Eddie Murphy

Edward Regan "Eddie" Murphy (born April 3, 1961, Brooklyn, New York) is an American comedian and actor.

Post SNL career

In 1982, Murphy made his big screen debut in the cop-buddy thriller 48 Hrs. alongside Nick Nolte. The movie was perhaps most notable for a scene involving Murphy (on a bet with Nolte) terrorizing a redneck bar. 48 Hrs. proved to be a smash hit when it was released in the Christmas season of 1982. Murphy and Nolte's comedic and antagonistic chemistry, alongside Murphy's believable performance as a streetwise convict aiding a bitter, aging cop, won over critics and audiences. 48 Hrs. is considered by some to be the originator of the now tried and true mismatched, police, action-adventure formula (which was followed by the likes of Lethal Weapon, Bad Boys, and Rush Hour).

Related Topics:
1982 - 48 Hrs. - Nick Nolte - Redneck - 1982 - Lethal Weapon - Bad Boys - Rush Hour

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Nick Nolte was scheduled to host the December 11, 1982 Christmas episode of Saturday Night Live, but he became too ill to host, so Murphy took over as host. 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 decision to have Eddie Murphy host was reported to have upset the rest of the cast.

Related Topics:
December 11 - 1982

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The following year, Murphy co-starred with fellow SNL alummus Dan Aykroyd in Trading Places. Trading Places marked the first of Murphy's collaborations with director John Landis (who also directed Murphy in Coming to America and Beverly Hills Cop III) and proved to be an even greater box office success than 48 Hrs.

Related Topics:
Dan Aykroyd - Trading Places - John Landis - Coming to America - Beverly Hills Cop III

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In 1984, Murphy starred in the mega hit Beverly Hills Cop. Beverly Hils Cop, which was arguably Eddie Murphy's first full-fledged starring vehicle, was originally intended to star Sylvester Stallone. Beverly Hills Cop grossed over $200 million at the box office (thus, solidifying Murphy's status as a box office player) and for nearly 20 years, was the highest grossing R-rated movie of all-time (a record that has since been broken by The Matrix Reloaded).

Related Topics:
1984 - Beverly Hills Cop - Sylvester Stallone - R-rated - The Matrix Reloaded

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Also in 1984, Murphy appeared in Best Defense featuring Dudley Moore. Murphy, who was credited as a "Strategic Guest Star", was added to the film after an original version was complete and tested poorly with audiences. Best Defense was a major critical and financial disappointment but Murphy was for the most part left unscathed since the entire weight of the movie wasn't on his shoulders.

Related Topics:
Best Defense - Dudley Moore

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Eddie Murphy has also been rumored to be initially a part of hits such as Ghostbusters (featuring his Trading Places co-star Dan Aykroyd and fellow SNL alummus Bill Murray). The part that was originally written with Murphy in mind ultimately went to Ernie Hudson. Murphy was also rumored to had been offered a part in 1986's ' (a role that ultimately went to 7th Heaven star Catherine Hicks).

Related Topics:
Ghostbusters - Bill Murray - Ernie Hudson - 1986 - 7th Heaven - Catherine Hicks

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Also in 1986, Murphy starred in the supernatural comedy, The Golden Child. The Golden Child was originally intended to be a serious adventure picture starring Mel Gibson. After Gibson turned the role down, the project was offered to Murphy as it was subsequently rewritten as a partial comedy. Although The Golden Child still managed to be a hit (with memorable bits such as Murphy's "I want the knife!" routine), the movie wasn't as critically acclaimed as 48 Hrs., Trading Places, and Beverly Hills Cop. The Golden Child was perhaps a radical change of pace for Murphy considering the supernatural setting (which is ironic considering that he was offered a part in the more favorable Ghostbusters) as opposed to the more gritty and/or "street smart" settings of Murphy's previous efforts.

Related Topics:
1986 - Supernatural - The Golden Child - Mel Gibson

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A year later, Murphy reprised his role Axel Foley in the Tony Scott directed Beverly Hills Cop II. Although Beverly Hills Cop II wasn't as critically acclaimed as its 1984 predecessor (Beverly Hills Cop II was trashed by critics for its perceived misogyny, general mean-spirited tone, and overall ridiculous plot), it was still a box office smash, grossing over $150 million. Producers reportedly wanted to turn the Beverly Hills Cop franchise into a weekly television series. Murphy though declined the TV route but was willing to do a sequel instead.

Related Topics:
Tony Scott - Beverly Hills Cop II - Misogyny

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Eddie Murphy was one of the last movie actors to sign an exclusive contract with a studio. In this case, it was Paramount Pictures, which released all of his early films.

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