Eddie Murphy has had a year to remember. In April 2026 he received the 51st AFI Life Achievement Award in Los Angeles, presented by Spike Lee, following the Netflix documentary Being Eddie in November 2025. Next up, he returns as Donkey in Shrek 5, now due in June 2027.
From a teenage stand-up in New York to one of the biggest box office stars of all time, here is the story of a comedy giant. Browse more tribute designs in our Movie Stars collection.
Eddie Murphy Fact File
| Full name | Edward Regan Murphy |
|---|---|
| Date of birth | 3 April 1961 (age 65) |
| Place of birth | Brooklyn, New York City, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Actor, comedian, writer, singer |
| Years active | 1976-present |
| Known for | Saturday Night Live, Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, Shrek |
| Stand-up specials | Delirious (1983), Raw (1987) |
| Signature role | Axel Foley |
| Current status | Shrek 5 due June 2027 |
Career History
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 1980-1984 | Saturday Night Live | Cast member |
| 1982 | 48 Hrs. | Reggie Hammond |
| 1983 | Trading Places | Billy Ray Valentine |
| 1984-2024 | Beverly Hills Cop series | Axel Foley |
| 1988 / 2021 | Coming to America / Coming 2 America | Prince Akeem and others |
| 2001-2010 | Shrek films | Donkey (voice) |
| 2006 | Dreamgirls | James "Thunder" Early |
| 2019 | Dolemite Is My Name | Rudy Ray Moore |
A selection of key screen roles; years show first release.
Early Years and Saturday Night Live
Murphy grew up in Brooklyn and was performing stand-up as a teenager. In 1980, aged 19, he joined Saturday Night Live, quickly becoming the show's breakout star during a four-year run.
His stand-up film Delirious (1983) and concert movie Raw (1987) remain landmarks of the form.
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Movie Stardom
His film debut, 48 Hrs. (1982), opposite Nick Nolte, was followed by Trading Places (1983). Then came Beverly Hills Cop (1984), with Murphy as the wisecracking Detroit detective Axel Foley - a role he reprised in 1987, 1994 and in Netflix's Axel F in 2024.
Coming to America (1988) saw him play several characters, a trick he repeated in The Nutty Professor (1996).
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Voices and Dramatic Turns
A new generation met him as Mushu in Mulan (1998) and as Donkey across four Shrek films from 2001. In 2006 his performance in Dreamgirls won him a Golden Globe and an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor.
Later Career
Dolemite Is My Name (2019) was widely hailed as a return to form, and in 2020 he won his first Primetime Emmy for hosting SNL. Recent films include Candy Cane Lane (2023) and the Prime Video action comedy The Pickup (2025).
He also returned to Zamunda in Coming 2 America (2021), more than three decades after the original, and was honoured with the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2023 Golden Globes. Few performers have moved so easily between stand-up, sketch comedy, blockbusters and voice work.
Awards
Film and TV
- Golden Globe, Best Supporting Actor, Dreamgirls
- Academy Award nomination, Dreamgirls
- Primetime Emmy, Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series (2020)
- Grammy, Best Comedy Recording (1984)
Career honours
- Mark Twain Prize for American Humor (2015)
- Cecil B. DeMille Award (2023)
- AFI Life Achievement Award (2026)
Away From the Spotlight
The 2025 Netflix documentary Being Eddie, directed by Angus Wall, gave fans a rare look at his career in his own words. His films have grossed billions of dollars worldwide, making him one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood history.
FAQs
How old is Eddie Murphy?
Eddie Murphy was born on 3 April 1961, so he is 65 years old as of October 2026.
Where was Eddie Murphy born?
He was born in Brooklyn, New York City.
What is Eddie Murphy's full name?
His full name is Edward Regan Murphy.
When was Eddie Murphy on SNL?
He was a Saturday Night Live cast member from 1980 to 1984, and returned to host in 2019, winning an Emmy.
Has Eddie Murphy won an Oscar?
No, but he was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for Dreamgirls, for which he won a Golden Globe.
Is Eddie Murphy in Shrek 5?
Yes, he returns as Donkey. Shrek 5 is due for release in June 2027.
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Part of our Icon Profiles series. Read next: Bill Murray Career Story and Jim Carrey Career Story.
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