Alan Arkin Defeats Eddie Murphy | Best Supporting Actor Oscar 2007 

I absolutely love Eddie Murphy's performance in "Dreamgirls" and I will always feel that he was robbed of the Oscar.

My opinion on Dreamgirls as a whole; Bill Condon took the soul out of Dreamgirls. Hudson lucked out because of the hyperfocus on Effie and the number And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going, but the rest of the cast and film suffered in comparison to the stage musical. This includes Murphy, who's Jimmy Early was great but could've benefitted from additional scenes highlighting the effects of his drug use or the decline of his career. But that's just my take on it. My choices that year were either Murphy or Haley.

Little children is such an underrated movie and one of my favorites. I think the woman who played Haley's mom in the movie should’ve been nominated for supporting actress.

I would argue that a big reason Eddie lost the Oscar was due to his personal life and the headlines he was getting for it around that time. Murphy's then-girlfriend Melanie Brown was pregnant with his daughter, and he denied the child was his and demanded a blood test. It generated a lot of negative press at the time.

Great video! Arkin and Murphy are both world class actors who gave Oscar-caliber performances that year. My vote still would have gone to Murphy, and I think he deserved a nomination ten years earlier for The Nutty Professor!

I still think that Eddie Murphy should had won the Oscar for best supporting actor for Dream girls because he was absolutely brilliant as Jimmy "Thunder" Early. The reason why Alan Arkin won for Little Miss Sunshine was the long overdue narrative. It was more like a career achievement award . I still think that Eddie Murphy will win a Oscar one day. I wish there should have been a tie between Murphy and Arkin. Eddie Murphy should been nominated for the nutty professor as Best Actor in 1996.

Alan Arkin gave a timeless performance, his character probably wouldn’t have been as likable in someone else’s hands.

R.I.P. Alan Arkin. Preferred Eddie but Alan gave a memorable performance in Little Miss Sunshine. Good roundup of his career in this video, Brian.

Great video, as always! Although I’m happy with Arkin’s win, I think I would have voted for Jackie Earle Haley. He was so excellent as that troubled and troubling character. It’s great that Sean Penn and Kate Winslet each played a part in his ending up getting the role; I’ve a feeling he would have thanked them in his acceptance speech had he won.

Alan Arkin over Eddie Murphy in my opinion is the most surprising upset Oscar win. I remember reading an Entertainment Weekly article that year where they predicted the oscar winners. They predicted Eddie Murphy to win that year, but said if he should lose, it was because of Norbit. Maybe they were right. It's a shame though because Eddie was brilliant in Dreamgirls. Probably his best dramatic performance ever.

Another great video, I loved you cliffhanger for the following weeks haha, next videos can't come soon enough....

Arkin was very good, but Murphy was better IMO. Though Jackie Earl Haley was excellent in Little Children. That film deserves more attention. I do think Murphy should have won, but you laid out the reasons as to why he lost very well. Keep up the great work Brian, take care!

While I adore Alan Arkin’s unfiltered, flawed, but warm grandpa in Little Miss Sunshine, I was really routing for Djmon Hounsou in Blood Diamond. Probably category fraud, but it was powerful all the way through, and a much more likable character than Leo’s. His first nomination in In America was beautiful and was my primer for when he had received his second nomination. Such an incredible actor that needs more roles that are fitting of his acting prowess. Not to say that Eddie Murphy wasn’t on my mind, but I probably had him next, and that boosted after his Barbara Walters interview. Worse, to add insult to injury, Norbit ended up receiving an Academy Award nomination for makeup the following year 🤦‍♂️. I didn’t see it because it was apart of his decline in his career. I was disappointed that he didn’t receive a nomination for Dolomite is My Name. I do hope he has a renaissance of his own, but that TBA at this moment. Also hope Djmon Hounsou gets another Oscar nom soon and or wins. I gets in hind sight, Alan’s win was where the Academy could “correct” having passed him over for numerous other roles over a good 40 years between his last Oscar nom at the time and when he finally won it in 2007. I kinda wished that his character would have had more screen time, but it was a solid turn by Arkin, but I feel that the scene that got him the award had Abigail Breslin doing the heavy dramatic lifting. That is a shame that she’s yet to either have another shot or had a better trajectory in her career. I don’t say that peak Breslin. I do remember me routing for Abigail, but loved that Hudson took home the award for her stellar work in Dreamgirls. They just couldn’t deny her that. Hopefully Murphy lands a role that does the same where nobody could deny his brilliance in it, but it sucks that many great performances by minorities often get overlooked every year. Sorry for the rambling 😬.

Well, Robert Downey Jr. won for "Oppenheimer," so he is the first former SNL cast member to win an Oscar.

I was WAITING for this video!

Great video as always!!!

Watch Infernal Affairs. It’s the original. The Departed was based off of Infernal Affairs, and I like it a lot more.

I think that Eddie Murphy should have won for Dreamgirls. I also think that another reason that he did not win was that since Jennifer Hudson already had it in the bag and that the film was not nominated for Best Picture. The last time two actors won an Oscar for the same film that was not nominated for Best Picture was Hud in 1963 when Patricia Neal (Best Actress) and Melvyn Douglas (Best Supporting Actor) won, by the way Bill Condon is not an Oscar winning Director he is an Oscar winning Screenwriter when he won Best Adapted Screenplay for Gods and Monsters.

YOUR TOPICS ARE ALWAYS SO GOOD! I’M STILL MAD ABOUT THIS

The crazy thing is I remember when Sandra bullock was on her winning strike for the blind side back in early 2010 she released a horrible critically penned film called about all about Steve and literally won a razzie award for worst actress a week before she won the Oscar for the blind side I wonder what made her situation different from Eddie in terms of norbit ruining his Oscar win for dreamgirls

The most surprising thing about this category was that they went with Mark Wahlberg in The Departed when they could have easily gone with Jack Nicholson or Matt Damon

Best channel right now ❤

Can't wait to hear your thoughts on Tilda!!

2007 was an interesting year for surprise wins because of the wins for both Swinton and Cortillard!

I remember it was shocking when Eddie lost. Dreamgirls not getting nominated Best Picture was also super SUS given it had the most nominations

I was rooting for Eddie Murphy but one can't be mad at a win for Arkin

Could you please consider making a video about Mark Rylance defeating Sylvester Stallone in this very category several years ago? Thanks!

Little Miss Sunshine is an amazing film! I still rewatch it till this day. It’s funny, sweet and nice! It’s awesome and all the performances were fantastic! Sure Arkin’s character doesn’t make it to the end, but I don’t think he is in very little of the movie, he is in enough. He is supporting after all. His scenes are extremely memorable. I especially love his advices to Paul Dano’s character. I like Eddie Murphy a lot, he was also great. Either winning would have been fine. But Little Miss Sunshine is in my opinion the better and more memorable film. Also in a little film, things are more centered on the characters and acting. In a big musical the focus is on the music, dancing, costumes, cinematography.

Djimon Hounsou did the BEST performance out of these 5 nominations, even better than Murphy's - his scenes are bigger than life and so emotional in Africa, suffering for his son and his own safety. Djimon should've won, easily!

Could you do a video about Don Ameche? Or maybe a history of actors/actresses who won for sci-fi or fantasy films?

Jackie Earle Haley should have won for "little children".

Robert won his oscar now

Bowfinger is the role Murphy should’ve won an Oscar for. Brilliant performance

Norbit was hilarious … made me laugh harder than I’ve ever did

In living color - 1 Oscar Mad tv - 1 Oscar SNL- 0 oscars SNL has been on air for almost 50 years some cast member is going to break through and will win the Oscar in the future it’s just a matter of time.

You forgot about Randy Quaid who was already a nominee before he was on SNL.

Great video. I think the fact that Wahlberg has the final, redemptive scene in The Departed is what mostly lead to his nomination. I didn't care for his performance much, it was too "Boston" on top of "Boston" and if that was the point, it was a one-joke performance amongst many other more deserving performances in that film

i think you could also say that alan arkin winning the bafta that year was also another reason he won that oscar for that year.....after all the BAFTA and the SAG is the two big precursors to the Academy

Definitely Norbit. I can see an Oscar win in Bill Hader’s future.

Man poor Eddie. But I do blame Norbit a lot. I have never watched it, don't plan to. But the trailer itself is bad enough so I blame Norbit for ruining Eddie's oscar chances. If you compare his role from Dreamgirls to even the Norbit trailer you will see a big difference of what he can do. And Alan Arkin is a legend if anyone was going to surprise win it deserved to be him, I had such a crush on him in Wait until Dark(also the first Audrey Hepburn film I ever watched) so I'm glad Arkin got his oscar.

I thought you weren't going to mention "Norbit" that sort of situation had effected other actors it has a name "The Norbit Effect".

What you think about Oscar to Christoph Waltz vs Tommy Lee Jones???

I am still pushing for a video on Cathy Bates’ win.

Surprises me that Toni Collette didn't get a Best Actress Oscar Nomination for Little Miss Sunshine.

I remember this being a shock back in 07, and the rumor being that Murphy had stormed off the venue. But Arkin did not deserve that oscar that year it was a good performance but Murphy and Haley were better

Norbit!! I blame Norbit!!! They said no way we're giving that guy an Oscar!! Lol. I hate Norbit so much!!

Little Miss Sunshine and The Departed were my two favorite films of 2006. Those two movies were neck and neck to win Best Picture that year, I would’ve been happy if either film won since it’s like choosing between apples and oranges to me. Very happy about The Departed winning Picture and Scorsese’s overdue Director Oscar. But Alan Arkin winning Supporting Actor was quite a surprise. Even only having 15 minutes of screen time, I felt like Arkin made the most of it with his humor, charm and few heartfelt scenes. I’d say that scene in the hotel where he tells Oliver she’ll never be a loser is what earned him the Oscar. Eddie Murphy definitely did a lot in Dreamgirls showing his singing chops, being funny, energetic and charismatic. The primary reason I believe Eddie Murphy lost is because of Norbit, a critically panned movie released during his awards campaign decreased his chances to win an Oscar.

I personally would’ve given it to Djimon Hounsou. Particularly that scene in prison early on his heartbreaking

You have great segments and I really enjoy your excellent observations. It would make the segments more interesting if you worked on your voice intonation. You always hit the same downward notes. It is repetitive and a narrator needs variety. You seem to be rushing because of it.

I personally think Eddie should have won that year.

The oscars has previously received criticism for lack of diversity in its winners so we shouldn't overlook the racial factor....

I have watched 'Dreamgirls' and 'Little Miss Sunshine'. While Murphy's performance is good Arkin deserved to win. Arkin's performance made his character likeable.

I remember when this happened I ran and watched Little Miss Sunshine so fast. I was so sure Eddie had it locked I had to see how this happened.

I love shocker wins too! Last year was sooo predictable it wasn’t even funny. Fingers crossed for at least one upset next year

Small correction - Dreamgirls received eight nominations but only got into six categories. Three of its nominations were for Best Original Song.

Suggestion Anthony Hopkins wins over Chadwick boseman

Just seeing this video, so I am late on the response. I completely agree that Murphy should have won. I’m not a huge fan of musicals, but his performance was electrifying. I do prefer LMS as a whole to Dreamgirls, but I am glad that if anyone else won, it was at least Arkin. Though I do think Carell was more than worthy of a nom too for the same film.

Indeed “Little Miss Sunshine” is a PHENOMENAL film as was “Dreamgirls,” which the BEST musical I’ve seen since “Chicago” at that time. As much as I wanted Eddie to win, I do blame “Norbit” for his loss because I think Paramount wanted to capitalize on his pending win but in the end, the studio cost Eddie his Oscar. Paramount got themselves to blame for that.

I sometimes wonder if Eddie had lost because of the controversy around him denying his child with Mel B at the time, who knows... Maybe BAFTA voters are protective of their Spice Girls 😅

The reality is that Alan Arkin "defeated" 3 other actors besides Murphy. It is not as though it was between Arkin and Murphy only; there were five nominated actors: Alan Arkin, Mark Wahlberg, Djimon Honsou, Eddie Murphy and Jackie Haley. The title of the video is rather reductive in nature, as though it was a common boxing match. I'm glad the award is now announced "...And the Oscar goes to...." Much classier.

Don’t forget Laurie Metcalf!

The only thing in "Dreamgirls" that transcends cardboard artifice and is recognizably grounded in reality is Jamie Foxx's performance. Everything else in it is spectacularly unconvincing and underwritten. Murphy and Hudson sang along to music that wasn't at all indicative of the Motown sound it was ostensibly imitating, and no one in the picture has a fully dimensional character to play. So I was pleasantly surprised by Murphy's loss and would have been regardless of who beat him...yet I don't grok the acclaim for Arkin's work either. "Little Miss Sunshine" doesn't demand much from him or stretch his talent in any way. Familiar dirty grandpa schtick. I liked the movie a great deal, but he seemed tangential to its success. I haven't looked at it since it came out and I'm curious to take another gander and see if I can figure out what the fuss was about. Jackie Earle Haley gave the only great performance in the category, the others didn't deserve to be there.

IMO Eddie should have won it that year based on range and execution alone. No contest. I love Arkin; and even at his age he may still get a nomination down the line. But actors -- defined in media/culture as comic actors -- have a much slimmer chance. Of all the SNL alums, Murphy and Murray showed the greatest dramatic range and the best odds to win an AA. Chase is perhaps the only other male alum that had a shot in the 70s - 80s. That time has come to pass. At present, Katherine Wiig may be the last great SNL hope for an Oscar (as either a writer or actor).

Little Miss Sunshine is one of my top 10 favorite films and Alan Arkin was very good but I agree that Eddie Murphy definitely deserved the win.

I'm sure "Norbit" was the main reason Eddie lost. For me, Jack Nicholson was the performance that should have been recognized that year,

Can u do a video on scarlett johansson?

Djimon honsu peformance in blood diamond blows both of their peformance out the fucking window he stole every scene he was in he should have won all the awards 😢

I think beyond Norbit, there was Murphy’s refusal to acknowledge Mel B’s daughter. I rem feeling v disgusted by him around the time he got the Dreamgirls nom.

Eddie losing was the worst loss for me, cuz he slayed in Dreamgirls

I think Eddie should have won!!

Could you do a video about bette davis getting rob of the oscar for all about eve

If someone who should have upset Murphy that year was Haley...Haley was dauntingly good in Little Children..I am sorry but I don't find Arkin's character had enough nuance to win..just a grandpa riding in a van.Little Children way better movie than Little Miss Sunshine By the way, still waiting for Meryl Streep part 2 , Brian 🤔🤔

didn't finish yet but just had to comment that YES ADAM SANDLER SHOULD HAVE BEEN NOMINATED FOR UNCUT GEMS! ok now back to the vid lol

I saw every performance in the supporting category.. Djimon Honsou should have won instead of alan arkin.. Djimon has more acting range with that performance than alan. I think alan won because it was his third nod from the 70's and Little miss sunshine is a Best Picture Contender. Dream Girls is not.. If Dream girls is a best Picture Contender too maybe eddie could have won.

Eddie’s performance seemed like a Snl skit and not a dramatic performance

Yeah that one was a shock, I nearly cried for Eddie!! You didn't mention the clear racism that academy voters have shown over the years... you don't think it played a role here??

I likes Norbit

I don't understand why Alan Arkin was even nominated at all. His character and performance was barely memorable at all. Paul Dano was fantastic in Little Miss Sunshine and so was Steve Carell, who really played against type. Either of them should've gotten the nomination.

I find it hard to believe that Academy members watched both Little Miss Sunshine AND Norbit. The Academy was a lot older and whiter back then in ‘07. I saw both films in the theater. I feel like Murphy was robbed. Maybe this was revenge for what he said about the Oscars abysmal lack of diversity when it came to wins by black people at the time.

Cause he did norbit

ayo

One word "Norbit"

The mark rylance win is way weirder than the Arkin win

Fun fact Norbit is the only movie I have ever walked out of. Horrible timing for his oscar nomination

And now an SNL cast member has won!!

I haven’t watched yet but I can tell why Murphy lost with one word: Norbit.

I thought Mark Wahlberg was nominated in a movie in which he was nominated as a boxer?

I always thought Eddie suffered because he had a spice girl pregnant at the time

One word for Eddie losing - Norbit.

Reason number six which could probably be considered the main reason for Eddie Murphy losing: racism. I know big shocker

I never understood the love for little miss sunshine. It's a sweet film, but it felt solid not great. It's funny how it was huge and then quickly forgotten. Eddie should have won, but norbit came out during voting season. I think more than anything else, that movie cost him an Oscar.

Arkin wasn’t even the best supporting performance in his own movie-

Only one reason he lost: Norbit

I don’t think Norbit is the reason he lost I think it’s the fact that the academy hates comedy actors even if they nominate them they rarely ever win with Jamie Foxx and Mo Nique being the undeniable exceptions. Because they were clear front runners and the performances were too beloved to not award.

In my opinion, it should have been Eddie Murphy. No offense to Alan Arkin. But I guess I’d call it a tie

Eddie was definitely robbed. Little Miss Sunshine was great but he definitely was not the standout performance.

EDDIE WAS CHEATAED HERE !!!!!! HE SHOULD HAVE WON !!!!

Sorry, but Jackie Earle Haley deserved the win. He had the same comeback story as the dude from everything everywhere but a much more riveting performance.

Yep, that was robbery, and Alan Arkin character dies in the movie.

Uncut gems was terrible.