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Here's a look at the life of Oscar-nominated actor, singer, writer and comedian Eddie Murphy.
Birthdate: April 3, 1961
Place of birth: Brooklyn, New York
Birth name: Edward Regan Murphy
Father: Charles Murphy, police officer
Mother: Lillian Murphy, telephone operator
Marriage: Nicole Mitchell (March 18, 1993 – April 17, 2006, divorced)
Children: with Paige Butcher: Max and Izzy; with Melanie Brown (Mel B, aka Scary Spice): Angel; with Nicole Mitchell: Bella, Zola, Shayne, Miles and Bria; with Tamara Hood: Christian; with Paulette McNeely: Eric
Education: Attended Nassau Community College
Nominated for three Grammy Awards and won one.
Nominated for an Academy Award.
Nominated for five Primetime Emmy Awards and won one.
Murphy's childhood heroes include Richard Pryor, Elvis Presley and Jerry Lewis.
When Murphy was three years old, his parents separated. His father was murdered by a girlfriend five years later. Murphy was raised by his mother and stepfather, Vernon Lynch.
His talent for celebrity voices comes from watching and imitating cartoons as a child.
Demonstrating his comedic versatility, Murphy played multiple characters in “Coming to America,” “Bowfinger,” “Norbit,” “Vampire in Brooklyn,” “Meet Dave,” “The Adventures of Pluto Nash,” and the “Nutty Professor” films. .
Murphy's musical output includes two Billboard Hot 100 singles, “Party All the Time” and “Put Your Mouth on Me,” as well as a duet with Michael Jackson, “Whatzupwitu.”
November 22, 1980 – Murphy makes his first appearance on “Saturday Night Live.” He had auditioned six times before being hired as a featured actor to occasionally appear in skits. The comedian is later promoted to the main cast and portrays characters such as a petulant version of Gumby, Buckwheat, and Mister Robinson, a parody of Mister Rogers. He and Joe Piscopo are the only members of the 1980 ensemble who are not fired at the end of the season.
December 8, 1982 – Murphy's first film, “48 Hours.” in launch. The action comedy centers on a thief (Murphy) who helps a cop (Nick Nolte) track down a fugitive murderer.
1983 – HBO airs Murphy’s concert special, “Eddie Murphy – Delirious.”
June 8, 1983 – “Trading Places,” a comedy starring Murphy, Dan Aykroyd and Jamie Lee Curtis, debuts in theaters.
February 28, 1984 – Murphy's live album, “Eddie Murphy: Comedian,” wins a Grammy for Best Comedy Recording.
December 5, 1984 – “Beverly Hills Police” premieres. Sylvester Stallone had originally been slated to play the lead character, Axel Foley, but quit weeks before filming and Murphy replaced him.
December 18, 1987 – The comedy concert film, “Eddie Murphy Raw,” is released.
April 11, 1988 – Presenting the Best Picture award during the Oscar telecast, Murphy criticizes the Academy for failing to recognize the contributions of black artists throughout film history. He jokes that she'll probably never get an Oscar because of the comment.
November 17, 1989 – “Harlem Nights” is released, directed by Murphy. Two of Murphy's childhood idols, Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx, co-star in the 1930s piece about a wild New York nightspot.
June 28, 1996 – Murphy returns with the release of “The Nutty Professor,” a new cover of Jerry Lewis.
May 2, 1997 – The comedian is arrested after offering a ride to an alleged transgender prostitute. A spokesperson for Murphy says the star was simply trying to help someone who seemed lonely and worried.
January 10, 1999 – “The PJs,” an animated series co-created by Murphy and Larry Wilmore, debuts on Fox. The series is criticized for perpetuating black stereotypes. She wins three Primetime Emmy Awards, two for voice actress, Ja'Net DuBois, and one for achievement in animation. It is canceled after three seasons.
May 16, 2001 – “Shrek,” a computer-animated fairy tale about an ogre (Mike Myers) who befriends a hapless donkey (Murphy), opens to $42 million in its opening weekend.
May 19, 2004 – “Shrek 2” opens in theaters. The film grosses $441 million in ticket sales, making it the biggest box office hit of 2004.
December 15, 2006 – “Dreamgirls” is released in limited release. Critics praise Murphy for her dramatic portrayal of James “Thunder” Early, a fading star battling addiction.
September 6, 2011 – The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences announces that Murphy will host the Oscars. On November 9, Murphy announces that he will step down as host of the Oscars. He and director Brett Ratner were scheduled to collaborate on the show, but Ratner quit amid controversy over his use of an anti-gay slur. Billy Crystal is selected as Murphy's replacement.
February 15, 2015 – During a “Saturday Night Live” 40th anniversary special, Murphy makes a brief appearance. He refuses to participate in a sketch mocking Bill Cosby, according to a series of tweets from writer and former cast member Norm McDonald. Cosby expressed his gratitude through a spokesperson, telling NBC News: “I greatly appreciate Eddie and applaud his actions.”
October 18, 2015 – Murphy receives the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
September 16, 2016 – After a four-year hiatus from the big screen, “Mr. Church” begins with Murphy playing the title role.
December 21, 2019 – Murphy returns to “Saturday Night Live” after 35 years, bringing back many of his most popular characters. The episode is “Saturday Night Live’s” highest-rated show in more than two years.
September 20, 2020 – Murphy wins an Emmy for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series for hosting “Saturday Night Live” in December 2019.
March 5, 2021 – “Coming 2 America” debuts on Amazon.
January 10, 2023 – Receives the Cecil B. DeMille Lifetime Achievement Award at the 90th Annual Golden Globe Awards.
