Eddie Murphy has certainly had his share of unique encounters with other celebrities during his time in the spotlight.
In the Netflix documentary “Being Eddie,” the 64-year-old actor recounted an unexpected proposition from Yul Brynner that has lingered in his memory. “It was my 21st birthday at Studio 54,” Murphy remembered. “Back then, while Brynner was married, he suggested, ‘How about we all head back to my apartment for a little party?’ I just thought, ‘No, I’m good!’ But looking back, I realized his wife was laughing. Did he really want me to, uh, hook up with her?”
He added humorously, “If I told that story, it would probably go something like, ‘Yeah, I went back to Yul Brynner’s place, had a little fun with his wife while he was watching, saying, ‘Etcetera, etcetera!’”
Brynner passed away in 1985 after battling lung cancer.
Leading up to the documentary’s debut, Murphy also shared his views on what he described as “fake” Hollywood, discussing why he tends to stay away from the Oscars. “I mean, that’s part of why I skip awards shows. You’re in this room full of famous faces trying to win trophies, and it all feels… off,” he admitted. “Everyone’s dressed up and acting. Just being around that many celebrities is bizarre for me. Not my scene.”
He continued, “I’ve always preferred the comforts of home. The stand-up crowd I know, they love being on stage—it truly energizes them. But for me, it’s the opposite.”
“At home, in a quieter space, I can recharge, whereas crowds just drain me,” he noted.
Over his extensive career, Murphy has tackled all sorts of roles—from an elderly woman in “The Nutty Professor” to a talkative donkey in “Shrek.” He’s helped reshape modern stand-up comedy and opened doors for Black lead actors in Hollywood, dedicating himself to showbiz.
Yet, remarkably, he still hasn’t won an Oscar.
Starting as a stand-up comedian at fifteen, Murphy gained fame on “Saturday Night Live” in the ’80s. He quickly transitioned to lead roles in films like “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Boomerang,” and “Coming to America.”
By the late ’80s and early ’90s, he had cemented his status as a megastar, becoming a significant figure in Hollywood.
“I aimed to be as funny as Richard Pryor,” he expressed in the documentary. “Wanted to be as cool as Elvis and as legendary as the Beatles.”
Film producer Reginald Hudlin remarked that Murphy was intent on exploring new narratives for Black audiences. “Eddie’s mission was clear: Black people haven’t seen films like that before. We need to tell those stories so others can too,” he said.
Hudlin highlighted the unique representation Murphy brought to the screen. “The extreme responses were because it showcased Black life in unprecedented ways.” He noted that obstacles, both past and present, have always been in the path for Black movie stars.
At the 67th Academy Awards in 1995, Murphy voiced his frustration about the Academy’s neglect of Black talent. He recalled, “When they asked me to win Best Picture, I was reluctant. I told my manager I wasn’t going because they often overlook Black people. He was baffled; after all, a Black man had won an Oscar.”
“I’m probably going to lose the Oscar for saying this, but here we go,” he quipped. “Maybe we get recognition every couple of decades. So, we’re not really in a rush.”
Murphy later speculated that his candid comments could be why he hasn’t secured an Oscar. “The next day, it felt like I had vanished. No mention of me, no recognition at the ceremony at all. I was there but, well, not really at all,” he chuckled.
“I’ve done so much, yet never won one. But, well, I guess I’m okay with it,” he mused. “I’m in a new phase of my career. There’s a lot more I want to explore that reflects where I am now in life, especially with my marriage and my family.”
Murphy is a father to ten children from various relationships and married Paige Butcher in 2024, with whom he has two kids. “My kids are my everything,” he revealed. “Before them, it was all about me. Now, it’s all about them.”
