Brian Grazer Named New Oscar Producer

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Things move fast in Hollywood. Just hours after Eddie Murphy announced that he is stepping down from his Oscar-hosting gig following yesterday's resignation of Academy Awards show producer Brett Ratner, a new producer has been chosen: Brian Grazer.

Grazer, an Oscar winner in 2002 for A Beautiful Mind, will take on the producing chores of Hollywood's biggest night alongside Don Mischer, happening February 26, 2012. Grazer was also nominated for producing Frost/Nixon, Apollo 13 and Splash, and his current film with Leonardo DiCaprio and director Clint Eastwood, J. Edgar, has Oscar written all over it.

Academy President Tom Sherak said in a statement, "Brian Grazer is a renowned filmmaker who over the past 25 years has produced a diverse and extraordinary body of work. He will certainly bring his tremendous talent, creativity and relationships to the Oscars."

Mischer added, "I am thrilled to welcome Brian Grazer as my partner and that we will be collaborating to produce an outstanding show."

Grazer said, "It's very gratifying to be part of a show that honors excellence in the medium to which I have devoted so much of my career. Don is a legend, and I am excited to work with him."

The 84th Academy Awards will be presented live on ABC Sunday, February 26, 2012, from the Kodak Theatre in Hollywood.