{"id":540159,"date":"2026-04-19T23:38:33","date_gmt":"2026-04-19T23:38:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/540159\/"},"modified":"2026-04-19T23:38:33","modified_gmt":"2026-04-19T23:38:33","slug":"eddie-murphy-receives-2026-afi-life-achievement-award-at-starry-gala","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/540159\/","title":{"rendered":"Eddie Murphy Receives 2026 AFI Life Achievement Award at Starry Gala"},"content":{"rendered":"

\n\tEddie Murphy<\/a> didn\u2019t have a ton to say after a two-hour tribute inside Hollywood\u2019s Dolby Theater Saturday night as he received the 51st AFI Life Achievement Award, nor did he shed any tears. But he did have some jokes.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cHave these always been this size? It seems like this is small. Is it?\u201d Murphy asked as he held the silver star trophy. The crowd \u2014 filled with a who\u2019s who of comedy heavyweights, studio heads, Oscar winners, filmmakers, actors and fans \u2014 laughed at the quip. But there might\u2019ve been some truth to it, too, as no award could measure up to the larger-than-life career Murphy built across five decades, evidenced by larger-than-life character portraits that decorated the stage, spilling out from oversized frames.<\/p>\n

\n\tAt 65, Murphy said he found his way to the stage at just the right time. Accomplished enough to deserve it, young enough to fully enjoy the friends, collaborators and family members who filled out the black-tie event, and still spicy enough to toss out some of his signature humor. Spike Lee, the last in a starry parade of presenters to honor Murphy, had the task of presenting him with that seemingly miniature trophy. Murphy returned the favor by ribbing him by saying that every time Lee\u2019s beloved New York Knicks lost their bid to become NBA champs, Lee was in the building. \u201cIf you think about all those classic moments, you was there,\u201d Murphy said, to which Lee corrected him by saying he was present as a good luck charm at age 13 in 1970 when they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers.<\/p>\n

\n\tBut about Murphy\u2019s good timing. \u201cI just turned 65,\u201d Murphy noted, adding that he recently welcomed his first grandson and his third granddaughter. \u201cIt just feels like it\u2019s raining blessings on me this month. It\u2019s a lot of stuff, and to get this award and still look like myself, because sometimes they\u2019ll let you wait till you\u2019re real old to get this award.\u201d He name-checked recent recipients and their ages when they were honored, like Mel Brooks at 86, Francis Ford Coppola at 86 and the oldest ever, Lilian Gish at 92.<\/p>\n

\n\t\u201cIf you made me wait until I was 92, I would\u2019ve come out here and said, \u2018Fuck everybody. Fuck everybody!\u2019 Then I would have shit on the floor,\u201d he said before getting serious to close the ceremony, which will stream on Netflix<\/a> May 31. \u201cI was looking out and seeing all my family, all my kids, my beautiful wife, seeing all the different people that I worked with. This is a special moment. And I want to thank and [Netflix co-CEO] Ted Sarandos<\/a> for putting this whole thing together. I wish y\u2019all can feel what I\u2019m feeling, see what I\u2019m seeing.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tWhat the audience saw and heard was a generous helping of Murphy\u2019s great talents, showcased through clip reels, highlight packages and hilarious and heartfelt anecdotes from collaborators and close friends who praised his versatility, range and groundbreaking work, and for how he reached a hand back to help them along their way. Appearing on stage were Chris Rock<\/a>, Dave Chappelle<\/a>, Kevin Hart, Martin Lawrence<\/a>, Bill Burr, Mike Myers, Tracy Morgan, Kenan Thompson, Arsenio Hall, Stevie Wonder, Robert Townsend, Judge Reinhold, Eva Longoria, Da\u2019Vine Joy Randolph and Jennifer Hudson (who performed a medley of songs from Dreamgirls). (Dan Akroyd was due to present but dropped out due to \u201clife\u201d circumstances, per his daughter, Belle, who stood in for him and read comments he prepared.)<\/p>\n

\n\tThe program featured all of his greatest hits, documented in order from his breakout turn in 48 Hours to the recent Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F and nearly everything in between like Saturday Night Live, Delirious, Raw, Coming to America, Harlem Nights, Vampire in Brooklyn, Boomerang, The Nutty Professor, Shrek, Dreamgirls, Bowfinger, Dolemite is My Name, Mr. Church, Daddy Day Care and more. The honor made Murphy one of the few comedians to receive AFI\u2019s top prize, which has been awarded to Bette Davis, Alfred Hitchcock, Kirk Douglas, Jack Nicholson, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Harrison Ford, Barbra Streisand, Tom Hanks, Robert De Niro, Meryl Streep, George Lucas, Al Pacino, Warren Beatty, Michael Douglas, Steve Martin, George Clooney, Nicole Kidman and dozens of others. Murphy was the fourth Black artist to receive it after Sidney Poitier (1992), Morgan Freeman (2011) and Denzel Washington (2019).<\/p>\n

\n\tHart kicked off the show by breaking down the supposed origins of Murphy\u2019s full name, Edward Regan Murphy. \u201cWhat happened to give us Eddie Murphy? It\u2019s a lot of questions that I have, but regardless of the who, the how and the what, it tells us everything that we need to know about Edward Regan Murphy. Everything so much that we call the man Eddie. The reason why we call him Eddie is because he\u2019s our pop. He\u2019s our friend. And even you white people think he\u2019s your friend, where he\u2019s done a lot to show you different, but you think so. He\u2019s given us the gift of laughter across generations.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tHe also set the bar for Hart to reach in his own career. \u201cYou truly mean everything to me in this business. I stand where I stand today because of the work that you did before me, the doors that you opened up before me,\u201d he praised. \u201cYou are a brother, a mentor, an inspiration. God damn it, you\u2019re an idol. And I\u2019m lucky to call you a friend, man.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tMorgan called him an icon and an inspiration, and noted how Murphy did an impression of him on SNL\u2019s 50th anniversary special on the sketch \u201cBlack Jeopardy.\u201d<\/a> \u201cOne of the greatest performers ever who\u2019s going to be playing me in a sketch with me? My God, what if he\u2019s funnier than me?\u201d Morgan mused. \u201cAnd as we all know, Eddie Murphy does an incredible Tracy Morgan. Thanks, [Lorne Michaels]. Eddie Murphy did more for red leather outfits and cowboy boots than any Black man in history.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tSpeaking of SNL, Thompson honored Murphy by calling him the blueprint. \u201cFor me personally, as someone who grew up dreaming about making people laugh, he wasn\u2019t just an influence, he was proof. Proof that you could come in young, take big swings, trust your voice, and leave a mark that lasts decades. \u2026 But beyond the comedy, what I\u2019ve always admired most is your range, sir. I mean, you could have stayed in one lane and been comfortable forever, but you didn\u2019t do that. You evolved. You challenged yourself. You even changed your laugh. I mean, who does that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tChappelle, who co-starred with Murphy in The Nutty Professor, explained how Black people often have \u201cfear for their heroes\u201d because so many \u201care persecuted or shot down.\u201d Murphy quickly became a hero of his after he saw the seminal stand-up special Raw when he was 14. \u201cI knew somehow this was something really important in my life. Throughout my life, Eddie, man, I kept my eye on you. You were the ball I was watching. You were the hero that I worried about. Man, when you came up, it looked lonely. You was just by yourself. It was you, Michael Jackson, Rick James and Prince. All of whom are deceased and somehow you survived it.\u201d <\/p>\n

\n\tChappelle said he recently did an interview (with AP\u2019s Jonathan Landrum Jr.<\/a>) in which he said he was considering reviving Chappelle\u2019s Show. \u201cAnd I told the guy, I said, \u2018If you\u2019d asked me that a year ago, I\u2019d have said no.\u2019 Chappelle\u2019s Show was a very difficult show to do, but it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. And one of the reasons that it was great was your brother, Charlie,\u201d the stand-up said about Murphy\u2019s late brother, who passed away in 2017 and was a regular on the classic sketch show. \u201cI just want you to know, man, every time he mentioned you, he always said how proud he was of you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tThey recently had a chance to connect about Charlie when Chappelle reached out to Murphy and asked to come visit him. As Chappelle detailed the story, he also pitched Murphy to join a potential reboot \u2014 if there is one. \u201cI didn\u2019t know it was the day after his 65th birthday. Weather was beautiful. His grandkids were outside playing in the pool, screaming and laughing like children, just pure joy. And me and Eddie, for the first time, talked about Charlie since he passed. I hadn\u2019t seen him or really had an occasion to speak about it. And in the midst of conversation, Eddie was the one that said, \u2018Man, you should do a Chappelle\u2019s Show movie or something like that.\u2019 And I said, \u2018Man, that\u2019d be tough. That\u2019s your brother.\u2019 So Eddie, if I do it, man, do the Charlie parts and let\u2019s fucking go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tRobert Townsend, Skye Townsend and Dave Chappelle. Said Robert of Murphy: \u201cThey say laughter is healing. It\u2019s medicine. If that\u2019s true, then your body of work has helped heal this planet a few times.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Photo by Michael Kovac\/Getty Images for AFI)<\/p>\n

\n\tLike Morgan, someone who has experience being portrayed by Murphy is Wonder, whose appearance on stage was bookended by standing ovations. \u201cEddie and I found each other because he would imitate me on Saturday Night Live. He made fun of a blind man,\u201d said the living legend. \u201cI decided to show Eddie what a blind man could do with his comedy. I took over his show live on Saturday Night Live and it started a lifetime friendship. Eddie has shown me and us the power and courage of being funny. It\u2019s not easy to make people smile, trying to get them to look on the brighter side. But Eddie has a way of getting in our head and hearts to create a belly laugh that eases the pain, builds a bridge and diffuses a situation which makes a real difference. That is power. And that is courage. And that is the funny man. My friend. A real man. Not AI.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tWonder<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Photo by Kevin Winter\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\n\tMultiple presenters praised Murphy\u2019s versatility, including Hall, who was recruited for Coming to America by the man himself. \u201cI got to play four characters,\u201d said the former late night host. \u201cA journalist was trying to suit me up one time and he said, \u2018You have amazing range.\u2019 I replied, \u2018Pump the brakes, dog, save the word range for Eddie.\u2019 When Eddie does a family film, he played a whole damn family. Black characters, white characters, old Jewish men, a prince, a member of Congress, a human spaceship, Gumby, a donkey. That\u2019s range. Eddie, I\u2019m here today for you as a friend, but also I\u2019m here as a fan.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tHe played that donkey in the blockbuster animated franchise Shrek, and his co-star Myers turned up on stage in the title character\u2019s signature green in a comical moment. \u201cEddie\u2019s character, Donkey, is a masterpiece, as is every character that Eddie has created over the years. Lovable, hilarious, joyous, vulnerable and loyal. Eddie combines all of those in a tour de force. And plainly put, Eddie is one of the greatest. Now, obviously, I never got to work with Charlie Chaplin. I never got to work with Alec Guinness. I never got to work with Peter Sellers, but it is my absolute honor to say and to be able to tell my kids that I got to work with Eddie Murphy.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tMyers<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Photo by Savion Washington\/Getty Images for AFI)<\/p>\n

\n\tLike Hall, another actor who received Murphy\u2019s blessing was Randolph, who landed what would be a breakout turn in Dolemite. \u201cThe audition process and prep was rigorous, but Eddie bet on me. To be vouched [for] by someone like Eddie is like being knighted by a king in this industry. His taste and his talent is so revered and getting his stamp of approval opened countless doors for me with other titans in this industry. It has completely and wholly changed the trajectory of my career.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tIt also changed her promotional schedule for the Netflix film. \u201cUsually only the leads go on the press tour, but Eddie did something very rare and special. He made sure I was included in every step of it. And all those hours spent with him prepared me for my own journey with my award season with The Holdovers. I learned from not just Eddie the artist, but Eddie the icon. Now everywhere we went, we were greeted by sea of fans. The magnitude of this man\u2019s star power was so great that quite honestly, to be in that close proximity to that kind of energy overwhelmed me. But Eddie never flinched. I watched him navigate every fan encounter, every interview, every talk show with such a level of grace and humor, and that I will never forget. By far, the greatest gift that he ever gave me was the opportunity to learn by watching him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n\tOthers got to experience his comedy off the clock. Rock shared a story about a night they were at a club and a white woman walked up to Murphy and said, \u201cOh my God, I\u2019ve never kissed a Black man before. I\u2019ve never kissed a Black man before.\u201d Surrounded by an entourage, including his bodyguards, Murphy came quick with a punchline: \u201cEddie looked at her and goes, \u2018Hey, hey, hey, hey, you can\u2019t start at the top. You got to kiss one of these broke [n-word] first.\u201d <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tRock and Sarandos.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Photo by Michael Kovac\/Getty Images for AFI)<\/p>\n

\n\tMartin detailed the time he got to meet Murphy and it also didn\u2019t go so well. \u201cWhen I first came to California, I had the honor of meeting my idol, Eddie Murphy. I went up to his security, and I said, \u2018Can I meet him? Can I just meet him?\u2019 And they said, \u2018Yeah, you can meet him.\u2019 And Eddie was leaning over so cool. I said, \u2018Eddie Murphy, I\u2019m Martin Lawrence.\u2019 I said, \u2018Brother, can I take a picture with you?\u2019 Eddie looked at me so smooth and cool, looked me in the eyes, and he said, \u2018No.\u2019\u201d Water under the bridge these days, as Lawrence said he now can get all the photos he wants because they are in-laws (following the marriage of their children, Eric Murphy and Jasmin Lawrence).<\/p>\n

\n\tAfter all the clips were played and punchlines delivered, Murphy picked up his smaller-than-expected trophy and took a final bow. \u201cI\u2019m going to get backstage and cry,\u201d he said before walking off. \u201cBut this has been wonderful.\u201d And it was. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tByron Allen and Murphy, who said \u201cThank you for giving me this night that I will remember forever and ever and ever. I love you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Photo by Kevin Winter\/Getty Images)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tSarandos, Murphy and AFI\u2019s Bob Gazzale.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Photo by Savion Washington\/Getty Images for AFI)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tHart <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Photo by Michael Kovac\/Getty Images for AFI)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tThompson and Longoria, who starred with Murphy in Tim Story\u2019s The Pickup. <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Photo by Michael Kovac\/Getty Images for AFI)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tHudson <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Photo by Savion Washington\/Getty Images for AFI)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tRandolph <\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Photo by Michael Kovac\/Getty Images for AFI)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tBill Burr and Nia Renee Hill. Said Burr of Murphy: \u201cI truly think you\u2019re arguably the most talented guy who\u2019s ever been in this business. I don\u2019t think there\u2019s anything you can\u2019t do, and I\u2019m looking forward to more of your work. I love you to death.\u201d<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Photo by Tommaso Boddi\/Getty Images for FIJI Water)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tLawrence, Hall and Morgan with FIJI Water.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Photo by Joe Scarnici\/Getty Images for FIJI Water)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tSarandos and Lee with FIJI Water.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Photo by Joe Scarnici\/Getty Images for FIJI Water)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tClarence Chia, senior vp marketing, eCommerce and direct-to-consumer, FIJI Water and Alyssa Chia.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Photo by Tommaso Boddi\/Getty Images for FIJI Water)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tMurphy and wife Paige Butcher.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Photo by Tommaso Boddi\/Getty Images for FIJI Water)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tButcher, Murphy, Bella Murphy, and Michael Xavier.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Photo by Joe Scarnici\/Getty Images for FIJI Water)<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\"\"<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\tSinners Oscar-winning cinematographer Autumn Durald Arkapaw accepted the Franklin J. Shaffner alumni media award during the ceremony.<\/p>\n

\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t(Photo by Savion Washington\/Getty Images for AFI)<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Eddie Murphy didn\u2019t have a ton to say after a two-hour tribute inside Hollywood\u2019s Dolby Theater Saturday night…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":540160,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[32],"tags":[186264,6491,76359,76950,26263,96,151313,392,129474,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-540159","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-celebrities","8":"tag-afi-life-achievement-awards","9":"tag-celebrities","10":"tag-chris-rock","11":"tag-dave-chappelle","12":"tag-eddie-murphy","13":"tag-entertainment","14":"tag-martin-lawrence","15":"tag-netflix","16":"tag-ted-sarandos","17":"tag-uk","18":"tag-united-kingdom","19":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/540159","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=540159"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/540159\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/540160"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=540159"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=540159"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=540159"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}