Guide Note

Golden Globe winner Eddie Murphy, is an actor, film director, producer and comedian who starred in the television show Saturday Night Live and movies such as 48 Hrs, Beverly Hills Cop I, II and III. Recent movies include Dreamgirls and Norbit as well as the voice of the Donkey in the animated movies Shrek, Shrek II and Shrek the Third.

It was announced in May of 2008, that Murphy has agreed to reprise his role as Axel Foley in the upcoming film Beverly Hills Cop IV.

Fast Facts

1. Birth date: April 3, 1961
2. Birth place: Brooklyn, New York
3. Cousin of actor Martin Lawrence
4. Influenced by Bill Cosby and Richard Pryor
5. Released two stand up comedy movies; Delirious and Raw
6. Released two singles; "Party All the Time" and "Put Your Mouth on Me"

Murphy first appeared on Saturday Night Live in 1980 playing the character of Raheem Abdul Muhummad on the "Weekend Updates" skit. Popular characters that he has played include; Buckwheat, a spoof on the Little Rascals, Gumby, the life size version of the toy and Mr. Robinson, the inner-city black version of Mister Rodgers.

He also performed celebrity impressions such as James Brown and Stevie Wonder.

1. "I'm relaxed about my career. I've been making movies for over 20 years, so I've earned at least the right to relax."
2. "I've always had confidence. It came because I have lots of initiative. I wanted to make something of myself."
3. "I'm 42 and the age of a guy who has kids, so I guess I'm playing right where I'm supposed to be. I'm comfortable with that, but in the same breath I'd do something edgy. If someone came to me and offered me an edgy and funny story, then I'd do it."
4. "I'd like to produce, direct, write, score, and star in a film in exactly the way Chaplin did. I'll do that before I'm thirty."