Eddie Murphy: A Legendary Career in Comedy and Film

By Brook Joyner, CNN

Eddie Murphy was honored with this year’s Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 80th annual Golden Globes.

The actor, writer, director, singer, and comedian commenced his career at “Saturday Night Live” in 1980 and remained a regular cast member until 1984.

Furthermore, Murphy starred in iconic films such as “48 Hrs.,” “Trading Places,” “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Coming to America,” “The Nutty Professor,” and “Shrek.” Throughout his career, he has received six Golden Globe nominations, winning for his supporting role in 2006’s “Dreamgirls.”

In 1982, Murphy made his feature film debut in “48 Hrs.” where he starred alongside Nick Nolte and Annette O’Toole. This film demonstrated his ability to blend humor with action, setting the tone for his future projects.

Moreover, Murphy played guitar in one of his trademark leather jumpsuits in 1983. His musical talents were evident with Billboard Hot 100 singles such as “Party All the Time” in 1985 and “Put Your Mouth on Me” in 1989.

Stand-Up Comedy Breakthrough

Consequently, Murphy started to gain recognition on the comedy circuit during the early 1980s, inspired by Richard Pryor’s unique style. His film “Eddie Murphy Raw,” recorded at Madison Square Garden in 1987, became the top-grossing stand-up comedy film, earning over $50 million.

Life and Personal Achievements

In 1993, Murphy married Nicole Mitchell, with whom he had five children. The couple eventually separated in 2006.

Moreover, Murphy’s significant contributions to entertainment were recognized when he was awarded the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor at the Kennedy Center in 2015.

Recent Projects

In recent years, Murphy portrayed iconic characters in films such as “Dolemite Is My Name” in 2019 and reprised his role in the sequel to “Coming to America” in 2021. Furthermore, he made a notable return to “Saturday Night Live” after 35 years in 2019, showcasing his enduring legacy in comedy.