AceShowbiz - The Oscars of 1997 could have unfolded differently had Ryan Reynolds been in charge. In a recent interview on the Variety Awards Circuit podcast, the "Deadpool" actor reignited the debate about one of Eddie Murphy's most iconic comedic performances. He argued that Murphy should have won an Oscar for his role in "The Nutty Professor."

Reynolds, a seasoned comedic actor himself, highlighted the exclusion of Eddie Murphy as one of the biggest snubs in Oscar history. "One of the greatest injustices is that Eddie Murphy doesn't have an Oscar for The Nutty Professor or The Klumps," he stated unequivocally.

Reynolds believes that the Oscars often dismiss comedies as unworthy of serious consideration. He pointed to Murphy's performance in "The Nutty Professor" as an example of comedic brilliance that should have been recognized with the highest accolade.

Murphy portrayed seven distinct characters under heavy prosthetics in the 1996 film, a feat that Reynolds described as "singular." Chris Rock and David Koechner have also praised Murphy's performance, calling it one of the greatest performances of all time.

Murphy himself considers "The Nutty Professor" to be one of his finest works, stating that the makeups were so convincing that he could enter a room unnoticed. Despite the lack of Oscar recognition, Murphy is proud of his performance and believes it is a testament to his unique comedic talent.

Reynolds credits Murphy as one of his primary inspirations as a performer and believes that his ability to create distinct personalities for each character in "The Nutty Professor" is unmatched.

Reynolds' plea for more comedy recognition at the Oscars has sparked a renewed conversation about the value of this genre. While "The Nutty Professor" did win an Oscar for Best Makeup, it failed to secure a nomination for Murphy's performance.