SubscribeMurphy, Ratner Gone. Grazer In for Oscars
Brian Grazer is in as the new producer of February’s Oscar telecast, the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences announced. Perhaps best known as Ron Howard’s filmmaking partner and cofounder of Imagine Entertainment, Grazer should steady the Oscar ship’s erratic course.
It’s a first for Grazer. But, said Academy president Tom Sherak in the statement released Wednesday, “he’s 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.” High points in the Oscar- and Emmy-winning producer’s resume: “A Beautiful Mind” and “Apollo 13,” “24″ and “Parenthood.”
Earlier in the week director and well-known bad boy Brett Ratner resigned his post as the show’s coproducer after causing a stir when he used a homophobic slur at a screening of his movie “Tower Heist” and then rubbed salt into an open wound yammering about his sexual proclivities on The Howard Stern Show. Murphy, set to host February’s show, followed his friend and director out the door. Perhaps, ironically, Grazer is a “Tower Heist” producer.
