by Tim Gordon
For more than 40 years, Eddie Murphy has been comedy’s ultimate shape-shifter, the streetwise cop, the animated sidekick, the romantic lead, and even entire dinner tables of characters (sometimes in one film).
Narrowing down his career to just five performances is nearly impossible, because along the way Murphy gave us iconic turns in Boomerang, where his smooth-talking Marcus Graham found himself hilariously outmatched in love, and Harlem Nights, his stylish directorial debut alongside legends Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx. Add in his sharp hustle as Billy Ray Valentine in Trading Places, the soulful heartbreak of James “Thunder” Early in Dreamgirls, and the brilliantly unhinged Kit/Jif Ramsey duo in Bowfinger, and the list of “almost Top Five” roles reads like a career highlight reel.
But when we talk about the Top Five Eddie Murphy performances, these are the ones that define his brilliance, the roles that changed comedy, cinema, and culture forever.
Honorable Mentions
Before we count down the definitive Top Five, it’s impossible to ignore the other performances that showcase Murphy’s range, risk-taking, and relentless creativity:
Billy Ray Valentine – Trading Places (1983)
Murphy’s quick-witted hustler goes from conning on the streets to running Wall Street, flipping class and race dynamics in a sharp satire. This role cemented him as a box office star and proved his comedy could carry major social bite.
Reggie Hammond – 48 Hrs. (1982)
Murphy’s film debut was a thunderclap. As the slick-talking convict partnered with Nick Nolte’s gruff cop, Murphy created the blueprint for the modern buddy-action comedy. The redneck bar scene alone made it clear — a superstar had arrived.
Marcus Graham – Boomerang (1992)
As the charming ad executive who finally meets his romantic match, Murphy flipped his persona from brash comic to suave leading man. Boomerang became a cultural landmark, celebrated for its fashion, its groundbreaking depiction of Black professionals, and its killer soundtrack.
Quick – Harlem Nights (1989)
Murphy’s ambitious directorial debut brought together Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx in a stylish, Prohibition-era crime comedy. As Quick, Murphy delivered sharp one-liners, slick action, and proved he could helm a film while holding his own with his comedic heroes.
Thomas Jefferson Johnson – The Distinguished Gentleman (1992)
In one of his most underrated performances, Murphy plays a fast-talking con man who scams his way into Congress — only to discover a conscience once he sees how the political game works. The film’s sharp satire still feels relevant, and Murphy makes the transformation believable and funny.
Rudy Ray Moore – Dolemite Is My Name (2019)
Murphy’s triumphant return to the big screen came in this affectionate biopic of underground icon Rudy Ray Moore. With swagger, vulnerability, and soul, Murphy gave one of the most emotionally resonant performances of his career — earning critical acclaim and reminding audiences why he’s still one of the greatest to ever do it.
Randy Watson & Others – Coming to America (1988)
Murphy’s outrageous side characters — from the hilariously awkward soul singer Randy Watson (“Sexual Chocolate!”) to barbershop old-timers — became comedy gold and showed his genius for creating entire worlds of characters within one film.
Kit Ramsey/Jif Ramsey – Bowfinger (1999)
Murphy’s dual role as the paranoid Hollywood star Kit Ramsey and his nerdy, mild-mannered twin Jif is one of his finest balancing acts — mixing satire, slapstick, and sweetness all at once.
The Top Five Eddie Murphy Performances
1️⃣ Axel Foley – Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
Murphy didn’t just star in Beverly Hills Cop, he owned it, redefining what an action-comedy could be. As Detroit detective Axel Foley, Murphy blended street smarts, charm, and relentless quick wit to create one of cinema’s most beloved characters. His improvised energy and razor-sharp timing made the film a global phenomenon, grossing over $320 million and setting the gold standard for the buddy-cop genre that countless films still chase.
2️⃣ Prince Akeem – Coming to America (1988)
In what many consider his sweetest and most universally adored role, Murphy became Prince Akeem of Zamunda, a noble royal in search of love, navigating Queens, New York, with wide-eyed wonder and humility. Beyond Akeem’s heart, Murphy’s tour-de-force of multiple characters (from barbershop banterers to the hilariously awful Randy Watson) showed his range, transforming Coming to America into a cultural cornerstone that remains as quotable and beloved decades later.
3️⃣ James “Thunder” Early – Dreamgirls (2006)
With a performance that blended soul legend charisma and personal tragedy, Murphy delivered one of the most dramatic turns of his career. As the explosive, heartbroken James “Thunder” Early, he brought down the house with his vocals and vulnerability. The role won Murphy a Golden Globe and earned him his first Academy Award nomination, proving once and for all that he could bring just as much weight to a tragic downfall as to a punchline.
4️⃣ Sherman Klump (and family) – The Nutty Professor (1996)
Murphy’s boldest character experiment turned into one of his greatest triumphs. As the gentle, insecure Professor Sherman Klump, he brought warmth and vulnerability, then turned around and played nearly his entire on-screen family in a dazzling display of prosthetics, voices, and physical comedy. The dinner table scenes are masterclasses in timing and transformation, and the role earned Murphy universal praise (and massive box office success).
5️⃣ Donkey – Shrek (2001)
With nothing but his voice, Murphy created one of the most beloved animated sidekicks of all time. Donkey is funny, loyal, and wildly endearing, his comedic energy balancing Shrek’s gruffness perfectly. Murphy’s voice work brought the character to life with so much charm and humor that it earned him a BAFTA nomination and cemented Donkey as a pop culture icon in his own right.
From Axel Foley’s laugh to Donkey’s chatter, these five performances define Eddie Murphy’s genius, but his legacy is built on dozens of characters who made us laugh, think, and feel. And the best part? He’s still not done.
