LOS ANGELES -- Apparently Eddie Murphy was so upset about losing the Best Supporting Actor Oscar Sunday night that he immediately stormed out of the ceremonies -- but his representative said the actor's early exit was planned.
According to Fox News Online, Murphy abruptly left the show as soon as Alan Arkin was announced as the winner.
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Murphy's publicist, Arnold Robinson, told People.com, "Eddie had always planned on leaving after his category was announced to spend the rest of the evening with his family."
Robinson told People that Murphy actually left after his category was announced for the Golden Globes -- even though he won.
TMZ.com also referenced several reports, saying that Murphy was definitely "not smiling" as he left his seat, and because of leaving, he missed seeing Jennifer Hudson win her Best Supporting Actress -- and the performance of "Dreamgirls" Hudson, Beyonce Knowles and Anika Noni Rose.
Murphy was considered by many as the favorite to win the Oscar for his role as singer James "Thunder" Early in "Dreamgirls." He snagged several awards for the role prior to the Oscars, including Best Supporting Actor honors at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Arkin, however, won the honor for his "Little Miss Sunshine" role from the British Film Academy and was considered by many journalists predicting the outcome of the Oscars as a darkhorse to upset Murphy.
Hudson is hinting that Murphy's loss in the best supporting actor category had her a little on edge when her turn came up later on Oscar night.
The former "American Idol" singer said that she was "definitely shocked" when she saw that Murphy was denied his Oscar, especially with so much pre-Awards buzz saying the veteran actor was a shoo-in.
She said backstage that Murphy's loss made her "a little nervous" -- saying that Murphy "did an unbelievable job."
Hudson told reporters that when it comes to awards, she has already learned that "you can never be too sure."
Distributed by Internet Broadcasting Systems, Inc. The Associated Press contributed to this report. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
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