzenberg showed it to me. I was really impressed with Alan Arkin’s performance – even before I’d been nominated for any awards myself. I actually told Jeff afterward that I thought his performance was strong enough to win someone an Oscar. I remember saying those exact words! And then, of course, he won – but I don’t feel like he took the award from me.

It’s a bit silly to talk about someone “stealing” an Oscar, but people often feel upset when an actor they favored doesn’t win. For example, when Mikey Madison won Best Actress last year for Anora, some felt that Demi Moore deserved the award for her performance in The Substance.

It’s easy to get caught up in the spectacle of the Oscars and forget that real people actually choose the winners. Eddie Murphy points out that the decision often involves much more than just how good the movie or performance appears on screen.

Getting an Oscar isn’t a simple formula. It’s not about following a set of steps to guarantee a win. A lot of it comes down to less concrete factors – things like campaigning, a person’s history in the industry, and even unspoken expectations. All of that plays a role. Considering everything, Alan Arkin absolutely earned his Oscar as a recognition of his entire, impressive career. He’s a truly gifted actor.

I love recognizing talented actors who have consistently worked hard, and that’s why I’m hoping Adam Sandler gets the Oscar nomination – and wins – for his role in Jay Kelly. He’s already been nominated for a Golden Globe, which is great. However, as Eddie Murphy pointed out, even Sandler’s hugely successful career as both an actor and producer isn’t enough to guarantee a win. Sandler has been actively campaigning for this nomination, but ultimately, like most things in Hollywood, winning an Oscar often comes down to who has the most influence and resources.

Eddie Murphy absolutely deserved the award for his amazing role as Jimmy Early in Dreamgirls. But honestly, all the nominees were incredibly talented and deserving of recognition. Just being nominated is a huge accomplishment, and that’s what really matters, more so than the pressures and expectations that come with trying to win, as Murphy pointed out. You can see a clip of Murphy’s fantastic performance in Dreamgirls below:

Losing in 2007 seems to have been a turning point for Murphy. He now says that while winning awards isn’t important to him, he finds greater satisfaction in the enduring popularity and commercial success of his movies, and the fans who enjoy them.

I don’t think award shows are meaningless, and even a nomination is a real achievement. Many actors, like Timothée Chalamet said, strive for excellence and hope to be recognized at events like the Oscars. And I’ll always be watching and supporting the people I like, even when the broadcast moves to YouTube in the future.

Keep an eye out for the 2026 Oscar nominations, announced on January 22nd, to see who’s recognized and who’s overlooked. Then, watch the 98th Academy Awards live on ABC on March 15, 2026, to find out who takes home the prizes. You can currently stream the movie Dreamgirls with a Paramount+ subscription.

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2026-01-05 01:09