Top Ten Eddie Murphy Performances

With My Name is Dolemite, a tribute to the life of Rudy Ray Moore, Eddie Murphy is threatening to have his third comeback as a mercurial comic performer. His take on the legendary blaxploitation figure, is generating early award buzz for Murphy (who stars as well as produces the film). Not bad for a 60 year old performer whose last hit movie was over ten years ago. Alas, this is the story of Murphy’s almost 40 year career in show business. Despite being universally revered as one of the most gifted comic talents of all time, he’s had an infuriatingly spotty resume when it comes to his work. Yet, this is a guy who knew from early childhood that he was born to be a star and has spent most of his life living in that reality. This list is my tribute to a man who has inspired millions the world over, the same way he was once inspired by Moore.

Ten

Life (1999)

This dramatic retelling of real events saw Eddie Murphy team up with fellow comic superstar, Martin Lawrence for the second time (the first been 1992’s Boomerang). They both star as a wrongfully convicted duo who are both framed for murder and have to serve life in prison. Although the movie bombed at the box office, Murphy was fantastic in his role as Harlem hustler, Ray Gibson and showed dramatic chops along with his comedic skills. The film also starred fellow comedians, Bernie Mac, Guy Torry and Anthony Anderson.

Nine

Raw (1987)

In 1987 Eddie Murphy was arguably the most famous entertainer in the world not named Michael Jackson. He had starred in a string of blockbuster movies and had taken to directing and making (admittedly bad) music - such was his confidence. Fortunately he also had time to return to his first love, stand-up comedy as he went on a nationwide tour that culminated in a 90 minute cinematic release simply titled Raw. Five years after his first special (Delirious), he was cockier, smoother and raunchier than ever. It’s also the last stand-up special he's done so let's hope the rumors of a Netflix special are real.

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Eight

Trading Places (1983)

To say the world was a different place in the early 80’s would be stating the obvious. Vinyl records sold in the millions, the Naira was strong and Saturday Night Live performers could carry movies. Murphy (who was still an SNL castmember) was paired with alum, Dan Aykroyd on Trading Places, a comedy spoofing Wall Street. If Murphy proved he had star potential with 1982’s 48 Hours, this movie proved he had bankable star power.

Seven

The Nutty Professor (1996)

After a string of critical and commercial disappointments, Murphy made something of a comeback with The Nutty Professor, a remake of a 1963 film with the same name. He plays Sherman Klump, a 300 pound professor/scientist who comes up with a weight-loss experimental drug in order to attract his love interest. The movie is the perfect platform for Murphy’s gifts as a performer as he plays seven different characters including most of Sherman’s family.

Six

Beverly Hills Cop (1984)

If Trading Places and 48 Hours put Eddie Murphy on the map as one of Hollywood’s biggest black actors, Beverly Hills Cop put Murphy on a similar tier with the likes of Stallone, Schwarzenegger and Harrison Ford. As Axel Foley, Murphy epitomized bad-ass cop with charm, humor and cockiness. His iconic performance clearly inspired the likes of Will Smith, Martin Lawrence (Bad Boys) and Chris Tucker (Rush Hour Trilogy) who saw that it was possible for a black comedic actor to carry a movie to international success.

Five

Shrek (2001)

Although it wasn’t his first foray into voice acting (Walt Disney’s Mulan), Murphy’s role as Donkey in Dreamsworks’ blockbuster Shrek, saw him reinvent himself for a new generation of fans. Along with Mike Myers Shrek, Murphy showed that he hadn’t lost any of the manic energy that made him the biggest comedian in the 1980’s. On the back of his critically acclaimed performance, Shrek became the first movie to win an Oscar for Best Animated Feature and has since led to 4 sequels.

Four

Saturday Night Live (1980-1984)

For all the words that could be used to describe Murphy’s time at Saturday Night Live, numbers would do a better job. At just 19 years of age, he auditioned and was hired as a bit part player. At 20 he became a full-time castmember. At 21, he and Joe Piscopo were the clear standouts in an otherwise unremarkable cast. At 22, he became the only castmember to ever host an SNL episode when the booked host - his 48 Hours co-star Nick Nolte – took ill. At 24, he decided to leave SNL to focus on movies fulltime. He was an SNL castmember for only 4 years and yet he’s still revered as one of the 3 greatest castmembers ever. When he returns to host SNL this December, it would be his first time hosting in 35 years. Who would bet against SNL recording its highest ratings of the season for that episode?

Three

Delirious (1983)

It seems ridiculous to think about now, but by the time the 22 year old Murphy decided to take his stand-up act on the road, he was something of a veteran already. After all he’d been performing in front of late-night audiences since he was 14. But watching him take to the stage – with that iconic red leather suit – with so much confidence and raw bravado is mind bogging. Where Raw saw Murphy showing signs of frustration with the perils of his fame, Delirious was a purely joyful (albeit extremely foul mouthed) affair. Whether he was mimicking celebrities, dissecting race relations or telling childhood stories, he did it with an energy reminiscent of his idol, Richard Pryor.

Two

Dreamgirls (2006)

It figures that the one time Eddie Murphy decided to take on a dramatic role, he wins universal acclaim for his performance. Coming off a divorce with the mother of eight of his children, Murphy found a way to channel his pain into his role as Jimmy “Thunder” Early, a troubled R&B star. His surprisingly vulnerable performance led to a slew of awards and nominations for Murphy in 2007 including Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild awards. How he didn’t win an Oscar for this role, I’ll never know. It really is up there as one of the best performances of Murphy’s career…

One

Coming to America (1988)

…but unfortunately it’s not Coming to America. This will always be the standout performance of Murphy’s career. As opposed to the other movies on this list, Murphy’s hands are all over this project. He not only starred in it, he also produced it and wrote it. Alongside good friend, Arsenio Hall, he delivered a stellar performance that still holds up over 30 years after its release. The good news is that at long last we are getting a sequel later this year tentatively titled Coming 2 America. Will it better the original? Chances are slim but considering Murphy’s talent, would you doubt him? I wouldn’t.

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