Editing Eddie Murphy (section)

==Career==
===1976–1980: Early standup career===
When Murphy was fifteen, he listened to [[Richard Pryor]]'s comedy album ''[[That Nigger's Crazy]]'', which inspired his decision to become a comedian.<ref name=WashingtonPost>{{cite news | title=Eddie Murphy hasn't told a joke onstage in 28 years. He's still the funniest guy around | newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] | date=October 13, 2015 | url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/sf/style/2015/10/13/eddie-murphy-hasnt-told-a-joke-onstage-in-28-years-hes-still-the-funniest-guy-around/ | access-date=August 6, 2022}}</ref> As a child, Murphy developed playing multiple characters in imitation of his acting hero, [[Peter Sellers]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Eddie Murphy: I'll retire from films at 50 |url=https://www.today.com/popculture/eddie-murphy-i-ll-retire-films-50-wbna25581773 |access-date=September 23, 2019 |work=[[Today (American TV program)|Today]]}}</ref> Other early influences included [[Bill Cosby]], [[Redd Foxx]], [[Robin Williams]],<ref name="actors"/> [[Muhammad Ali]], [[Bruce Lee]], and [[Charlie Chaplin]].<ref>{{cite news |last1=Kilkenny |first1=Katie |last2=Beresford |first2=Trilby |title=Eddie Murphy Talks Channeling Bruce Lee and Obama's Request for Him |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/eddie-murphy-reveals-favorite-comedians-obamas-request-him-1250278/ |access-date=February 22, 2022 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=October 26, 2019}}</ref>

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, doing an impersonation of singer [[Al Green]] as Green's song "[[Let's Stay Together (Al Green song)|Let's Stay Together]]" played. This 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.<ref name=WashingtonPost/>

===1980s: Superstar status and career peak===
[[File:Lionel Richie, Apollonia Kotero, and Eddie Murphy.jpg|thumb|left|220px|[[Lionel Richie]], [[Apollonia Kotero]] and Murphy at the ''[[Purple Rain (film)|Purple Rain]]'' premiere in 1984]]
In the early 1980s, Murphy first earned national attention as a cast member on ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' (''SNL'') and was credited with helping to revitalize the show.<ref>{{cite book |last=Shales |first=Tom |title=Live from New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ySMXLky50NkC |publisher=Back Bay |year=2003 |isbn=0-316-73565-5}}</ref> His characters included a grown-up version of the ''[[Little Rascals]]'' character [[Billie Thomas|Buckwheat]];<ref name=buckwheat>{{cite book |last=Shales |first=Tom |title=Live from New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ySMXLky50NkC |publisher=Back Bay |year=2003 |page=549 |isbn=0-316-73565-5}}</ref> a streetwise children's show host named Mr. Robinson (parodying [[Fred Rogers]], who found it amusing);<ref>{{cite book |last=Shales |first=Tom |title=Live from New York: An Uncensored History of Saturday Night Live |publisher=Back Bay |year=2003 |page=238 |isbn=0-316-73565-5}}</ref> and a morose, cynical [[Gumby]], whose trademark slogan became an ''SNL'' catchphrase: "I'm Gumby, dammit!"<ref name=buckwheat/> 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".<ref>{{Cite web|last=gumbycentral|date=July 31, 2017|title=In the book we're wr…|url=http://www.reddit.com/r/IAmA/comments/6qpq2u/we_are_joe_and_joan_clokey_and_we_manage_all/dkz3pne/|access-date=December 26, 2021|website=r/IAmA}}</ref> The Buckwheat character was retired in spectacular fashion—assassinated, on camera, in front of [[30 Rockefeller Plaza]]—at Murphy's request, after he grew tired of constant demands from fans to "Do Buckwheat! Do Buckwheat!"<ref name=SNL-Backstage>{{cite web |title=Saturday Night Live Backstage  |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1899280/ |publisher=[[IMDb]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title="Saturday Night Live" March 12, 1983, NBC  |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0694998/ |publisher=[[IMDb]] }}</ref> In ''[[Rolling Stone]]''{{'}}s February 2015 appraisal of all 141 ''SNL'' cast members to date, Murphy was ranked second (behind [[John Belushi]]). "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.<ref>''Rolling Stone'', issue 1229, February 26, 2015, p. 32.</ref> Murphy's early comedy was characterized by copious profanity and sketches lampooning a diverse group of people (including [[White Anglo-Saxon Protestant|WASPs]], African Americans, Italian Americans, overweight people, and gay people). He released two stand-up specials. ''[[Eddie Murphy Delirious|Delirious]]'' was filmed in 1983 in Washington, D.C.

[[File:EddieMurphy1988.jpg|thumb|upright|Murphy in 1988]]
Due to the popularity of ''Delirious'', his concert film, ''[[Eddie Murphy Raw]]'' (1987), received a wide theatrical release, grossing $50&nbsp;million; the movie was filmed in the [[The Theater at Madison Square Garden|Felt Forum]] at [[Madison Square Garden]] in New York City.<ref>{{cite web |title=Eddie Murphy Delirious |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0085474/ |publisher=[[IMDb]] }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Eddie Murphy Raw |url=https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0092948/ |publisher=[[IMDb]] }}</ref> In 1982, Murphy made his big-screen debut in the film ''[[48 Hrs.]]'' with [[Nick Nolte]].<ref name="actors"/> ''48 Hrs.'' 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. He became the only cast member to host while still a regular. Murphy opened the show with the phrase, "Live from New York, it's the Eddie Murphy Show!" The following year, Murphy starred in ''[[Trading Places]]'' with fellow ''SNL'' alumnus [[Dan Aykroyd]].<ref name="actors"/> The movie marked the first of Murphy's collaborations with director [[John Landis]], who also directed Murphy in ''[[Coming to America]]'' (1988) and ''[[Beverly Hills Cop III]]'' (1994). ''Trading Places'' was an even greater box office success than ''48 Hrs.''

Murphy appeared in ''[[Best Defense]]'' (1984), co-starring [[Dudley Moore]]. Credited as a "Strategic Guest Star", the former was added to the film after an original version was completed but tested poorly with audiences. ''Best Defense'' was both a major financial and critical disappointment. When he hosted ''SNL'', Murphy joined the chorus of those bashing ''Best Defense'', calling it "the worst movie in the history of everything". The same year, he won a [[Grammy Award for Best Comedy Recording]] for his album ''[[Eddie Murphy: Comedian]]'' (he has been nominated for a total of three Grammy Awards).<ref>[https://www.grammy.com/artists/eddie-murphy/13424 "Eddie Murphy"], Grammy Awards, accessed July 9, 2022</ref> Murphy starred in the successful action comedy film ''[[Beverly Hills Cop]]'' (1984).<ref name="actors"/> The film was Murphy's first solo leading role.<ref name="actors"/> ''Beverly Hills Cop'' grossed over $230&nbsp;million at the U.S. box office, 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; {{As of|2018|May|lc=on}}, it was 46th in the list of all-time U.S. box office grossers after adjusting for inflation (third-highest amongst "R"-rated films).<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/alltime/adjusted.htm |title=Domestic Grosses Adjusted for Ticket Price Inflation |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=May 30, 2018}}</ref> Murphy was offered a part in ''[[Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home]]'' (1986), a role that, after being heavily re-written from comic relief to love interest, ultimately went to [[Catherine Hicks]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Couch |first=Aaron |title='Star Trek IV' Writer on Eddie Murphy's Lost Role and Film's Rewrite Drama |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/star-trek-iv-voyage-home-writer-eddie-murphys-lost-role-950551/ |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=November 26, 2016 |access-date=February 22, 2022}}</ref>

By this time,<ref>According to the autobiography of the film's director and co-star, [[Leonard Nimoy]].</ref> 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.<ref>{{cite news|date=May 26, 1986|title=Murphy and Paramount|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/86-OCR/BC-1986-05-26-OCR-Page-0060.pdf|access-date=September 23, 2021}}</ref> In his next subsequent role, he starred in the supernatural comedy ''[[The Golden Child]]'' (1986).<ref name="actors"/> Although ''The Golden Child'' 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.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Golden Child – "Please!" |url=http://www.acmi.net.au/stories-and-ideas/the-golden-child-please/ |access-date=2024-03-02 |website=www.acmi.net.au |language=en}}</ref> Not long afterward, he reprised his role of Axel Foley in the [[Tony Scott]]-directed ''[[Beverly Hills Cop II]]'' (1987). It was a box-office success, grossing almost $300&nbsp;million worldwide.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl3712255489/ |title=Beverly Hills Cop II (1987) |website=Box Office Mojo |access-date=February 28, 2022}}</ref> By the end of the decade, Murphy was Hollywood's biggest box office star.<ref>{{cite journal |title=Hollywood's Hottest Hunks |journal=[[Ebony (magazine)|Ebony]] |date=November 1988 |volume=44 |issue=1 |pages=33–34 (33) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=atQDAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA33  |issn=0012-9011}}</ref><ref>{{cite journal |title=Eddie Murphy's Testimony Disputes Buchwald's Suit |journal=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]] |date=January 15, 1990 |volume=77 |issue=14 |pages=54–55 (54) |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=370DAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA54  |issn=0021-5996}}</ref> In 1988, Murphy and his Eddie Murphy Television Enterprises company had struck a deal with [[CBS]].<ref>{{cite news|date=June 27, 1988|title=CBS gets Murphy|work=[[Broadcasting & Cable|Broadcasting]]|url=https://worldradiohistory.com/hd2/IDX-Business/Magazines/Archive-BC-IDX/88-OCR/BC-1988-06-27-OCR-Page-0073.pdf|access-date=September 23, 2021}}</ref>

===1990–1998: Commercial decline and rebound===
From 1989 onward, critical praise for Murphy's films declined; it hit a low point with the critically panned ''[[Beverly Hills Cop III]]'' (1994),<ref>{{cite web|title=Beverly Hills Cop 3 (1994) |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/beverly_hills_cop_3/ |website=Rotten Tomatoes|date=January 29, 2002 }}</ref> a movie that Murphy denounced during an appearance on ''[[Inside the Actors Studio]]''.<ref name="actors"/> Box-office receipts also declined compared to his previous films, although he did find some box office success with ''[[Another 48 Hrs.]]'' (1990) and ''[[Boomerang (1992 film)|Boomerang]]'' (1992). On ''[[Harlem Nights]]'' (1989), Murphy worked as director, producer and star, as well as sharing co-writer duties with his brother, [[Charlie Murphy (actor)|Charlie Murphy]]. The film featured Murphy's comic idols [[Richard Pryor]] and [[Redd Foxx]] in supporting roles.<ref name="actors"/>

During this period, Murphy was criticized by filmmaker [[Spike Lee]] for not using his status to help Black actors break into film.<ref>{{cite journal|date=March 6, 1989|title=Spike Lee Challenges Black Show Biz Figures|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1r0DAAAAMBAJ&q=should%20use%20his%20clout%20rather%20than%20focus%20on%20who%20gets%20the%20best%20table%20at%20Spago&pg=RA1-PA57|journal=[[Jet (magazine)|Jet]]|pages=57}}</ref> However, as Murphy's prominence increased, his films (especially those he produced) often had a mainly Black cast (examples include ''[[Coming to America]]'', ''Harlem Nights'', ''Boomerang'', ''[[Vampire in Brooklyn]]'' and ''[[Life (1999 film)|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 (1996 film)|The Nutty Professor]]'', and [[Chris Rock]] in ''Beverly Hills Cop II''. Naming ''The Nutty Professor'' as his favorite comedy, Rock regards Murphy's performance in the film as being so great, he had "been robbed of an Oscar", adding that his various performances were "[[Peter Sellers]]-esque".<ref>{{cite news |title=The 5 Greatest Comedies Of All-Time, According To Chris Rock |url=https://www.cinemablend.com/new/5-Greatest-Comedies-All-Time-According-Chris-Rock-68419.html |access-date=September 23, 2019 |work=Cinemablend}}</ref>

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 (2002), nor did he ever attend cast reunions or anniversary specials until his appearance on the [[Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special|''SNL'' 40th anniversary special]]. Murphy told ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' he had 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;'' he was also angry  with [[Lorne Michaels]] and the production staff for allowing the joke in the first place. Murphy and Spade have since reconciled.<ref>{{cite news |first=Dave|last=Lifton|title=Why Eddie Murphy Stayed Away from 'Saturday Night Live' for So Long |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/eddie-murphy-saturday-night-live/ |date=October 2, 2019|access-date=April 11, 2021 |work=Ultimate Classic Rock}}</ref>

===1998–2018: Family-friendly films and ''Dreamgirls''===
[[File:Eddie Murphy Tribeca Shankbone 2010 NYC (2).jpg|thumb|right|Murphy at the premiere of ''[[Shrek Forever After]]'' at the [[Tribeca Film Festival]] in 2010]]
Murphy followed ''The Nutty Professor'' with a series of successful family-friendly movies like ''[[Mulan (1998 film)|Mulan]]'' (1998), ''Dr. Dolittle'' (also 1998) and [[Dr. Dolittle 2|its 2001 sequel]], the ''[[Shrek (franchise)|Shrek]]'' series, ''[[Daddy Day Care]]'' (2003), and ''[[The Haunted Mansion (2003 film)|The Haunted Mansion]]'' (also 2003), along with ''[[Nutty Professor II: The Klumps]]'' (2000). However, most of his movies meant for more adult audiences performed moderately; ''[[Metro (1997 film)|Metro]]'' (1997), ''[[I Spy (2002 film)|I Spy]]'' (2002), and ''[[Showtime (film)|Showtime]]'' (2002) all grossed less than $40&nbsp;million domestically, ''[[Holy Man]]'' (1998) performed poorly, grossing less than $13&nbsp;million, and ''[[The Adventures of Pluto Nash]]'' (2002) is on record as one of the biggest financial failures all time, grossing just $7&nbsp;million worldwide on a reported massive $110&nbsp;million budget. An exception to this run of poorly received adult-themed films was the [[Frank Oz]] comedy ''[[Bowfinger]]'' (1999), also starring [[Steve Martin]]. The film garnered generally positive critical reviews and grossed $98&nbsp;million at the box-office.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl2319877633/ |title=Bowfinger (1999) |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |date=June 19, 2007 |access-date=February 28, 2022}}</ref>

Murphy starred in the motion picture version of the [[Broadway musical]] ''[[Dreamgirls (film)|Dreamgirls]]'' (2006) as soul singer James "Thunder" Early. Murphy won a [[Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actor – Motion Picture|Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor]], as well as a [[Screen Actors Guild Award]] and a [[Broadcast Film Critics Association]] Award in that category. Several reviews for the film highlighted Murphy's performance while he received some pre-release [[Academy Awards]] buzz.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2006/12/03/movies/03modd.html|title=Eddie Murphy Inspires Oscar Buzz. Seriously.|last=Modderno |first=Craig|date=December 3, 2006|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]}}</ref> Murphy was nominated for the [[Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor]] on January 23, 2007, but lost to [[Alan Arkin]] for his performance in ''[[Little Miss Sunshine]]''—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]]'', released in early February 2007.<ref>{{cite news |title=Is this what a future Oscar winner looks like? |first1=Greg |last1=Braxton |first2=Robert W. |last2=Welkos |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-2007-feb-08-wk-norbit8-story.html|newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date= February 8, 2007|access-date=February 22, 2022}}</ref> Murphy notoriously exited the [[79th Academy Awards]] as soon as Arkin was announced the winner.<ref>{{cite news|last=Friedman|first=Roger|title=Eddie Murphy Loses Oscar, Bolts From Show|date=February 27, 2007|work=[[Fox News Channel]]|url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/eddie-murphy-loses-oscar-bolts-from-show|access-date=February 22, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|last=Masters|first=Kim|title=How Much Will Eddie Murphy's Oscar Exit Hurt His Career? (Analysis)|date=November 9, 2011|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/eddie-murphy-oscars-career-brett-ratner-259479/|access-date=February 22, 2022}}</ref> In 2007, Murphy was invited to join the [[Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=entertainment&id=5400194 |title=Film Academy Invites 115 New Members|publisher=abc7.com |date=June 19, 2007 |access-date=August 29, 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080221030429/http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=entertainment&id=5400194 |archive-date=February 21, 2008 }}</ref>

Murphy co-starred in ''[[Tower Heist]]'' (2011), directed by [[Brett Ratner]], alongside [[Ben Stiller]], [[Matthew Broderick]], and [[Casey Affleck]]. Murphy played a thief who joins a group of hardworking men who find out they have fallen victim to a wealthy businessman's [[Ponzi scheme]], and conspire to rob his high-rise residence.<ref name="actors"/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2010/11/16/tower-heist-continues-filming-at-trump-international-hotel-tower |title='Tower Heist' continues filming at Trump International Hotel & Tower |website=On Location Vacations |date=November 16, 2010 |access-date=March 8, 2015 |archive-date=August 16, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110816042714/http://www.onlocationvacations.com/2010/11/16/tower-heist-continues-filming-at-trump-international-hotel-tower/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> It was reported in 2011 that Murphy would host the [[84th Academy Awards]] in 2012.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Barnes|first1=Henry|title=Eddie Murphy confirmed as Oscars 2012 host|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2011/sep/07/eddie-murphy-confirmed-oscars-host|work=[[The Guardian]]|access-date=October 13, 2017|date=September 7, 2011}}</ref> However, he dropped out of his hosting duties on November 9, 2011, in the wake of the [[Brett Ratner#84th Academy Awards|Brett Ratner scandal]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Eddie Murphy drops out as Oscars host|url=http://www.cnn.com/2011/11/09/showbiz/oscars-murphy/index.html|work=[[CNN]]|date=November 9, 2011|access-date=October 13, 2017}}</ref> On March 8, 2014, it was announced that Murphy would team up with ''[[Boomerang (1992 film)|Boomerang]]'' co-star [[Halle Berry]] in a new film titled ''Miles and Me''. The film was also set to star [[Laurence Fishburne]] and was set to begin pre-production in 2014 from [[Paramount Pictures]]. No other word was released about the film or who else was attached.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://humormillmag.com/eddie-murphy-and-halle-berry-together-again-in-what-new-project/|title=Eddie Murphy And Halle Berry Together Again in What New Project?|date=March 8, 2014|publisher=The Humor Mill|access-date=March 14, 2014|archive-date=March 14, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140314234438/http://humormillmag.com/eddie-murphy-and-halle-berry-together-again-in-what-new-project/|url-status=dead}}</ref> On March 15, 2015, it was announced that Murphy would play comedian [[Richard Pryor]]'s father, LeRoy Pryor, in the upcoming biopic directed by [[Lee Daniels]] with [[Mike Epps]] playing Pryor; as of 2019, the project remains in [[development hell]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/movies/eddie-murphy-play-richard-pryor-dad-biopic-report-article-1.2149924|title=Eddie Murphy to play Richard Pryor's dad in biopic|date=March 15, 2015|work=[[New York Daily News]]}}</ref>

In February 2015, Murphy attended the ''[[Saturday Night Live 40th Anniversary Special]]'' where [[Chris Rock]] introduced him in a special tribute dedicated to him.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/eddie-murphy-turned-down-bill-cosby-impression-on-snl-anniversary-190305/|title= Eddie Murphy Turned Down Bill Cosby Impression on 'SNL' Anniversary|magazine= Rolling Stone|date= February 19, 2015|first=Daniel|last=Kreps|access-date=April 5, 2020}}</ref> Murphy was greeted with an enthusiastic standing ovation from the crowd of comedians and stars, however he received criticism for his brief appearance, declining to tell any jokes, and for not reprising his iconic ''SNL'' characters.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/snl-40th-anniversary-eddie-murphys-773778/|title= 'SNL' 40th Anniversary: Eddie Murphy's Brief Return Features Awkward Pause, No Character Reprisals|website= The Hollywood Reporter|date= February 15, 2015|access-date= February 22, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gq.com/story/eddie-murphy-snl-40-explanation|title= Eddie Murphy Explains Why He Didn't Make Any Jokes At SNL 40|website= GQ|date= October 14, 2015|access-date= April 5, 2020}}</ref> On October 15, 2015, Murphy was awarded the [[Mark Twain Prize for American Humor]] at the [[Kennedy Center]] in Washington, D.C.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://ew.com/article/2015/04/10/eddie-murphy-receive-kennedy-centers-mark-twain-prize-american-humor/|title= Eddie Murphy to receive Mark Twain Prize for American Humor|magazine= Entertainment Weekly|access-date= April 5, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kennedy-center.org/artists/m/mo-mz/eddie-murphy/|title= Eddie Murphy| website= Kennedy center.org|access-date= April 5, 2020}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2015/10/19/entertainment/eddie-murphy-mark-twain-prize/index.html|title= Eddie Murphy receives Mark Twain Prize for comedy and insight|website= CNN|date= October 19, 2015|access-date= April 5, 2020}}</ref> Murphy co-starred with actress [[Britt Robertson]] in the drama ''[[Mr. Church]]'' (2016) for which he received critical acclaim.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2014/12/eddie-murphy-britt-robertson-cook-movie-photo-1201309107/|title=Eddie Murphy Shows His Dramatic Side in 'Cook' – First Look Photo|last=Petski|first=Denise|date=December 4, 2014|website=Deadline Hollywood|access-date=December 31, 2015}}</ref>

===2019–present: Career resurgence===

In October 2019, Murphy produced and starred in ''[[Dolemite Is My Name]]'' as [[Rudy Ray Moore]]. The film was distributed on [[Netflix]] and received overwhelming critical acclaim. 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."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/dolemite_is_my_name|title= Dolemite is My Name|website= Rotten Tomatoes|date= October 4, 2019|access-date= April 5, 2020}}</ref> For his work, Murphy received a [[Golden Globe Awards|Golden Globe Award]] nomination for the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/dolemite-is-my-name|title=Dolemite Is My Name Reviews|website=[[Metacritic]]|access-date=October 13, 2019}}</ref>

In [[Saturday Night Live (season 45)|December 2019]], Murphy returned to ''[[Saturday Night Live]]'' to promote ''Dolemite''; this was his first time hosting since 1984. His hosting duties received overwhelming acclaim from audiences and critics alike, making it the highest watched episode since 2008 when [[Tina Fey]] played [[Sarah Palin]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/eddie-murphys-snl-hits-11-000735394.html|title= Eddie Murphy's SNL Hits an 11-Year Audience High With DVR Playback, Best Since Sarah Palin's 2008 Visit|website= Yahoo news|date= December 31, 2019|access-date= April 5, 2020}}</ref> Comedians [[Dave Chappelle]], [[Chris Rock]], [[Tracy Morgan]], and [[Kenan Thompson]] welcomed Murphy back in the opening monologue. Murphy went on to reprise his popular ''SNL'' characters such as [[Recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches introduced 1980–81|Mr. Robinson]], [[Gumby]], [[Recurring Saturday Night Live characters and sketches introduced 1981–82|Buckwheat]], and [[Velvet Jones]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv/tv-news/eddie-murphy-snl-buckwheat-velvet-jones-gumby-mr-robinson-930423/|title=Watch Eddie Murphy Reprise Classic Characters on 'SNL'|last=Kaplan|first=Ilana|date=December 22, 2019|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=December 26, 2019}}</ref> Murphy won his first ever [[Primetime Emmy Award]] for [[Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series|Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series]] for hosting the episode.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2020/09/eddie-murphy-first-emmy-win-snl-1234580195/|title=Eddie Murphy Scores First Primetime Emmy Win In Guest Actor Comedy Series Category For Hosting 'SNL'|date=September 20, 2020|access-date=September 20, 2020}}</ref> Murphy and most of the cast reprised their roles in the ''[[Coming to America]]'' sequel ''[[Coming 2 America|Coming{{nbsp}}2 America]]'', which was released in March 2021.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/global/amazon-coming-2-america-eddie-murphy-1234836599/ |title='Coming 2 America' Sets March 2021 Release Date on Amazon |website=Variety |first=Naman |last=Ramachandran |date=November 20, 2020 |access-date=November 20, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Nedid |first1=Alexsis |title=The first 'Coming 2 America' trailer brings the king back to Queens |date=December 22, 2020 |url=https://mashable.com/video/coming-2-america-trailer/ |publisher=Mashable |access-date=December 23, 2020}}</ref>

On December 6, 2013, it was announced that Murphy would star in the [[Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F|fourth film]] of the [[Beverly Hills Cop (film series)|''Beverly Hills Cop'' series]]. [[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.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2013/12/jerry-bruckheimer-paramount-producer-deal-648151/|title=Jerry Bruckheimer And Paramount Ink First-Look Deal; Brett Ratner Attached To Direct 'Beverly Hills Cop'|last=Busch|first=Anita|date=December 6, 2013|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=December 6, 2013}}</ref> 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&nbsp;million to the state of Michigan.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/movies/movie-news/eddie-murphy-will-be-back-in-detroit-for-beverly-hills-cop-4-110800/|title=Eddie Murphy Will Be Back in Detroit for 'Beverly Hills Cop 4'|last=Reed|first=Ryan|date=June 27, 2014|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|access-date=February 22, 2022}}</ref> On June 14, 2016, it was confirmed that Murphy was still set to reprise his role as [[Axel Foley]] in a fourth film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/beverly-hills-cop-4-directors-eddie-murphy-1201795498/|title=Eddie Murphy's 'Beverly Hills Cop 4' Finds Directors|last=McNary|first=Dave|date=June 14, 2016|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=June 16, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/06/beverly-hills-cop-sequel-adil-el-arbi-bilall-fallah-directing-eddie-murphy-jerry-bruckheimer-paramount-1201772591/|title='Beverly Hills Cop' Lands Adil El Arbi & Bilall Fallah To Direct Eddie Murphy|last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr.|date=June 14, 2016|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=June 16, 2016}}</ref> In December 2019, it was reported that the film had moved to [[Netflix]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2019/11/beverly-hills-cop-sequel-netflix-eddie-murphy-jerry-bruckheimer-paramount-license-deal-1202785458/|title=Netflix Licenses From Paramount Rights To Make 'Beverly Hills Cop' Sequel With Eddie Murphy & Jerry Bruckheimer|last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr.|date=November 14, 2019|website=Deadline|language=en|access-date=December 26, 2019}}</ref> where ''[[Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F]]'', which was ultimately directed by [[Mark Molloy]], was released on July 3, 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=D'Alessandro |first=Anthony |date=2024-02-01 |title=Netflix 2024 Movie Slate: Titles From Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz, Jennifer Lopez, Jerry Seinfeld & Woody Woodpecker; 'Beverly Hills Cop 4' Sets Release Date |url=https://deadline.com/2024/02/netflix-movie-dates-2024-1235810342/ |access-date=2024-04-07 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

In September 2021, Murphy and his Eddie Murphy Productions company signed a deal with [[Amazon MGM Studios|Amazon Studios]].<ref>{{cite web|last=Lang|first=Brent|date=September 22, 2021|title=Eddie Murphy Signs Three-Picture, First-Look Deal With Amazon Studios|url=https://variety.com/2021/film/news/eddie-murphy-deal-amazon-studios-1235071264/|access-date=September 23, 2021|website=Variety|language=en-US}}</ref> On March 31, 2022, it was announced that Murphy will portray [[George Clinton (funk musician)|George Clinton]] in an untitled biopic, with [[John Davis (producer)|John Davis]] and Catherine Davis producing through [[Davis Entertainment]].<ref>{{cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike Jr. |date=March 31, 2022 |title=Eddie Murphy To Play Godfather Of Funk George Clinton In Biopic |url=https://deadline.com/2022/03/eddie-murphy-playing-george-clinton-parliament-funkadelic-godfather-of-funk-1234991977/ |access-date=April 1, 2022 |website=Deadline |language=en-US}}</ref>

In June 2024, Murphy and Bruckheimer revealed that a fifth ''Beverly Hills Cop'' film was already in development.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://variety.com/2024/scene/columns/eddie-murphy-jerry-bruckheimer-beverly-hills-cop-5-1236044573/|title=Eddie Murphy and Jerry Bruckheimer Are Already Developing 'Beverly Hills Cop 5': 'We Have a Couple of Stories in Mind'|first=Marc|last=Malkin|publisher=Variety|date=June 21, 2024|accessdate=June 23, 2024}}</ref> Murphy will reprise his role as Donkey in ''[[Shrek 5]]'', set for release on July 1, 2026.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Couch |first1=Aaron |last2=McClintock |first2=Pamela |title=''Shrek 5'' Set for 2026 with Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy and Cameron Diaz Returning |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/shrek-5-set-for-2026-mike-myers-eddie-murphy-cameron-diaz-1235941271/ |website=The Hollywood Reporter |access-date=9 July 2024 |date=9 July 2024}}</ref>

===Singing career===
Murphy is also a singer, having frequently provided background vocals to songs released by [[the Bus Boys]]; 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 1980s. He had started singing earlier in his career, with the songs "Boogie in Your Butt" and "Enough Is Enough", the latter being a parody of [[Barbra Streisand]]'s and [[Donna Summer]]'s 1979 song, "[[No More Tears (Enough Is Enough)|No More Tears]]". Both songs appeared on [[Eddie Murphy (album)|his 1982 self-titled comedy album]]. "Party All the Time" was featured on Murphy's debut album ''[[How Could It Be]]'' (1985), which included a minor follow-up [[Contemporary R&B|R&B]] hit in the title track, a duet with vocalist Crystal Blake. This track was written by Rusty Hamilton and was produced by [[Stevie Wonder]]'s cousin Aquil Fudge after a brief falling out with Rick James. In 2004, [[VH-1]] and ''[[Blender (magazine)|Blender]]'' voted "Party All the Time" number seven among the "50 Worst Songs of All-Time". [[Sharam Tayebi|Sharam]] used a [[Sampling (music)|sample]] of the song for the UK No.{{nbsp}}8 hit "PATT (Party All the Time)" in 2006. "Put Your Mouth on Me" appeared on Murphy's 1989 follow-up album, ''[[So Happy]]''.

Murphy recorded the album ''[[Love's Alright]]'' in the early 1990s. 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". In 1992, Murphy appeared in the music video for Michael Jackson's "[[Remember the Time]]" alongside [[Magic Johnson]] and [[Iman Abdulmajid|Iman]]. Though uncredited, Murphy provided vocal work on ''SNL'' castmate [[Joe Piscopo]]'s 1985 comedy single, "The Honeymooners Rap".<ref>{{cite journal|last=Beck|first=Marilyn|date=Summer 1985|title=JOE PISCOPO ISN'T COUNTING ON 'DAYS' MOVIE|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/ct-xpm-1985-06-20-8502090556-story.html|journal=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> Piscopo impersonated [[Jackie Gleason]] on the single, while Murphy provided an imitation of [[Art Carney]]. In ''[[Coming to America]]'', he imitated [[Jackie Wilson]] when he sang "[[To Be Loved]]", but because the character he was playing had a thick accent, he had to sing it in character; he also performed in the same film as the character Randy Watson, a small time club singer, a role he reprised in the 2021 sequel ''[[Coming 2 America]]''.

Murphy performed several songs in the [[Shrek (film series)|''Shrek'' film franchise]]. In the first film, he performed a version of [[the Monkees]]' "[[I'm a Believer]]" in the film's final scene; in ''[[Shrek 2]]'', he performed [[Ricky Martin]]'s hit "[[Livin' La Vida Loca]]", along with co-star [[Antonio Banderas]]; Murphy performed "[[Thank You (Falletin Me Be Mice Elf Again)]]" for ''[[Shrek the Third]]'', once again with Banderas. In 2013, he released his first single in many years titled "Red Light", a reggae song featuring [[Snoop Dogg]]. He was also working on a new album titled ''9'', but it was never released.<ref>{{cite journal |url=http://www.vibe.com/article/new-music-eddie-murphy-feat-snoop-lion-%E2%80%98red-light%E2%80%99 |title=New Music: Eddie Murphy Feat. Snoop Lion 'Red Light' |journal=Vibe |date=September 4, 2013 |access-date=August 24, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150112060901/http://www.vibe.com/article/new-music-eddie-murphy-feat-snoop-lion-%E2%80%98red-light%E2%80%99 |archive-date=January 12, 2015 }}</ref>