Eddie Murphy Reflects on His Career and Personal Life in New Netflix Documentary

Eddie Murphy, at 64, has spent over four decades in the entertainment industry, yet he’s never been drawn to the glimmering side of Hollywood. With his new Netflix documentary, Being Eddie, set to release soon, Murphy shares candid thoughts about his path to stardom, his escape from the darker aspects of Hollywood, and his views on award shows.

He mentioned this uncomfortable feeling of being in a crowded room full of celebrities vying for awards. “That feeling is very unpleasant,” he said. “Everyone’s dressed, acting, fake… just being in a room full of celebrities is weird. I don’t like that.” It’s refreshing to hear such honesty from someone so well-known.

Murphy prefers quieter environments. “I’ve always liked being around the house,” he admitted, highlighting how he finds energy in calmness, contrasting with the electric atmosphere of live performances that many comedians thrive on. “Crowds take away my energy,” he added.

Throughout his illustrious career, Murphy has taken on a vast array of roles—from an elderly woman in The Nutty Professor to the whimsical donkey in Shrek. Through his work, he has played a vital role in reshaping stand-up comedy and paving the way for Black leading roles in Hollywood. Yet, astonishingly, he has never clinched an Oscar.

Murphy started as a stand-up comic at just 15 and soon made a name for himself on Saturday Night Live. By the late ’80s and early ’90s, he starred in blockbusters like Beverly Hills Cop and Coming to America. Despite this success, he remarked on how he’s always felt a long way from winning an Academy Award.

His documentary reveals a deeper mission: to highlight Black experiences on screen. Producer Reginald Hudlin noted Murphy’s ambition to create films that hadn’t existed before, like the Black romantic comedy. That kind of representation was groundbreaking, revealing aspects of Black life in ways that hadn’t been shown previously.

Reflecting on the Academy Awards, Murphy voiced his frustrations over the exclusion of Black talent. In his speech at the 67th Academy Awards, he famously criticized the Academy for its ongoing neglect. “When they came to me and said they wanted me to win Best Picture…my first reaction was, ‘No, I’m not going.’” He felt it was important to stand up for representation.

Interestingly, after voicing his concerns, he noticed a sudden absence from the Oscars’ spotlight, which led him to humorously suggest that his candid speaking might have impacted his chances. “I’ve done it all and never won an Oscar,” he said, laughing about the situation.

But for Murphy, success is measured differently. He emphasizes the importance of his legacy being his children. “If you put your child first, you will never make the wrong decision,” he reflected. His personal life, especially after marrying Paige Butcher in 2024 and raising his ten children, is what truly anchors him.

Now, as he navigates this phase in his career, he is looking to create more diverse films that represent his evolving self, leaving behind old habits. “It’s about making people laugh,” he concluded, reminding us all of the magic he brings to the screen and the stage.