by Tim Gordon
For more than four decades, Eddie Murphy has set the standard, raised the bar, and continually surpassed it, crafting a legacy of style, grace, and razor-sharp humor that cements him as the funniest man of his generation.
For a kid who grew up watching Richard Pryor, Murphy was THE comedian of my generation. His emergence on Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s was brash, bold, and hilarious, and the show instantly became “must-watch television,” just to see what he would do next.
Murphy burst onto the scene at just 19 years old, a fully formed comedic force when he joined SNL at a time when the show’s future was uncertain. With key original cast members gone and whispers of cancellation swirling, Murphy’s fearless humor and unforgettable characters (Buckwheat, Gumby, Mr. Robinson) didn’t just revitalize SNL; they saved it. He remains the only cast member to have hosted the show while still in the cast. In 2015, Rolling Stone ranked him No. 2 among all SNL performers, writing: “Eddie Murphy is the only reason SNL survived the five-year wilderness without Lorne Michaels.”
Murphy’s leap to film was just as transformative. His first three movies were 48 Hrs. (1982), Trading Places (1983), and Beverly Hills Cop (1984) didn’t just make him a star; they created the template for the action-buddy comedy genre. Beverly Hills Cop became a global sensation, grossing $320 million worldwide ($730 million adjusted) and standing as one of the highest-grossing comedies ever.
At the same time, Murphy redefined stand-up comedy. His 1983 special, Delirious, filmed in Washington, D.C., became a cultural milestone. The follow-up, Eddie Murphy: Raw (1987), wasn’t just a comedy special; it became the highest-grossing stand-up film of all time.
Throughout the late ’80s and ’90s, Murphy showed remarkable range. He starred in Coming to America (1988), Harlem Nights (1989), Boomerang (1992), and The Nutty Professor (1996), where he famously played multiple characters, a nod to his idol, Peter Sellers. Family hits like Dr. Dolittle and his voice work as Mushu in Mulan and Donkey in the Shrek franchise cemented his reach across generations.
After a lull in the 2000s, Murphy roared back with Dreamgirls (2006), winning a Golden Globe and earning an Oscar nomination, followed by a renaissance that included Dolemite Is My Name (2019), Coming 2 America (2021), and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F (2024).
Last year, I had the rare opportunity to sit down for a brief interview with the legend about reviving Beverly Hills Cop four decades later. Murphy was sharp, engaged, and hilarious as he shared stories about the franchise’s beginnings and early fan reactions. That conversation only reinforced what has long been true: Murphy remains the gold standard, idolized by comedians like Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Kevin Hart, and Tracy Morgan.
In the recent documentary Number One on the Call Sheet, Murphy reflected on how Hollywood didn’t quite know how to handle his arrival; there was simply no reference point for someone like him. And yet, rather than rest on his legacy, Murphy keeps pushing forward. His latest project, The Pickup, debuts in August, with more on the way: a Donkey spin-off from Shrek, a turn as Inspector Clouseau in a new Pink Panther film, and a transformative role portraying funk legend George Clinton in an upcoming biopic.
In 2020, Murphy earned his first Primetime Emmy Award for returning to host SNL, a full-circle moment decades in the making. His films have grossed over $6.7 billion worldwide, making him one of the highest-grossing actors of all time.
From the fearless teen who saved SNL to the global superstar who redefined comedy, action, and family films, Eddie Murphy isn’t just an icon; he’s an institution.
The magnificence of Murphy continues, and we STILL can’t wait for him to make us laugh again.