Eddie Murphy Essay Example for Free

Eddie Murphy Essay While pondering the question of what I should write my paper on I was flipping through the channels on the television. As I scrolled through I stopped on the movie The Nutty Professor. The actor that I love and am impressed by in this movie is non other than Eddie Murphy. Mr. Murphy is a comedian and professional actor that is very well known and very well respected. With this paper I hope to tell about the life and the professional aspects of this amazing actor. Edward Regan Murphy was born April 3rd, 1961 in Brooklyn, New York. In his early years he grew up in the projects of Bushwick. His father, Charles, was a police officer in New York and was also an amateur comedian. His mother, Lillian, was a telephone operator and divorced Eddies father when he was three. Charles was not only Eddies fathers name, but his older brothers name as well. Charlie Murphy is two years older than Eddie, and is also a comedian. Murphy was not the brightest crayon in the box when it came to school, but he had excellent verbal skills. By age 15 he hosted a talent show at the Roosevelt Youth Center. He had stolen the show and became a fan favorite with his Al Green impersonation. Murphy developed a fever for a chance at show biz. He began to perform at local bars and clubs, and his grades started to slip dramatically. He was forced to repeat the 10th grade. Eddie got his head back on his shoulders and doubled down on his classes and eventually graduated a few months late. After graduation he enrolled himself in to Nassau Community College. He continued to do his shows at local clubs and venues until finally landing himself at the Comic Strip in New York City. At times he had called himself the disciple of the late Richard Pryor. Unlike all his comic idols, Eddie did not smoke or drink and had once said to Barbara Walters, I dont have to sniff cocaine to make me funny. (Biography 1) In 1980, Eddie tried out for the cast on the famous show Saturday Night Live. He tried out for the part six times and ended up on the show as an extra appearing in a few episodes. His break came when the producers realized they had four minutes of air time left and no material. Eddies stand up saved the show and was eventually brought back for the following season. In 1982, Murphy received a Grammy nomination for a live album of resh stand-up material called Eddie Murphy: Comedian. Also during 1982 at only 21-years-old Murphy starred along side Nick Nolte in the movie 48 Hours. This movie was a hit and grossed over $5 million in the first week it was released. In 1983, Paramount Pictures offered Murphy $25 million to take part in six pictures. Beverley Hills Cop was released in 1984. This was one of Murphys greatest performances of his career. The movie hit number 9 on the list of all time box office hits. Murphy was not only a comedian and an actor he was also a singer. He released his first album called How could it be? , in 1984. It was produced by the late Rick James who may be mostly known now because of Dave Chappelles famous line, Im Rick James Bitch. The single Party All the Time peaked at number two on the Billboard Hot 100. (Biography 2) A major film that boosted Murphys career was the romantic comedy Coming to America. This film was done in 1988. The film was a hit and grossed over $128 million in the US alone. This was the first film that demonstrated his comedic versatility by playing multiple characters within the film. This may have been the first film that Murphy had done this, but it for sure wouldnt be the last. In 1996, Murphy starred in a hit remake of the Jerry Lewis film The Nutty Professor. He earned a Golden Globe nomination and an Academy of Science Fiction, Fantasy Horror Films Award for his role in the film. (Wikipedia) In May of 1997, Murphy gained some unwanted publicity. He was discovered at 4:45 AM in Los Angeles will a known transsexual prostitute. A spokesman for the actor maintained Murphy was just being a good Samaritan by offering the transsexual a ride. Murphy was not arrested for anything, but he became the butt of many transvestite jokes. (CNN) Eddie pushed aside the scandal and continued making movies. In 1998, he played the voice of Mushu the lizard in the Disney hit Mulan. During this same year he also starred in the remake of Dr. Doolittle. The movie the Nutty Professor II: The Klumps was released in the summer of 2000. Murphy again showed his comic versatility by featuring as all six lead characters. In 2001, Murphy again had landed two hit movies Dr. Doolittle 2 and the voice of the donkey in the hit movie Shrek. Murphy played an overwhelmed babysitter in Daddy Day Care which premiered in 2003. He revived Donkey and played in Shrek 2 back in 2004. In 2006, Murphy signed on for what may have been his most demanding film in his career. Murphy did a screen adaptation of the Broadway musical Dreamgirls, featuring Jennifer Hudson. His performance as soul singer James Thunder Early earned him a Golden Globe award and an Academy Award nomination. (Biography 3) In January of 2008, Murphy announced his split with film producer Tracey Edmonds. The couple married in Bora Bora on New Years Day of that year in front of 25 family members and friends. Murphy and his new wife planned to renew their vows on American soil after they found out the celebration wasnt legally binding. The second ceremony never took place, and the couple officially separated. (People Magazine) Murphy continues to work not only as a comedian and an actor, but as a film director, producer and a singer. His most recent work was Shrek Forever After. He again played the donkey in this movie when it was released May 21, 2010. Murphy is a co-star in Tower Heist, Brett Ratners heist movie that will be released November 4, 2011. This movie is being filmed as we speak. Future plans are in the air for a Beverly Hills Cop 4 which will supposedly not be done by producer Jerry Bruckheimer. (Wikipedia) My favorite thing about Eddie Murphy is his ability to play multiple characters in his movies. He is extremely talented and gifted. He has the ability to impersonate anyone with practice. Eddie does this as a tribute to his idol, Peter Sellers, who played multiple roles in Dr. Strangelove. The first multi-character film Murphy played in was Coming to America. He played the role of four different characters which were Prince Akeem Joffer, Clarence, Randy Watson, and Saul. The next film that Murphy would play multiple characters in was Vampires in Brooklyn. This was a horror film that was done by Wes Craven in 1995. In addition to playing the main character, Murphy also plays an alcoholic preacher and a foul-mouthed Italian gangster. The film that Murphy is most famous for his multiple character role is The Nutty Professor. In this movie he played the title role in two incarnations, plus his father, brother, mother, and grandmother. The use of makeup was very crucial in all these movies. Eddie also did a great job in changing his personality. Without knowledge that he plays multiple characters in all these movies, you wouldnt be able to tell that Murphy plays multiple roles. (Wikipedia) Murphy is mostly known for his acting roles, but rarely gets recognized for movies that he produces. Besides his comic stand ups that he has produced he as also helped produce major films such as The Nutty Professor(1996), Life(1999), Nutty Professor II: The Klumps(2000), and Norbit(2007). Murphy also starred, directed, and was a writer for the 1989 film Harlem Nights. Throughout Murphys career he has had his ups and his downs just like most actors. His work today has idolized millions. The man is a legend and will continue you to be one. At age 49 he is one of the most successful stars in Hollywood. Eddie Murphy is my hero and I will continue to watch him as long as he is around. Whether its by his foul language in the movie Life or the donkeys voice in Shrek I will continue to laugh because of Eddie Murphy.