Eddie Murphy is the recipient of a Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute (AFI). The star-studded ceremony honoring Murphy took place at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday, April 18. And how iconic that the legendary comedian, before heading to the stage, to a standing ovation, first passed through his fellow comics who have been greatly influenced by Murphy’s work: Martin Lawrence, Dave Chappelle, and his long-time buddy, Arsenio Hall. As well as famed filmmaker Spike Lee and Murphy’s Beverly Hills Cop (franchise) co-star, Judge Reinhold.
“Seeing all of my family, all my kids, my beautiful wife, and seeing all the different people I worked with, I’m just really filled up,” said Murphy, who received the life achievement award at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles on Saturday night. “This is a special moment. I wish y’all could feel what I’m feeling, see what I’m seeing. I almost teared up. I’m going to get backstage and cry.”
The Brooklyn, NY native first came onto the national scene as a 19-year-old stand-up sensation when he began starring on “Saturday Night Live” in 1980. Murphy, 65, would go on to cement his iconic career with box office successes with films like “Beverly Hills Cop,” “Coming to America,” “The Nutty Professor,” and the “Shrek” franchise. Murphy also earned an Academy Award nomination for his role as James “Thunder” Early in the 2006 musical film Dreamgirls. Though he didn’t win the Oscar, he had previously won the Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild Award for the same performance.
“Large images from those defining moments filled the venue stage, tracing a career that has crossed stand-up, television, and film.”
“Eddie made us laugh and made our nation feel better,” said Lee, who presented the award to Murphy. “I took a camera and told stories on how our nation could be better. … We both pushed culture forward. … Every step of this journey, Eddie has been true to himself.”
Other comedians reflected on Murphy’s star influence, which has impacted generations of fans, old and new.
“There is no us without you,” Rock said.
‘Lawrence, who starred in the film “Life” with Murphy, shared a personal moment from early in his career, recalling how Murphy once declined his request for a photo. But now, that shouldn’t be a problem since their children married each other in 2025.’
“Now I can get all the pictures I want,” Lawrence said with a smile. “Because we’re in-laws.”
Arsenio Hall, Murphy’s longtime collaborator on “Coming to America,” spoke about Murphy advocating for him in the film and highlighted the depth of his talent.
“When Eddie does a family film, he plays a whole damn family,” Hall said.
The tribute, which also featured appearances from Bill Burr, Kevin Hart, Eva Longoria, Da’Vine Joy Randolph, and Kenan Thompson, will premiere as a special on Netflix on May 31.
Congratulations, Eddie!!
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Credit: Eddie Murphy accepts the AFI Lifetime Achievement Award in Los Angeles on Saturday.Kevin Winter / Getty Images
