Biographies: Eddie Murphy - Actor

Biographies

 [1 Content]

Edward Regan Murphy was born in Brooklyn, NY on April 3, 1961. He is an American actor, film director, producer, and comedian. From a very young age, he found he had the talent to impersonate voices of others, and frequently wrote comedy skits for the entertainment of his friends and occasionally performed at night clubs. His career officially began when Murphy learned that the producers of Saturday Night Live were seeking a black cast member for the 1980-81 season. He auditioned for the part six times, but only earned a place as an extra on the show. One fateful night when producers realized they had four minutes of airtime remaining and no material, they pushed Murphy before the camera, and told him to do his stand-up routine. His improvised performance was called "masterful" by Rolling Stone, and Murphy became one of only two cast members asked back for the next season. He was a regular cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1980 to 1984, and continued as a stand-up comedian. He was ranked #10 on Comedy Central's list of the 100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time. During that same period, he launched his film career starting with the film '48 hours' opposite Nick Nolte. Peter Sellers was one of Murphy's idols as a kid growing up, and it was he who served as the inspiration behind playing multiple parts in the same movie. Murphy has played multiple roles in Coming to America, Wes Craven's Vampire In Brooklyn, the Nutty Professor films, Bowfinger, and 2007's Norbit. He has received Golden Globe Award nominations for his performances in 48 Hrs, Beverly Hills Cop, Trading Places, and The Nutty Professor. In 2007, he won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of soul singer James Early in Dream Girls, and received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the same role.