This post to follow is showcasing the talents of a man who helped my sports bar grow throughout the life of our downtown Austin, Tx sports bar at 302 E. 6th St. known as The Sports Place Madison Square Garden from 1975 through the late 1980’s…..where we used two satellite dish with four receivers…..which allowed us to bring many sports events live via satellite…. when no other establishments had access to…..but one of the “top draws” at The Sports Place happened every Saturday night at 10pm…..and that is when our bleacher section would fill up with 175 – 200 fans to view NBC’s Saturday Night Live. By the time that Murphy came to SNL in the early 1980’s…..Madison Square Garden was known as the SNL Pre-Party on historic 6th St. to kick off your special Saturday night…..you could get a good buzz with $1 pitchers / $1 shots accompanied by the joyful satisfaction of “deep-belly laughter” amplified by a crowd…..and Eddie Murphy was the major reason the show didn’t lose any momentum after the deaths of John Belushi in 1982…..as he filled that hole really well….and then when Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd left the show after Gilda Radner’s death, Eddie Murphy carried the lion’s share of why SNL @MSG remained insanely popular until late in 1989 …..so, pure and simple, it gives us great pleasure to showcase Eddie Murphy …..cuz for me, every video that I watch will bring back some very fond memories…..and we hope you enjoy this life’s story of a truly funny funny man.
Comedy & Talk Shows – 2021 – The Tonight Show With Jimmy Fallon – With Special Guest Eddie Murphy – On The 1st Memory or Story That Comes To Mind on 5 Legends
Edward Regan Murphy (born April 3, 1961) is an American actor and comedian…..who rose to fame on the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live…..for which he was a regular cast member from 1980 to 1984. Murphy has also worked as a stand-up comedian and is ranked # 10 on Comedy Central’s list of the 100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time. Murphy has received a Grammy Award and an Emmy Award…..while being honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2015…..as well as the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2023.
Comedy – Biography – 2023 – A Crack Up! Production Special – “Eddie Murphy: Laugh ‘Til It Hurts!”
Murphy has received Golden Globe Award nominations for his performances in 48 Hrs. in 1982…..the Beverly Hills Cop series 1984 to present…..Trading Places in 1983…..The Nutty Professor in 1996…..and Dolemite Is My Name in 2019……plus, he has also won numerous awards for his work on the fantasy comedy film Dr. Dolittle in 1998 and its 2001 sequel. In 2007, Murphy won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor…..while receiving a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of soul singer James “Thunder” Early in the musical film Dreamgirls.
Movie & Comedy – Official Trailer – 1982 – From the Movie 48 Hrs. – Starring Nick Nolte + Eddie Murphy
Movie & Comedy – Official Trailer – 1984 – From the Movie Beverly Hills Cop – Starring Judge Reinhold + John Ashton + Paul Reiser + Bronson Pinchot + Eddie Murphy
Movie & Comedy – Official Trailer – 1983 – From the Movie Trading Places – Starring Dan Aykroyd + Ralph Bellamy + Don Ameche + Denholm Elliott + Jamie Lee Curtis + Eddie Murphy
Movie & Comedy – Official Trailer – 1996 – From the Movie The Nutty Professor – Starring Jada Pinkett Smith + James Coburn + Larry Miller + Eddie Murphy
Movie & Comedy – Official Trailer – 1998 – From the Movie Dr. Doolittle # 1 – Starring Oliver Platt + Ossie Davis + Peter Boyle + Eddie Murphy
Movie & Comedy – Official Trailer – 2001- From the Movie Dr. Doolittle # 2 – Starring Cedric the Entertainer + Kristen Wilson + Jeffrey Jones + Kevin Pollak + Raven-Symone + Eddie Murphy
Movie & Comedy – Official Trailer – 2007- From the Movie Dreamgirls – Starring Jamie Foxx + Beyoncé Knowles + Danny Glover + Anika Noni Rose + Keith Robinson + Eddie Murphy
Murphy has worked as a voice actor numerous times…..including roles playing Mushu in Disney’s Mulan in 1998…..Thurgood Stubbs in the sitcom The PJs from 1999 to 2001…..and Donkey in the Shrek franchise from 2001 to 2010…..when he earned a BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role nomination.
Movie & Comedy – Animated Movie Clip – 2020 – Walt Disney Animated Movie Mulan – Featuring the Movieclip of The Fa Family Ancestors Awaken and Mushu Destroys the Great Stone Dragon
Movie & Comedy – Animated Movie Clip – 2020 – The PJs Season 01 Episode 08 – “He’s Gotta Have It” – Featuring the Movie Clip of Eddie Murphy As Thurgood Stubbs
Movie & Comedy – Animated Movie Clip – 2001 – From the Movie “Shrek” – Featuring the Movie Clip of “Talking Donkey” – Starring Mike Myers + Eddie Murphy
In some films he plays multiple roles which were intended as a tribute to one of his idols, Peter Sellers…..when he has played multiple roles in Coming to America in 1988…..Vampire in Brooklyn in 1995…..the Nutty Professor films…..Bowfinger in 1999…..The Adventures of Pluto Nash in 2002…..Norbit in 2007…..and Meet Dave in 2008.
Movie & Comedy – Official Trailer – 1988 – From the Movie “Coming To America” – Starring Arsenio Hall + Eddie Murphy
Movie & Comedy – Mini Documentary – 1988 – A FilMagicians Production Special – “Eddie Murphy: The Transformation Into Saul of ‘Coming to America’ in His Double Role<“
Movie & Comedy – Movie Clip – 1995 – From the Movie “Vampire in Brooklyn” – Featuring the Movie Clip of “Preacher Saying That Ass is Good” – Starring Angela Bassett + Allen Payne + Kadeem Hardison + Eddie Murphy
Movie & Comedy – Official Trailer – 1999 – From the Movie “Bowfinger” – Starring Randy Quaid + Rosario Dawson + Joe Pantoliano + Lillo Brancato Jr. + Alissa Kramer + Heidi Kramer + Miguel A. Nunez Jr. + Illeanna Douglas + Eddie Murphy
Movie & Comedy – Official Trailer – 2002 – From the Movie “The Adventures of Pluto Nash” – Starring Steve Martin + Heather Graham + Christine Baranski + Eddie Murphy
Movie & Comedy – Official Trailer – 2007 – From the Movie “Norbit” – Starring Thandie Newton + Terry Crews + Cuba Gooding Jr. + Eddie Griffin + Katt Williams + Marlon Wayans + Charlie Murphy + Eddie Murphy
Movie & Comedy – Official Trailer – 2008 – From the Movie “Meet Dave” – Starring Elizabeth Burks + Ed Helms + Gabrielle Union + Eddie Murphy
His recent films include Tower Heist in 2011…..Dolemite Is My Name in 2019…..Coming 2 America in 2021…..and You People in 2023. In 2020, he won his first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for hosting Saturday Night Live. Murphy’s films have grossed over $3.8 billion ($6.5 billion adjusted for inflation) in the United States and Canada box office…..and over $6.7 billion worldwide. In 2015, his films made him the 6th highest grossing actor in the United States.
Movie & Comedy – Official Trailer – 2011 – From the Movie “Tower Heist” – Starring Ben Stiller and Eddie Murphy With Casey Affleck + Alan Alda + Matthew Broderick + Judd Hirsch + Téa Leoni
Movie & Comedy – Official Trailer – 2019 – From the Movie “Dolemite Is My Name” – Starring Keegan-Michael Key,+ Wesley Snipes + Mike Epps + Craig Robinson + Da’Vine Joy Randolph + Tituss Burgess + Eddie Murphy
Movie & Comedy – Official Trailer – 2021 – From the Movie “Coming To America 2” – Starring Eddie Murphy + Arsenio Hall + Shari Headley.+ Momzomo Mbatha
Movie & Comedy – Official Trailer – 2023 – From the Movie “You People” – Starring Eddie Murphy + Jonah Hill + Lauren London + Julia Louis-Dreyfus + David Duchovny + Nia Long + Molly Gordon + Travis Bennett
As a singer, Murphy has released three studio albums…..which includes How Could It Be in 1985…..So Happy in 1989…..and Love’s Alright in 1993. He is also known for singing the hit song “Party All the Time” in 1985.
Music – Music Video – 1985 – From the Album How Could It Be – Eddie Murphy – “How Could It Be”
Music – Music Video – 1985 – From the Album How Could It Be – Eddie Murphy – “Party All The Time”
Music – Music Video – 1989 – From the Album So Happy – Eddie Murphy – “I Got It”
Music – Music Video – 1989 – From the Album So Happy – Eddie Murphy – “With All I Know”
Music – Official Music Video – 1993 – From the Album Love’s Alright – Eddie Murphy – “Desdamona”
Music – Music Video – 1993 – From the Album Love’s Alright – Eddie Murphy – “Love’s Alright”
Murphy was born in Brooklyn, New York City…..while being raised in the borough’s Bushwick neighborhood…..where his mother, Lillian Murphy was a telephone operator…..and his father, Charles Edward Murphy (1940–1969), was a transit police officer and an amateur actor and comedian.
Comedy – Impersonations – 2023 – An Everything Hollywood Production Special – “Eddie Murphy: Everyone Forgot How Good Eddie Murphy Was At Impressions”
His father was murdered in 1969. He later stated: “My mother and father broke up when I was three and he died when I was eight, so I have very dim memories….he was a victim of the Murphy charm (laughs). A woman stabbed my father. I never got all the logistics. It was supposed to be one of those crimes of passions: “If I can’t have you, no one will” kind of deal.”
Comedy – Biography – 2022 – A Biography Bio-Short Production Special – “Eddie Murphy: From Foster Home to Hollywood”
When Murphy’s single mother became ill, eight-year-old Eddie and his elder brother Charlie (1959-2017) lived in foster care for one year. In interviews, Murphy has said his time in foster care was influential in developing his sense of humor. Later, he and his brother were raised in Roosevelt, New York, by his mother and stepfather Vernon Lynch, a foreman at an ice cream plant.
Comedy – Mini Documentary – 2021 – A The Review Production Special – “Eddie Murphy: The Beginning”
When Murphy was fifteen, he listened to Richard Pryor’s comedy album That Nigger’s Crazy…..which inspired his decision to become a comedian. As a child, Murphy developed playing multiple characters in imitation of his acting hero, Peter Sellers. Other early influences included Bill Cosby, Redd Foxx, Robin Williams, Muhammad Ali, Bruce Lee, and Charlie Chaplin.
Comedy & Movies – Movie Clips – 2012 – A Jasupreme Productions Special – “Eddie Murphy: The Very Best of Eddie Murphy’s Funniest Scenes”
On July 9, 1976, the date with which Murphy marks the beginning of his career, he performed in a talent show at the Roosevelt Youth Center…..while doing an impersonation of singer Al Green as Green’s song “Let’s Stay Together” played…..which led to work at other clubs within walking distance …..and then late-night jobs at locations that required him to commute by train. To do this, he secretly skipped school…..and after his mother discovered this at the end of his senior year, he was required to attend summer school.
Comedy – 2012 – A WatchMojo.com Production Special – “Eddie Murphy: Top 10 Eddie Murphy Moments”
In the early 1980’s, Murphy 1st earned national attention as a cast member on Saturday Night Live (SNL)…..and was credited with helping to revitalize the show after the original cast of Not Ready For Prime Time Players broke up following the deaths of John Belushi and Gilda Radner…..and the departure of Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd soon there after. Eddie Murphy brought extremely popular new characters to the show…..which included a grown-up version of the Little Rascals character Buckwheat…..a streetwise children’s show host named Mr. Robinson (parodying Fred Rogers, who found it amusing)…..a stylish 3-piece suit dressed pimp named Velvet Jones…..and a morose, cynical Gumby, whose trademark slogan became an SNL catchphrase: “I’m Gumby, dammit!” According to Joseph Clokey, whose father Art Clokey created Gumby, both of them “thought Eddie was a genius in the way he played that character”.
Comedy – SNL News – 2019 – Saturday Night Live Weekend Update Special – “Gumby (Eddie Murphy) Stops by Weekend Update to Remind Michael Che and Colin Jost Who He Is, Damn It!!”
Comedy – SNL Skit – 1983 – Saturday Night Live Comedy Skit Special – “Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood: Nutrition” – Featuring Eddie Murphy With Today’s Word “Nutrition” Which Leads to a Discussion On How to Eat Right on a Budget
Comedy – SNL Vintage – 2014 – A Saturday Night Live Commercial Parody Special – “Eddie Murphy: Buckwheat Advertises His Own Line of Jeans. They’re Otay!”
Comedy – SNL Skit – 1983 – Saturday Night Live Season 9 Comedy Skit Special – “Eddie Murphy: James Brown’s Celebrity Hot Tub Party ”
Comedy – Game Show Skit – 2019 – NBC’s Saturday Night Live Presents – “Black Jeopardy – With Competitors Rashad (Chris Redd) + Kiana (Ego Nwodim) + Mr. Velvet Jones (Eddie Murphy) and Hosted by Darnell Hayes (Kenan Thompson)
Comedy – SNL Skit – 1984 – Saturday Night Live Comedy Skit Special – “Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood: Christmas” – Featuring Mr. Robinson (Eddie Murphy) Talks About Christmas Being the Season for Giving… And Taking
Comedy – SNL Vintage – 1982 – Saturday Night Live Monologue Special – “Eddie Murphy: Eddie Loves White People”
Comedy – Recorded Story – 1982 – From the Comedy Album Eddie Murphy Parental Greatest Comedy Hit – “Buckwheat”
The Buckwheat character was retired in spectacular fashion…..while being assassinated, on camera, in front of 30 Rockefeller Plaza…..which was at Murphy’s request, after he grew tired of constant demands from fans to “Do Buckwheat! Do Buckwheat!” In Rolling Stone‘s February 2015 appraisal of all 141 SNL cast members to date, Murphy was ranked 2nd behind John Belushi…..so he filled Belushi’s shoes more than just sufficiently. “It is customary (and accurate) to say that Eddie Murphy is the only reason SNL survived the five-year wilderness without Lorne Michaels”, the magazine noted.
Comedy – SNL Vintage – 2011 – A Saturday Night Live News Brief Special – “Eddie Murphy: Buckwheat Dead and America Mourns A Fallen Hero”
Murphy’s early comedy was characterized by copious profanity and sketches lampooning a diverse group of people…..which included WASPs, African Americans, Italian Americans, overweight people and gay people. It was also the time when he released two stand-up specials…..when Delirious was filmed in 1983 in Washington, D.C. …..and due to the enormous popularity of Delirious, his concert film, Eddie Murphy Raw in 1987 received a wide theatrical release, grossing $50 million…..as the movie was filmed in the Felt Forum at Madison Square Garden in New York City. Comedians who cite Murphy as influencing them include Russell Brand, Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock.
Comedy – Stand Up – 1983 – A Television Comedy Special (Full Show) – “Eddie Murphy: Delirious” – The Funniest Standup Comedy Special of All Time
Comedy & Movie – Stand Up – 1987 – A Standup Comedy Feature Film – “Eddie Murphy: RAW” – On Italian’s After They Have Seen Rocky
Comedy & Movie – Stand Up – 1987 – A Standup Comedy Feature Film – “Eddie Murphy: RAW” – On Drunk Father
Comedy & Movie – Stand Up – 1987 – A Standup Comedy Feature Film – “Eddie Murphy: RAW” – On McDonalds
Comedy & Movie – Stand Up – 1987 – A Standup Comedy Feature Film – “Eddie Murphy: RAW” – About Men and Women
Comedy & Movie – Stand Up – 1987 – A Standup Comedy Feature Film – “Eddie Murphy: RAW” – On Michael Jackson, Mr. T and Gay People
Comedy & Movie – Stand Up – 1987 – A Standup Comedy Feature Film – “Eddie Murphy: RAW” – On Finding a Wife in Africa
Comedy & Movie – Stand Up – 1987 – A Standup Comedy Feature Film – “Eddie Murphy: RAW” – On Homosexuals
Comedy & Movie – Stand Up – 1987 – A Standup Comedy Feature Film – “Eddie Murphy: RAW” – On Dick Threats
In 1982, Murphy made his big-screen debut in the film 48 Hrs. with Nick Nolte…..which proved to be a hit when it was released during the Christmas season of 1982. Nolte was scheduled to host the December 11, 1982, Christmas episode of Saturday Night Live…..but became too ill to host, so Murphy took over…..as he became the only cast member to ever host while still a regular member of the cast. Murphy opened the show with the phrase, “Live from New York, it’s the Eddie Murphy Show!”
Movie & Comedy – Movie Clip – 1982 – From the Movie 48 Hrs – Starring Nick Nolte + Eddie Murphy – Redneck Bar Scene
Comedy – Monologue – 1982 – A Saturday Night Live Production Special – “Eddie Murphy: Opening Monologue When He Announces Live from New York, It’s The Eddie Murphy Show“
The following year Murphy starred in Trading Places with fellow SNL alumnus Dan Aykroyd…..as the movie marked the first of Murphy’s collaborations with director John Landis…..who also directed Murphy in Coming to America in 1988 and Beverly Hills Cop III in 1994. Trading Places was an even greater box office success than 48 Hrs.
Movie & Comedy – Movie Clips – 1983 – From the Movie Trading Places – Starring Eddie Murphy + Dan Aykroyd – Featuring the “No Legs” Scene
Movie & Comedy – Movie Clips – 1988 – From the Movie Coming To America – Starring Eddie Murphy + Arsenio Hall- Featuring All the “Barbershop” Scenes
Movie & Comedy – Movie Clips – 1994 – From the Movie Beverly Hills Cop 3 – Starring Eddie Murphy +Judge Reinhold – Featuring “The Awards Dinner” Scene
Murphy appeared in Best Defense in 1984, co-starring Dudley Moore. Murphy, who was credited as a “Strategic Guest Star”, was added to the film after an original version was completed but tested poorly with audiences. Best Defense was a major financial and critical disappointment…..so, when he hosted SNL, Murphy joined the chorus of those bashing Best Defense, calling it “the worst movie in the history of everything”. That same year he won a Grammy Award for Best Comedy Recording for his album Eddie Murphy: Comedian…..an over his career has been nominated for a total of three Grammy Awards.
Comedy – Record Album – 1983 – From the Live Album Eddie Murphy: Comedian – On Faggots Revisited / Sexual Prime
Comedy – Record Album – 1983 – From the Live Album Eddie Murphy: Comedian – On The Fart Game
Murphy starred in the successful action comedy film Beverly Hills Cop in 1984…..as the film was his 1st solo leading role…..which grossed over $230 million at the U.S. box office…..while becoming the highest-grossing film released in 1984, the highest-grossing comedy of all time and the highest-grossing “R”-rated film of all time…..and as of May 2018, it was 46th in the list of all-time U.S. box office grossers after adjusting for inflation…..and 3rd highest amongst “R”-rated films. Murphy was offered a part in Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home in 1986…..which was a role that, after being heavily re-written from comic relief to love interest, ultimately went to Catherine Hicks. By this time, Murphy’s near-exclusive contract with Paramount Pictures rivaled Star Trek as Paramount’s most lucrative franchise. By 1986, he launched Eddie Murphy Television Enterprises with a deal at Paramount Television.
Movie & Comedy – Movie Clips – 1984 – From the Movie Beverly Hills Cop – Starring Eddie Murphy + Judge Reinhold + John Ashton + Lisa Eilbacher – Featuring the Serge & Achmed Scene
Murphy starred in the supernatural comedy The Golden Child in 1986….albeit the movie performed well at the box office, the movie was not as well received as 48 Hrs., Trading Places, and Beverly Hills Cop. The Golden Child was considered a change of pace for Murphy because of the supernatural setting as opposed to the “street smart” settings of his previous efforts. Not long afterward, he reprised his role of Axel Foley in the Tony Scott-directed Beverly Hills Cop II in 1987…..which was a box-office success while grossing almost $300 million worldwide. By the end of the decade, Eddie Murphy was Hollywood’s biggest box office star. In 1988, Murphy and his Eddie Murphy Television Enterprises company had struck a deal with CBS.
Movie & Comedy – Movie Clips – 1987 – From the Movie Beverly Hills Cop 2 – Starring Eddie Murphy + Judge Reinhold + John Ashton + Jurgen Prochnow – Featuring the “Lutz Gets Fired” Scene
From 1989 onward, critical praise for Murphy’s films declined…..while hitting a low point with the critically panned Beverly Hills Cop III in 1994…..which was a movie Murphy denounced during an appearance on Inside the Actors Studio. Box-office receipts also declined compared to his previous films, albeit he did find some box office success with Another 48 Hrs. in 1990…..and Boomerang in 1992. On Harlem Nights in 1989, Murphy worked as director, producer, star and co-writer with his brother, Charlie Murphy…..as the film featured Murphy’s comic idols Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx in supporting roles.
Comedy & Talk Shows – Interview – 2006 – An Inside the Actors Studio with Byron Allen Retrospective Interview – With Special Guest Eddie Murphy – Part 1
Comedy & Talk Shows – Interview – 2006 – An Inside the Actors Studio with Byron Allen Retrospective Interview – With Special Guest Eddie Murphy – Part 2
Comedy & Talk Shows – Interview – 2006 – An Inside the Actors Studio with Byron Allen Retrospective Interview – With Special Guest Eddie Murphy – Part 3
Comedy & Talk Shows – Interview – 2006 – An Inside the Actors Studio with Byron Allen Retrospective Interview – With Special Guest Eddie Murphy – Part 4
During this period Murphy was criticized by filmmaker Spike Lee for not using his status to help Black actors break into film…..although as Murphy’s prominence increased, his films, especially those he produced, often had a mainly Black cast as found in Coming to America, Harlem Nights, Boomerang, Vampire in Brooklyn and Life. Many Black actors who later received greater recognition made early appearances in Murphy’s films….. such as Damon Wayans in Beverly Hills Cop…..Halle Berry and Martin Lawrence in Boomerang…..Samuel L. Jackson and Cuba Gooding Jr. in Coming to America…..Dave Chappelle in The Nutty Professor…..and Chris Rock in Beverly Hills Cop II. Naming The Nutty Professor his favorite comedy, Rock regards Murphy’s performance in the film as being so great he had “been robbed of an Oscar”…..while adding his various performances were “Peter Sellers-esque”.
Movie & Comedy – Movie Clips – 1989 – From the Movie Harlem Nights – Starring Eddie Murphy + Richard Pryor + Redd Foxx + Danny Aiello + Michael Lerner + Della Reese and Murphy’s Older Brother Charlie – Featuring the “Vera And Quick Alley Fight”
Movie & Comedy – Movie Clips – 1992 – From the Movie “Boomerang” – Starring Eddie Murphy + Robin Givens + Halle Berry + Chris Rock + Grace Jones – Featuring the “No Man Can Turn This Down“ Scene
Movie & Comedy – Movie Clips – 1999 – From the Movie “Life” – Starring Eddie Murphy + Martin Lawrence + Obba Babatunde + Ned Beatty + Bernie Mac + Rick James – Featuring the “The Cafeteria“ Scene
Movie & Comedy – Entire Film – 1996 – The Nutty Professor – Starring Eddie Murphy + Jada Pinkett Smith + James Coburn + Larry Miller
Although Murphy has enjoyed commercial success since Saturday Night Live, he did not participate in the making of the Live from New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live retrospective book by Tom Shales and James Andrew Miller in 2002…..nor did he ever attend cast reunions or anniversary specials until his appearance on the SNL 40th anniversary special. Murphy told Rolling Stone he distanced himself from the show because he was angry with David Spade over the latter’s joke about Murphy’s career during a segment on SNL…..as well as with Lorne Michaels and the production staff for allowing the joke in the 1st place. Murphy and Spade have since reconciled.
Comedy – Monologue – 2019 – Saturday Night Live Christmas Show – With Host Eddie Murphy – Featuring His Monologue
Murphy followed The Nutty Professor with a series of successful family-friendly movies like Mulan in 1998…..Dr. Dolittle also in 1998 and its 2001 sequel…..the Shrek series…..Daddy Day Care in 2003…..and The Haunted Mansion also 2003…..along with Nutty Professor II: The Klumps in 2000. However, most of his movies meant for more adult audiences performed moderately like in Metro in 1997…..I Spy in 2002…..and Showtime in 2002 all grossed less than $40 million domestically…..and Holy Man in 1998 performed poorly grossing less than $13 million…..and The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002) is on record as one of the biggest financial failures all time, grossing just $7 million worldwide on a reported massive $110 million budget. An exception to this run of poorly received adult-themed films was the Frank Oz comedy Bowfinger in 1999…..also starring Steve Martin…..as the film garnered generally positive critical reviews and grossed $98 million at the box-office.
Comedy – Animated Film – 1998 – A MythicalWeirdo Production Special – “Eddie Murphy: Scenes From the Movie “Mulan” With a Compilation of Musha’s Scenes”
Movie & Comedy – Movie Clips – 1998 – From the Movie “Dr. Doolittle” – Starring Eddie Murphy + Norm McDonald + Jeffrey Tambor – Featuring the Scene with Lucky at the Veterinarian
Movie & Movie & Comedy – Animated Movie Clips – 1998 – From the Movie “Shrek” – Starring Eddie Murphy (Donkey) + Mike Myers (Shrek) – Featuring the Scene “Ogres Are Like Onions”
Movie & Movie & Comedy – Animated Movie Clips – 1998 – From the Movie “Shrek” – Starring Eddie Murphy (Donkey) + Mike Myers (Shrek) – Featuring “The Best Scenes of Donkey”
Movie & Comedy – Movie Clips – 2003 – From the Movie “Daddy Day Care” – Starring Eddie Murphy + Jeff Garlin + Steve Zahn + Regina King + Anjelica Huston – Featuring “Best Scenes of Eddie Murphy Starting His Daddy Day Care Business” Scenes
Movie & Comedy – Movie Clips – 2003 – From the Movie “The Haunted Mansion” – Starring Eddie Murphy + Terence Stamp + Nathaniel Parker + Marsha Thomason + Jennifer Tilly – Featuring the Scene of the Original Mansion Owners Reuniting
Movie & Comedy – Movie Clips – 2003 – From the Movie “The Nutty Professor 2: The Klumps” – Starring Eddie Murphy + Janet Jackson, Larry Miller, John Ales – Featuring the Family at the Restaurant With Trumpets and Asses Scene
Murphy starred in the motion picture version of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls in 2006…..as soul singer James “Thunder” Early…..when Murphy won a Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor…..as well as a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award in that….. and several reviews for the film highlighted Murphy’s category performance while he received some pre-release Academy Awards buzz.
Music & Movies – 2006 – From the Movie “Dreamgirls” – Jimmy Early (Eddie Murphy) Sings “I Never Meant To Hurt You” and “Jimmy’s Got Soul”
Murphy was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor on January 23, 2007…..but lost to Alan Arkin for his performance in Little Miss Sunshine…..as it was speculated that one of the reasons Murphy lost out on winning the Academy Award was the negative reviews of his subsequent film Norbit…..which was released in early February 2007…..when Murphy notoriously exited the 79th Academy Awards as soon as Arkin was announced the winner. In 2007 Murphy was invited to join the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.
Movie & Comedy – Movie Clips – 2007 – From the Movie “Norbit” – Starring Eddie Murphy in Both Parts of the “Car Scene”
In February 2015, Murphy attended the Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special where Chris Rock introduced him in a special tribute dedicated to him. Murphy was greeted with an enthusiastic standing ovation from the crowd of comedians and stars…..albeit he received criticism for his brief appearance, declining to tell any jokes…..and for not reprising his iconic SNL characters.
Comedy – Monologue – 2019 – Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Show – With Host Eddie Murphy – Featuring His Monologue
On October 15, 2015, Murphy was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C…..while those who honored Murphy at the event included Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Trevor Noah, George Lopez, Kevin Nealon, Kathy Griffin, Tracy Morgan, Joe Piscopo, Jay Pharoah and Dick Gregory. Murphy co-starred with actress Britt Robertson in the drama Mr. Church (2016) for which he received critical acclaim.
Comedy & Awards Show – 2015 – The Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center Awards Show – Honoring Eddie Murphy – With Dave Chappelle + Kathy Griffin + Arsenio Hall + Chris Rock + Tracy Morgan + Joe Piscopo et al
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Movie – Official Trailer – 2016 – For the Movie “Mr. Church” – Starring Eddie Murphy + Britt Robertson + Xavier Samuel + Lucy Fry + Christian Madsen + Natascha McElhone + Mckenna Grace – In The Story About a Cook Who Becomes a Caretaker and Father Figure to 3 Generations of Women
In October 2019, Murphy produced and starred in Dolemite Is My Name as Rudy Ray Moore…..when the film was distributed on Netflix and received overwhelming critical acclaim…..as the film holds a 97% on Rotten Tomatoes with the critics consensus reading, “Eddie Murphy makes Dolemite Is My Name just as bold, brash, and ultimately hard to resist as its subject.” For his work, Murphy received a Golden Globe Award nomination for the film.
Movie & Comedy – Movie Clips – 2019 – From the Movie “Dolemite Is My Name” – Starring Eddie Murphy + Keegan-Michael Key + Wesley Snipes + Mike Epps + Da’Vine Joy Randolph + Tituss Burgess“Radio Station” – With Snoop + Eddie
Movie & Comedy – Movie Clips – 2019 – From the Movie “Dolemite Is My Name” – Starring Eddie Murphy + Keegan-Michael Key + Wesley Snipes + Mike Epps + Da’Vine Joy Randolph + Tituss Burgess – Featuring Dolemite’s Night Clup Standup On” Signifying Monkey Way Down in the Jungle Deep”
In December 2019, Murphy returned to Saturday Night Live to promote Dolemite…..as this was his 1st time hosting since 1984…..when his hosting duties received overwhelming acclaim from audiences and critics alike…..while making it the highest watched episode since 2008 when Tina Fey played Sarah Palin. Comedians Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Tracy Morgan, and Kenan Thompson welcomed Murphy back in the opening monologue…..then Murphy went on to reprise his popular SNL characters such as Mr. Robinson, Gumby, Buckwheat, and Velvet Jones. Murphy won his 1st ever Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for hosting the episode.
Comedy – SNL Skit – 2019 – Saturday Night Live Christmas Skit Special – “Host Eddie Murphy: North Pole News Report”
Comedy – SNL Skit – 2019 – Saturday Night Live Christmas Skit Special – “Host Eddie Murphy: Home For The Holidays”
Comedy – SNL Skit – 2019 – Saturday Night Live Christmas Skit Special – “Host Eddie Murphy: Holiday Baking Championship”
Murphy and most of the cast reprised their roles in the Coming to America sequel Coming 2 America…..which was released in March 2021.
Movie & Comedy – Movie Clips – 2021 – From the Movie “Coming To America 2” – Starring Eddie Murphy + Eddie Murphy + Arsenio Hall + James Earl Jones + Jermaine Fowler + Leslie Jones – Featuring Scene Where Akeem Arranges A Marriage For His Son After The Best Proposal
On December 6, 2013, it was announced that Murphy would star in the 4th film of the Beverly Hills Cop series…..as Brett Ratner was at the time set to direct the film, Jerry Bruckheimer was confirmed to produce the film and Josh Appelbaum and Andre Nemec would write. In a June 2014 interview, Murphy discussed the plot of the film, saying it would take place and film in Detroit, bringing in an estimated $56.6 million to the state of Michigan. On June 14, 2016, it was confirmed that Murphy was still set to reprise his role as Axel Foley in a 4th film. In December 2019, it was reported that Netflix would distribute the film…..which was ultimately directed by Mark Molloy. In September 2021, he and his Eddie Murphy Productions company signed a deal with Amazon Studios.
Comedy – Netflix Series – 2019 – Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee with Jerry Seinfeld Production Special – “Eddie Murphy: Doing Impressions of Mike Tyson + Tracy Morgan + Michael Jackson + Sammy Davis”
Murphy is also a singer, having frequently provided background vocals to songs released by the Bus Boys…..as the song “(The Boys Are) Back in Town” was featured in 48 Hrs. and Murphy’s comedy special Eddie Murphy Delirious. As a solo artist, Murphy had two hit singles, “Party All the Time” (produced by Rick James) and “Put Your Mouth on Me”, during the latter half of the 1980’s. He had started singing earlier in his career…..with the songs “Boogie in Your Butt” and “Enough Is Enough”…..with the latter being a parody of Barbra Streisand’s and Donna Summer’s 1979 song, “No More Tears”…..as both songs appeared on his 1982 self-titled comedy album.
Music – Music Video – 1985 – From the Album“How Can It Be” – Eddie Murphy – “Party All The Time” – with Rick James
Music – Music Video – 1989 – From the Album“So Happy” – Eddie Murphy – “Put Your Mouth On Me”
Music – Music Lyrics Video – 1982 – From the Comedy Album“Eddie Murphy” – “Boogie In Your Butt”
Music – 1982 – From the Comedy Album“Eddie Murphy” – Eddie Murphy Sings “Enough Is Enough”
Music – Music Video – 2013 – From the Forthcoming “9” Album – Eddie Murphy – “Promise You Won’t Break My Heart”
Murphy recorded the album Love’s Alright in the early 1990’s. He performed in a music video of the single “Whatzupwitu”, featuring Michael Jackson. He recorded a duet with Shabba Ranks called “I Was a King”…..then in 1992, Murphy appeared in the music video for Michael Jackson’s “Remember the Time” alongside Magic Johnson and Iman.
Music – Recorded Album – 1992 – From the Album “Love’s Alright” – Eddie Murphy + Elton John + Many More – “Yeah”
Music – Music Video – 1993 – From the Album “Love’s Alright” – Eddie Murphy + Michael Jackson – “Whatzupwitu”
Music – Music Video – 1992 – A Reggae Sunsplash in Jamaica Production Duet Special – Eddie Murphy + Shabba Ranks – “I Was A King”
Music – Music Video – 2010 – From the Album “Dangerous” – Michael Jackson – “Remember The Time” – With Eddie Murphy + Iman + Magic Johnson
Though uncredited, Murphy provided vocal work on SNL castmate Joe Piscopo’s 1985 comedy single, “The Honeymooners Rap”…..when Piscopo impersonated Jackie Gleason on the single…..while Murphy provided an imitation of Art Carney.
Music – Single 45rpm Record – 2022 – Joe Piscopo (Jackie Gleason) + Eddie Murphy (Art Carney) – “The Honeymooners Rap”
Murphy performed several songs in the Shrek film franchise…..when in the 1st film, he performed a version of the Monkees’ “I’m a Believer” in the film’s final scene…..then in Shrek 2, he performed Ricky Martin’s hit “Livin’ La Vida Loca” along with co-star Antonio Banderas…..and then Murphy performed “Thank You (Falletin Me Be Mice Elf Again)” for Shrek the Third, once again with Banderas. In 2013, he released his 1st single in many years titled “Red Light”, a reggae song featuring Snoop Dogg…..plus, he’s also working on a new album titled 9.
Music & Movie – Animated Movie Music – 2001 – From the Movie “Shrek” – Eddie Murphy Sings “I’m A Believer”
Music & Movie – Animated Movie Music – 2004 – From the Movie “Shrek 2” – Eddie Murphy + Antonio Banderas Duet “Living The Vida Loca”
Music & Movie – Animated Movie Music – 2007 – From the Movie “Shrek The Third” – Eddie Murphy + Antonio Banderas Duet – “Thank You (Falletin Me Be Mice Elf Again)”
Music – Music Video – 2013 – From the Forthcoming Album“9” – Eddie Murphy – “Red Light ft. Snoop Lion”
Murphy had two sons in quick succession around the end of the 1980’s: Eric (born c. 1989), with then-girlfriend Paulette McNeely; and Christian (born c. 1990), with then-girlfriend Tamara Hood. Murphy began a longtime romantic relationship with Nicole Mitchell after meeting her in 1988 at an NAACP Image Awards show…..then they lived together for almost two years before getting married at the Grand Ballroom of the Plaza Hotel in New York City on March 18, 1993. Murphy and Mitchell have five children together: Bria, Myles, Shayne, Zola, and Bella. In August 2005, Mitchell filed for divorce, citing “irreconcilable differences”…..with the divorce being finalized on April 17, 2006.
Comedy – Family Profile – 2018 – A Nicki Swift Production Special – “Eddie Murphy: On His Family and 10 Children”
Following his divorce from Mitchell, in 2006, Murphy began dating former Spice Girl Melanie Brown…..who became pregnant and said the child was Murphy’s…..when he was questioned about the pregnancy in December 2006, by RTL Boulevard, Murphy told Dutch reporter Matthijs Kleyn, “I don’t know whose child that is until it comes out and has a blood test. You shouldn’t jump to conclusions, sir.” Brown gave birth to a baby girl, Angel Iris Murphy Brown, on Murphy’s 46th birthday, April 3, 2007…..when on June 22, 2007, representatives for Brown announced that a DNA test had confirmed Murphy was the father. Brown had stated in an interview that Murphy has not sought a relationship with Angel…..albeit was later reported in 2010 that Murphy was getting to know her.
Comedy – Family Profile – 2022 – A Rumor Juice Production Special – “Eddie Murphy: On Having Ten Kids & Five Baby Mamas”
Murphy exchanged vows with film producer Tracey Edmonds, former wife of Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, on January 1, 2008, in a private ceremony on an island off Bora Bora…..then on January 16, 2008, the couple released a statement describing the ceremony as a “symbolic union…..when After much consideration and discussion, we have jointly decided that we will forgo having a legal ceremony as it is not necessary to define our relationship further”…..and that they would “remain friends” instead of pursuing a romantic relationship. In May 2016, Murphy had a daughter by Australian model Paige Butcher…..whom he has been dating since 2012…..as the two are also parents of a son born in November 2018…..and in September 2018 they became engaged to be married…..as their son’s middle name pays tribute to Murphy’s late brother, Charlie…..who died of leukemia in 2017.
Comedy – Mini Documentary – 2017 – A Comedy Hype Production Special – “Charlie Murphy Was More Than Eddie Murphy’s Brother, Here’s Proof”
Murphy has donated money to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation…..as well as cancer, education, creative arts, family support, health and homeless charities. He has donated to the Martin Luther King Jr. Center…..as well as $100,000 to the Screen Actors’ Guild’s strike relief fund.
Comedy – Career Highlights – 2022 – An Eddie Murphy Comedy Production Special – “Eddie Murphy: Funniest Moments Compilation”
Murphy is a baptized Catholic, and after saying so to Rolling Stone in 2011, he remarked, “But I don’t want to have no religion. I have Christian-based values and beliefs.” Section 746 of the 2010 US Dodd–Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act…..which prohibits securities trading based on non-public information misappropriated from a government source…..which is informally known as the “Eddie Murphy Rule”…..as the term relates to the plot in the 1984 film Trading Places where illegally acquired market information was doctored and used (albeit not illegally in 1984) to short sell frozen orange juice concentrate.
Talk Shows & Comedy – 2020 – The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon – With Guest Eddie Murphy – Confirms Rumors and Stories About Prince, Ghostbusters and More
Comedy & Talk Shows – 2023 – Jimmy Kimmel Live Special – With Guest Eddie Murphy – On Getting Snowed in at Rick James’ House + Michael Jackson Impersonation + Movie Clip from “You People”
Eddie Murphy’s Filmography consists of 48 Hrs. in 1982…..Trading Places in 1983…..Beverly Hills Cop in 1984…..The Golden Child in 1986…..Beverly Hills Cop II in 1987…..Eddie Murphy: Raw in 1987…..Coming to America in 1988….. Harlem Nights in 1989…..Another 48 Hrs. in 1990…..Boomerang in 1992….. Beverly Hills Cop III in 1994…..Vampire in Brooklyn in 1995…..The Nutty Professor in 1996…..Mulan in 1998…..Dr. Dolittle in 1998…..Bowfinger in 1999…..Nutty Professor II: The Klumps in 2000…..Shrek in 2001…..Dr. Dolittle 2 in 2001…..The Adventures of Pluto Nash in 2002…..Daddy Day Care in 2003…..The Haunted Mansion in 2003…..Shrek 2 in 2004…..Dreamgirls in 2006…..Norbit in 2007…..Shrek the Third in 2007…..Meet Dave in 2008….. Imagine That in 2009…..Shrek Forever After in 2010…..Tower Heist in 2011….. A Thousand Words in 2012…..Mr. Church in 2016…..Dolemite Is My Name in 2019…..Coming 2 America in 2021…..and You People in 2023.
Movie & Comedy – Official Trailer – 1986 – For the Movie “The Golden Child” – Starring Eddie Murphy + Charles Dance + Charlotte Lewis + Victor Wong + Yara Shahidi
Movie & Comedy – Official Trailer – 2009 – For the Movie “Imagine That” – Starring Eddie Murphy + Thomas Haden Church + Yara Shahidi + Marin Hinkle + Martin Sheen
Movie & Comedy – Official Trailer – 2012 – For the Movie “A Thousand Words” – Starring Eddie Murphy + Kerry Washington + Clark Duke + Cliff Curtis
Murphy has received numerous accolades including an Emmy Award, a Grammy Award, a Golden Globe Award and a Screen Actors Guild Award. He earned a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor his role in Dreamgirls in 2006…..when he lost to Alan Arkin for his performance in Little Miss Sunshine in 2006. For Murphy’s role as Donkey in Shrek in 2001 …..when he won the Annie Award for Outstanding Achievement for Voice Acting in a Feature Production and was nominated for the BAFTA Award for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for the latter…..which to date is the only voice-over performance to ever be nominated in BAFTA’s history.
Comedy & Awards Shows – 2015 – The Mark Twain Prize For American Humor Presentation By Arsenio Hall To Eddie Murphy – Full Show
He has also received numerous honorary accolades including the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2015, the Critics’ Choice Award for Lifetime Achievement in 2019 and the Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2023.
Comedy & Awards Shows – 2023 – The Golden Globe Awards on NBC – As Eddie Murphy Accepts the Cecil B. DeMille Award
Posting this special tribute to the life and legend of Eddie Murphy has been an absolute joy for me…..cuz the truth be known, I was an integral part of these times in the entertainment business…..simply by video taping 2300 hours of sports, comedy and music during a significant part of Eddie Murphy’s career from 1975 to 1991…..as I said in the opening paragraph to this post. It has been like re-living 17 really wonderful years. Although our ImaSportsPhile video library has literally 20+ hrs. (combined) of Eddie Murphy content…..and albeit, Eddie was instrumental in why SNL @ MSG remained insanely popular from 1982 until late in 1989…..the fact remains that I have never had him on my own top 6 all time “stand up comedians” list…..which consisted of Richard Pryor, George Carlin, Red Skelton, Rodney Dangerfield, Redd Fox and Jerry Seinfeld…..with Eddie Murphy at # 7, in that order. However, after reviewing all the videos in this post herewith, I have discovered a great deal more about the incredible comedic talent of Eddie Murphy…..while having gained a broader perspective of how exceptional his stand up prowess truly was….. plus, I became aware of his singing and musical talents over multiple genres of music…..and then when you add into the equation the canvas of his life’s acting and movie making talents as a writer, producer and director…..that is when I realized that my opinion of him had risen way above my expectations prior to presenting this post. Eddie, in my book is not only super funny…..but also an actor with the greatest range of character and roles of dang near anyone I can remember…..I mean, who else could play all of those roles in the Nutty Professor?…..which leads me to think of him now as the best entertainer of all time. And that signature laugh of his just disarms any thought you may have had…..and brings you back to the humorous side of life. That’s a comedian…..and Eddie Murphy is phenomenal…..for he doesn’t have to rehearse to tell jokes…..cuz he’s a pure natural for comedy, like Mozart was to music…..while being so confident in his abilities…..as he delivered with timing so perfect from the beginning….. while his speech cadence is dead on with his physical movement being understated…..when totally polished and professional…..and wickedly funny. He owns that stage. He’s in command. Poised. And handsome, too. The total package…..whose comedy still holds up today nearly 50 years since his start. There is something about his comedy….even though you know its from a bygone era it still hits like its fresh today…..which is the mark of an absolute legend. Stand-up usually ages so poorly, but Eddie Murphy is still hilarious today in 2023. It’s also amazing how successful he was on SNL after following a legendary cast of Not Ready For Prime Time Players…..for he singlehandedly saved SNL between 1982 – 1985. He is such a special talent, no doubt about it…..who simply was born funny. Sadly, lots of people today don’t remember how groundbreaking his comedy was at the time…..albeit I am so glad that I was able to be an integral part of his era. He was not intimidated whatsoever…..as his confidence still shows through today, as it has since his 1st appearance on stage or before any camera…..for he is one of the funniest human beings to ever walk the earth. One of a kind and wildly talented. That’s Eddie Murphy…..who will forever be known as a classic comedian…..exceptional actor…..true gentleman…..and unrivaled performer. A true gentleman who has maintained a family friendly persona and did great children’s movies. The best. Life needs more Eddie Murphy. Thank you Eddie for entertaining me all these years…..and most of all for making me laugh for the past 45 years of my life!!!!
Comedy & Talk Shows – 1982 – The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson – With Guest Eddie Murphy – In His 1st Appearance On Late Night TV
Comedy – Netflix Is A Joke Interview – 2019 – A Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee Production Special – “Jerry Seinfeld + Eddie Murphy Debate The Funniest Comedian Of All Time”
