Eddie Murphy Opens Up About the Dark Side of Hollywood
Eddie Murphy is shedding light on some of the harsher realities of Hollywood.
In the Netflix documentary *Being Eddie*, the 64-year-old actor and comedian shares his experiences, particularly about funding the funeral costs and headstones of friends who were also celebrities. Notably, he mentions musician Rick James, comedian Redd Foxx, and William Thomas Jr., famously known as Buckwheat from *The Little Rascals* films.
“When Red was out of the picture, I had to take care of his funeral. I had to do it for Rick too. Buckwheat needed a headstone because he didn’t have one,” Murphy reveals in the documentary. “I tend to handle these matters.”
He reflects on the struggles some of his colleagues face: “It’s surprising, isn’t it? You’d think these stars would at least have the means for a proper burial. Where’s the support from family? There are so many like that.”
Redd Foxx, for instance, is celebrated for his role as Fred Sanford in *Sanford and Son*. He passed away from a heart attack on October 11, 1991, at 68.
During his time working with Foxx in *Harlem Nights*, Murphy expressed his admiration: “Red was effortlessly funny. Collaborating with someone I looked up to was thrilling.”
Murphy collaborated with James on the hit single “Party All the Time,” but unfortunately, James passed away from heart failure in 2004. Thomas also died of a heart attack in 1980.
“I’ve covered a lot of funeral expenses, but I tend to avoid attending them,” Murphy admits. The only exceptions have been for his father, Charles Edward Murphy, and his stepfather, Vernon Lynch.
In discussing his own end-of-life plans, Murphy said, “If I step out of my home, I don’t want to be left without a funeral. It’s just not for me. I wish for cremation instead, with no services or memorials. Just let life continue without making a big deal out of it.”
He adds, “I really don’t mind what happens to my ashes. The whole ceremony feels like too much to bear.”
“You’re free to grieve,” he concludes, “but the ritual of a funeral, it feels overwhelming.”
