Eddie Murphy

Eddie Murphy began his comedy career on July 9, 1976, performing an impersonation of singer Al Green at a talent show at the Roosevelt Youth Center. He subsequently performed at local comedy clubs before gaining national recognition in the early 1980s as a cast member on Saturday Night Live. His characters on the show included Buckwheat, Mr. Robinson and Gumby. Murphy released the stand-up comedy special Delirious in 1983, filmed in Washington, D.C., followed by Eddie Murphy Raw (1987), filmed at Madison Square Garden's Felt Forum in New York City.

Murphy made his feature film debut in 48 Hrs. (1982), opposite Nick Nolte. He followed it with Trading Places (1983), co-starring Dan Aykroyd. In 1984, he appeared in Best Defense, alongside Dudley Moore, and starred in Beverly Hills Cop, his first solo leading role as detective Axel Foley. That year, he also won the Grammy Award for Best Comedy Recording for his album Eddie Murphy: Comedian. He returned as Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop II (1987), directed by Tony Scott.

In 1986, Murphy launched Eddie Murphy Television Enterprises through a deal with Paramount Television and starred in the supernatural comedy The Golden Child. He also appeared in the concert film Eddie Murphy Raw (1987). In 1988, he starred in the romantic comedy Coming to America, directed by John Landis. Murphy also appeared in Harlem Nights (1989), serving as director, producer and co-writer alongside his brother, Charlie Murphy. The film featured Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx in supporting roles.

Murphy reprised his role as Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop III (1994), directed by John Landis. His other film credits during the 1990s included Another 48 Hrs. (1990), Boomerang (1992), The Distinguished Gentleman (1992) and Vampire in Brooklyn (1995), directed by Wes Craven. He also appeared in Metro (1997), the comedy Holy Man (1998) and Bowfinger (1999), alongside Steve Martin.

In 1996, Murphy starred in The Nutty Professor, playing multiple characters. He returned for the sequel, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000). His other film credits from this period included Mulan (1998), in which he voiced Mushu, and Dr. Dolittle (1998), in which he played Dr. John Dolittle. He reprised his role in Dr. Dolittle 2 (2001). Murphy also starred in The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002), Showtime (2002), I Spy (2002), Daddy Day Care (2003) and The Haunted Mansion (2003).

Murphy voiced Donkey in the animated film Shrek (2001), a role he reprised in Shrek 2 (2004) and Shrek the Third (2007). He also voiced Donkey in Shrek Forever After (2010). In 2006, Murphy portrayed soul singer James "Thunder" Early in the film adaptation of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls. His performance earned him the Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor, a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Broadcast Film Critics Association Award. He was also nominated for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor. In 2007, he starred in Norbit.

In 2011, Murphy co-starred with Ben Stiller, Matthew Broderick and Casey Affleck in the comedy Tower Heist, directed by Brett Ratner. In 2016, he starred opposite Britt Robertson in the drama Mr. Church.

In October 2019, Murphy starred as comedian Rudy Ray Moore in Dolemite Is My Name, distributed by Netflix. His performance earned him a Golden Globe Award nomination. In December 2019, he returned to Saturday Night Live as host for the first time since 1984, reprising characters including Mr. Robinson, Gumby, Buckwheat and Velvet Jones. He won the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for hosting the episode.

Murphy reprised his role as Prince Akeem in Coming 2 America (2021), the sequel to Coming to America, alongside much of the original cast. In 2024, he returned as Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, directed by Mark Molloy and released on Netflix on July 3.

In September 2021, Murphy and his production company, Eddie Murphy Productions, signed a deal with Amazon Studios. In March 2022, it was announced that he would portray George Clinton in an untitled biographical film, with John Davis and Catherine Davis producing through Davis Entertainment. In June 2024, Murphy and producer Jerry Bruckheimer announced that a fifth Beverly Hills Cop film was in development. Murphy is also set to reprise his role as Donkey in Shrek 5, scheduled for release on June 30, 2027.

Murphy has also pursued a singing career, providing background vocals on songs released by the Bus Boys, including "(The Boys Are) Back in Town," which appeared in 48 Hrs. and his comedy special Eddie Murphy Delirious. His early recordings included "Boogie in Your Butt" and "Enough Is Enough," a parody of Barbra Streisand and Donna Summer's "No More Tears." Both songs appeared on his self-titled comedy album, Eddie Murphy (1982).

In 1985, Murphy released his debut studio album, How Could It Be, which featured the single "Party All the Time," produced by Rick James, and the title track, a duet with Crystal Blake. His second studio album, So Happy, was released in 1989 and included the single "Put Your Mouth on Me." In the early 1990s, he recorded the album Love's Alright and released the music video for "Whatzupwitu," featuring Michael Jackson. He also recorded the duet "I Was a King" with Shabba Ranks.

Murphy appeared in Michael Jackson's music video for "Remember the Time" in 1992, alongside Magic Johnson and Iman. He provided uncredited vocal work on Joe Piscopo's 1985 comedy single "The Honeymooners Rap." In Coming to America (1988), he performed "To Be Loved" in character and portrayed Randy Watson, a club singer, a role he reprised in Coming 2 America (2021).

Murphy performed several songs for the Shrek film franchise, including a version of the Monkees' "I'm a Believer" for Shrek (2001), "Livin' La Vida Loca" with Antonio Banderas for Shrek 2 (2004), and "Thank You (Falletin Me Be Mice Elf Again)" with Banderas for Shrek the Third (2007). In 2013, he released "Red Light," a reggae single featuring Snoop Dogg. He also worked on a studio album titled 9, which was not released.