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Eddie Murphy -

Comedy actor Edward Regan Murphy was born on April 3, 1961, in Brooklyn, New York City.  

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Early influences -

His early comedy influences included Richard Pryor, Red Foxx, and Robin Williams. By 1982 he was a seasoned stand-up comic, and released 'Eddie Murphy,' his first album of recorded sketches. 'Delirious' followed in 1983. 

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Acting career -

It was also during the early 1980s that the comic achieved nationwide television exposure in the United States as a regular cast member on 'Saturday Night Live.' He's pictured here playing Gumby with other actors, including Martin Short (third from right).

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'Saturday Night Live' -

The prankster's funny characters included a grown-up version of Buckwheat, a take on the original Billie "Buckwheat" Thomas character from the 1930's 'Our Gang' short film series. 

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'Saturday Night Live' -

Murphy's appearances on 'SNL' are credited with helping to revitalize the show, and he regularly appeared opposite special guests, including Stevie Wonder (pictured). In a full-circle moment in 2020, Murphy won his first ever Emmy, for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series, for hosting 'SNL.'

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'48 Hrs.' (1982) -

Hollywood soon beckoned, and Murphy made his big screen debut in '48 Hrs.' The film costars Nick Nolte and was a huge critical and commercial hit. Murphy was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Acting Debut. 

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'Trading Places' (1983) -

The actor's next movie was an even bigger success, teaming up with fellow comic Dan Aykroyd in a comedy yarn that sees a commodities broker and a homeless street hustler become embroiled in an elaborate bet. 

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'Beverly Hills Cop' (1984) -

Murphy's portrayal as Alex Foley in 'Beverly Hills Cop' is regarded as his signature role. The film received critical acclaim upon its release and brought the actor international stardom. For this and 'Trading Places' Murphy was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actor – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy.  

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Eddie Murphy 1983 -

Few are aware that Eddie Murphy is also a recording artist. He's released five albums, with two going Platinum, and one achieving Gold.   

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Michael Jackson -

He's recorded with Michael Jackson, dueting with the late singer on 'Whatzupwitu,' the sixth track on Murphy's third studio album 'Love's Alright.' Jackson also appears in the video.

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'The Golden Child' (1986) -

'The Golden Child' marked a change of pace for Murphy, taking the actor off the street, so to speak, and into the realms of fantasy. It made money, but divided critics. 

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'Beverly Hills Cop II' (1987) -

The late Tony Scott directed this sequel, which sees Murphy reprise his role as the Detroit cop reassigned to the streets of Los Angeles. While a box-office success, the movie received mixed reviews from critics. 

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'Eddie Murphy Raw' -

Between film commitments, the comic still performed his now famous stand-up routine in cities across the US. Here he is onstage at Madison Square Garden in New York City during his 1987 'Raw Tour.' The performance was filmed and released as 'Eddie Murphy Raw' and remains the highest-grossing stand-up comedy concert film of all time at the box office. 

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'Coming to America' (1988) -

An illustrious cast that includes Arsenio Hall (who together with Murphy takes on multiple roles), James Earl Jones, John Amos, and an early appearance by Samuel L. Jackson, helped make this romantic comedy an all-around hit. A sequel, 'Coming to America 2,' was released in 2021.

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'Harlem Nights' (1989) -

Written, executive produced, and directed by Murphy, 'Harlem Nights' features Richard Pryor and Redd Fox (in his last film role) among the cast—two of the actor's all-time heroes. Also appearing in the film is Murphy's brother, Charlie Murphy, in his first movie. 

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'Boomerang' (1992) -

Robin Givens, Halle Berry, David Alan Grier, Martin Lawrence, Grace Jones, Eartha Kitt, and Chris Rock joined Murphy for this engaging rom-com classic, which the comedian wrote. 

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'Boomerang' (1992) -

Entertainment Weekly in a retrospective review called it an underrated classic and one of the best Eddie Murphy movies of the 1990s.

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'The Nutty Professor' (1996) -

Murphy's hilarious slapstick turn in this remake of the 1963 film of the same name, which starred Jerry Lewis, had audiences rolling in the aisles. The film won a deserved Academy Award for Best makeup while Murphy picked up yet another Golden Globe nomination.  

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'Dr. Dolittle' (1998) -

Another remake, 'Dr. Dolittle' again saw Murphy in fine comedic form, this time as the doctor who can talk to animals. Unlike the original 1967 film, this version was a box-office success. Ellen DeGeneres is among the voice cast.  

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'Bowfinger' (1999) -

Fellow comedian Steve Martin wrote and costars in this tale about a Hollywood filmmaker down on his luck and attempting to make a film with a star who doesn't realize he's actually in the movie. Murphy takes on two roles in a successful production that again is seen as an underrated Eddie Murphy classic. 

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Voice of Donkey in Shrek -

Eddie Murphy has voiced Donkey in all the Shrek movies. He's seen here with the cast of 'Shrek 2'—Antonio Banderas, Mike Myers, and Cameron Diaz—at Cannes in 2004. 

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'Dreamgirls' (2006) -

The highlight of Eddie Murphy's career to date is his role as James "Thunder" Early in this glittering musical drama.   

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'Dreamgirls' (2006) -

Inspired by the history of the Motown record label and one of its acts, the Supremes, the story follows the history and evolution of American R&B music during the 1960s and 1970s. 

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'Dreamgirls' cast -

The predominantly African-American cast includes Murphy, Jennifer Hudson (who won an Academy Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role), Beyoncé, and Jamie Foxx, all pictured here with director Bill Condon. 

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Golden Globe Award -

Murphy won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor, and was also nominated for the same category at the Academy Awards. 

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Screen Actors Guild Award -

In addition to his Golden Globe, the actor-comedian took home the Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role. 

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Charlie Murphy (1959–2017) -

The older brother of Eddie, Charlie Murphy was an actor in his own right, and appeared in one of Eddie's movies 'Harlem Nights.' He sadly died from leukemia in April 2017, aged 57.  

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'Dolemite Is My Name' (2019) -

Murphy continues to impress critics with his work. In this movie set during the Blaxploitation film era of the early 1970s, he plays real-life filmmaker Rudy Ray More, a role that garnered him a Golden Globe Best Actor nomination. He's pictured here on set with Chris Rock. The picture is dedicated to Murphy's late brother, Charlie.  

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Family life -

Eddie Murphy has been married once, to Nicole Mitchell, and had several relationships before meeting model Paige Butcher (pictured). He has 10 children by various partners, including two children with Butcher.

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Hollywood Walk of Fame -

Eddie Murphy was inducted to the Walk of Fame on June 26, 1996.  

See also: In the business of comedy, who has the most intense rivalries?

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