Eddie Murphy, one of the most iconic comedians and actors in entertainment history, is marking a monumental milestone — 50 years in show business. To commemorate the occasion, Murphy is opening up like never before in the Netflix documentary Being Eddie, which premieres on November 12.
Directed by Angus Wall, the film takes audiences on a journey through Murphy’s life — from his early stand-up beginnings to becoming a teenage sensation on Saturday Night Live and later an A-list movie star through timeless classics such as Beverly Hills Cop, The Nutty Professor, and Shrek. The documentary also includes appearances from Jamie Foxx, Jerry Seinfeld, Dave Chappelle, Tracee Ellis Ross, and Chris Rock, offering rare insights into Murphy’s five-decade-long career and influence.
Eddie Murphy’s Return to the Spotlight
In a recent interview, Murphy shared that Being Eddie wasn’t originally planned as a career retrospective. “It started as a documentary about me returning to stand-up,” he explained. “I had taken a long break from movies around 2011, and after Dolemite Is My Name and returning to SNL, we thought it’d be interesting to show the behind-the-scenes of putting together a stand-up show.”
However, the pandemic changed those plans. “Then COVID hit, and everything shut down,” he said. “Afterwards, I wasn’t sure I wanted to do stand-up because I was paranoid about the virus.”
The project evolved over the next five to six years and now coincides perfectly with his 50th year in entertainment. “It’s funny how things align. Now, it’s this big reflection of my life and career,” Murphy shared. “If I ever return to stand-up, it’ll be because I’m having fun. That’s always been the secret — if it feels good, I’ll do it.”
Eddie on Comedy, Cancel Culture, and Creative Freedom
In recent years, comedy has faced scrutiny under what many call “cancel culture.” But Murphy isn’t concerned about censorship. “I can’t think of any comedian who actually got canceled because of a joke,” he said. “That was just a moment where people were saying comics had to be careful — but if you go to comedy clubs now, comedians are saying whatever they want.”
Murphy believes that the new generation of stand-ups has rejected the idea of self-censorship. “This generation’s like, ‘Forget that cancel culture stuff.’ If I ever go back to stand-up, I’ll say and do exactly what I want,” he stated confidently.
Making Peace with the Past
Murphy also addressed some of his past creative feuds, including the long-rumored tension with Coming to America director John Landis. “That heat we had 35, 40 years ago is ancient history,” Murphy laughed. “I love John — he directed Trading Places and Coming to America, two of my best movies. We even worked together again on Beverly Hills Cop III. The movie wasn’t great, but we were friends again.”
The documentary also includes moments of reconciliation, showcasing Murphy’s return to Saturday Night Live in 2019 — a full-circle moment for one of the show’s most famous alumni.
On the Elusive Oscar
Despite earning Golden Globes, Emmys, and countless accolades, Murphy has yet to win an Oscar — a fact that doesn’t seem to bother him much. “I never felt like, ‘They don’t take me seriously because I’m a comedian,’” he said. “There are things I’ve done that nobody else could have done. Nobody could have played The Nutty Professor like I did. Just like nobody but Jim Carrey could have done The Grinch.”
Murphy’s perspective on awards is refreshingly lighthearted. “If I never win an Oscar, I know they’ll give me an honorary one when I’m 90,” he joked. “And if they wait that long, I’m wearing a sky-blue tuxedo — and I might just urinate on stage while giving my speech!”
It’s a classic Eddie Murphy line — humor mixed with a touch of defiance, proving that he’s never taken Hollywood politics too seriously.
Looking Ahead: ‘Shrek 5’ and Beyond
One of the biggest reveals from Murphy’s recent interviews is his return as Donkey in Shrek 5. The new installment reportedly includes Zendaya joining the voice cast, and Murphy couldn’t be more thrilled.
“I’d do Shrek forever,” he said. “Donkey is one of my favorite characters. Every time I record for him, I come in too hot — full of energy. But those sessions are exhausting! You walk out with a headache because it’s so high-energy. Still, it’s worth it because people love it.”
Murphy also teased that a Donkey spin-off could be in development. “I’m totally into it,” he added. “It’s one of those characters that never gets old.”
Reinventing the Pink Panther
Murphy is also stepping into another beloved franchise — The Pink Panther. When asked about taking over the iconic Inspector Clouseau role, he expressed admiration for Peter Sellers, the original star of the series.
“I associate Pink Panther with Peter Sellers,” Murphy said. “Other actors have done it too, but I want to put my spin on it. For me, it’s exciting because no Black actor has ever played Inspector Clouseau. It feels like a Black James Bond moment.”
Murphy shared that part of his motivation for certain roles has been breaking new ground. “There were a few movies I did because no Black actor had done something like that — like Dr. Dolittle. Pink Panther feels like another chance to explore that space.”
Eddie Murphy’s Legacy: A Career Unlike Any Other
Reflecting on his extraordinary journey, Murphy acknowledged how rare longevity like his is in Hollywood. “Fifty years in show business — that’s not something many people can say,” he said. “There are things I’ve done that nobody else could do. I’ve been blessed with an incredible career.”
Whether it’s his early stand-up brilliance, his groundbreaking roles in Beverly Hills Cop and Coming to America, or his animated legacy in Shrek, Murphy remains one of the few entertainers whose work spans generations.
And with Being Eddie, fans will finally get a closer look at the man behind the laughter — unfiltered, self-aware, and still as funny as ever.