The Internet is blowing up with reports that Eddie Murphy is dead. NOT TRUE.

We made some calls, and Eddie is very much alive.

The frenzy was triggered by MediaFetcher.com. The site has been spinning bogus stories about other celebs they claim are dead but are not -- including Jon Bon Jovi, Charlie Sheen, Adam Sandler, TooShort, Dwayne Johnson, Kevin Bacon, Luke Perry, Jack Black, Will Smith, Jaden Smith, Tom Green, Mac Miller, Tiger Woods, George Clooney, and others.

Pavlov's dog could have figured this out quicker.

Eddie Murphy's ex-wife is out $7 million -- and now, the man accused of conning her out of the dough has been indicted on charges of money laundering, mail fraud and obstruction of justice.

According to the federal indictment, Troy Stratos defrauded Nicole Murphy out of a massive chunk of her divorce settlement from Eddie -- $7 million in all  ... nearly half of what she took away from the marriage.

According to the docs, Stratos acted as Nicole's financial manager -- telling her he had invested her millions overseas, when in fact he transferred the lion's share of the money to his personal accounts.

Stratos also allegedly promised to help her sell her swanky home in Granite Bay, CA -- but secretly lived there instead ... rent-free ... all while leasing luxury cars with her money.

What's more ... Stratos allegedly convinced Nicole to refinance the home -- as well as her other pad in Sacramento -- and then used the money to cover his personal expenses.

A rep for Nicole has no comment due to ongoing litigation.

Billy Crystal just announced ... he's replacing Eddie Murphy as the host for next year's Oscars show.

The legendary Academy Awards host tweeted just minutes ago -- "Am doing the Oscars so the young woman in the pharmacy will stop asking my name when I pick up my prescriptions. Looking forward to the show."

As we previously reported, Murphy backed out from hosting the show yesterday -- after his friend Brett Ratner resigned from producing it ... following uproar over a homophobic slur Ratner dropped at a film screening.

This will be Crystal's 9th time hosting the Oscars.

Eddie Murphy is showing the ultimate solidarity with good friend and producing partner Brett Ratner by quitting the 2012 Oscars, which he had agreed to host.

Ratner bailed -- though he may have had no choice -- after making a homophobic remark last week at a screening of "Tower Heist," which stars Murphy.

Murphy says he wanted to do the show and never says squarely he's bailing because Ratner is gone, but his statement leaves little doubt:  "I was looking forward to being part of the show that our production team and writers were just starting to develop, but I'm sure the new production team and host will do an equally great job."

Looks like the Motion Pictures Academy does better with old people -- they're generally a lot safer.

Good news boys and girls ... Mr. Robinson might actually return to the neighborhood.**

Eddie Murphy just told Ellen Degeneres he's finally gotten over his beef with "Saturday Night Live" ... the show that helped launch him into superstardom 25 years ago.

During the interview, Ellen asked, "Is there something going on that you have not been back for a while on SNL? Will you go back and host?"

Eddie replied, "Not anymore. Now, I’m cool.  I would go back if it was the right stuff, situation."

When Ellen asked why Eddie had issues with the show, he didn't come all the way clean ... but explained, "It was couple ... Over the years ... they did little s**tty  stuff where I was like, hey, f*ck y’all. I’m not trippin. It was years ago. I don’t have any bad blood with that show. And that show is such a big part of my past. I love being part of it. Yeah, I wanna go back."

It's long been rumored that Eddie's problem with "SNL" started with a sketch on David Spade's Hollywood Minute segment ... when a picture of Eddie appeared on screen and David said, "Look children, a falling star ... quick, make a wish!"

**For those too young to get the reference, check out Eddie's old Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood sketch (below) ... hilarious.

Eddie Murphy has something better than a limo to get him to his upcoming gig hosting the Academy Awards ... a brand new $200K Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG similar to  the one Taylor Lautner recently purchased.

The 50-year-old was spotted getting out of his luxury ride's gullwing doors in L.A. this weekend.

For your consideration.

Eddie Murphy's days as a donkey are OVER ... because last night outside Mastro's steakhouse, the comic legend told us, "No more Shrek ... I'm Shrek'd out!"




Maybe he'll finally get back into stand-up (fingers crossed)?????

Eddie Murphy's ex-wife is desperately trying to evict Kim Kardashian's ex-husband from her 9,200 sq. foot mega-mansion in Calabasas, CA ... all because the guy is allegedly more than $100,000 behind in rent.



TMZ has obtained eviction papers filed by Nicole Murphy, in which she claims music producer Damon Thomas has been habitually skipping out of his $30,000 monthly rent payment to live in the ultra-exclusive Southern California community where Britney Spears and other stars call home.

According to the docs, filed last week in L.A. County Superior Court, Murphy claims Thomas is behind a grand total of $114,500.

But TMZ spoke with Thomas, who tells us he's actually trying to buy the home -- and the rent dispute is the byproduct of a nasty negotiation.  Thomas also tells us he has since paid his debt to Murphy.

Calls to Murphy's reps were not returned.

"SNL" alums Chris Rock, 45, David Spade, 45, and Eddie Murphy, 49, got their joke on at the same event in Hollywood this week.


Question is ...

Maybe a semi-gross overstatement that Eddie Murphy is in Hugh Jackman's league, but he may still be breaking the law -- you're not allowed to take a six pack to the beach in Hawaii.

Eddie Murphy shed his shirt for a grind session at Bank Nightclub in Las Vegas last night.