Eddie Murphy has followed his friend director Brett Ratner (“Tower Heist“) out the door of the Kodak Theater. Ratner resigned as co-producer of the Oscars on Tuesday after his conduct was called into question following his use of the term “fags” and a tasteless interview with shock jock Howard Stern.

In making the annoucement of Murphy’s departure Wednesday, academy president Tom Sheraksaid, ”I appreciate how Eddie feels about losing his creative partner, Brett Ratner, and we all wish him well.”

In the statement, Murphy said, “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. 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.