Brett Ratner out of Oscars over gay slur

Director Brett Ratner attends the world premiere of "Tower Heist" on Oct. 24, 2011, in New York City. / Getty Images

LOS ANGELES - Brett Ratner resigned Tuesday as producer of next year's Academy Awards, one day after apologizing for using a gay slur at a screening of his latest film.

The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences confirmed Ratner's departure. President Tom Sherak said in a statement that the 42-year-old filmmaker "did the right thing for the academy and for himself."

"Brett is a good person, but his comments were unacceptable," Sherak said.

Ratner used a pejorative term for gay men during a question-and-answer session at a screening of his film "Tower Heist." He also discussed his sexual exploits on a recent episode of "The Howard Stern Show."

Ratner issued a lengthy statement Tuesday apologizing for his behavior and explaining his resignation as producer of the 2012 Oscar telecast. The academy had announced in August that Ratner would produce the show with TV veteran Don Mischer, who helmed the 2011 broadcast.

In a letter beginning, "Dear Colleagues," Ratner apologized for "the hurtful and stupid things I said in a number of recent media appearances."

"As difficult as the last few days have been for me, they cannot compare to the experience of any young man or woman who has been the target of offensive slurs or derogatory comments," he said.

Ratner went on to say that he is "taking real action over the coming weeks and months in an effort to do everything I can both professionally and personally to help stamp out the kind of thoughtless bigotry I've so foolishly perpetrated."

The director, whose credits also include the "Rush Hour" films, said that being asked to produce the Oscar show "was the proudest moment of my career," but he didn't want to distract from the academy "and the high ideals it represents."

Ratner thanked the Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation "for engaging me in a dialogue about what we can do together to increase awareness of the important and troubling issues this episode has raised."

GLAAD said Tuesday that it was working with Ratner to arrange public discussions with those in the entertainment industry about fair portrayals of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender people in film and television.

"Hollywood has the power and responsibility to grow acceptance of all communities," said GLAAD Acting President Mike Thompson. "We look forward to working with Brett and the industry in promoting positive, culture-changing images of our community and sending a message that such slurs, used to belittle gay and lesbian youth and adults every day, have no place in mainstream popular culture or the industry that creates it."

There was no word on whether Ratner will be replaced at the Academy Awards.

[Anotheryahoo]

Hollywood loves its gays, notice how so many big stars always seem to have to play a gay roll somewhere. Its almost mandatory these days.

[jerryomara]

Its amazing that there are people who think its PC that is so bad.

Try to say something about Israel or the Jews in Israel and thousands write in shocked and dismayed. But some one makes homophobic remarks and it is no big deal. It will no longer be tolerated.

[gronamox]

Who is he kidding? What was he on:pills, liquor or a combo when he opened his big mouth and played rich right wing fascist? I have seen it happen so many times in Hollywood, when a nice Jewish boy raised as a socialist or rapid liberal suddenly makes a lot of money or what he thinks is a lot of money and suddenly decides the GOP is right on about killing taxes on the rich and also their social agenda is damn good too. Thus an obviously ignorant drone hates people of color or "illegals" uses the N word at parties and loves to spew out words like ******, the 10 letter Lenny Bruce word, and any other defamation be it racist, anti-feminist, redneck violent speech. His apology is hollow. He is dead in the water. At least three major studios will bar him from the door, and if a TV awards show is his proudest moment why not bar him from any union set and be done with it. He and Michael Richards should look for a new planet.

[libertyfirst1776_]

PC is just a tool the left uses to silence their perceived enemies. Your offended? Sorry, I'm offended that I can't have my own opinion of you freaks and wierdos. We are all supposed to just sit back and take it as you steamroll us with your rainbow agenda? Take a hike, &#!#.

[ts102]

The PC thugs have yet another scalp for their collection.

[tychicum]

I can hardly wait until homosex is mandatory. Up yours ...