Eddie Murphy Opens Up About Family and Career
Comedy legend Eddie Murphy offers viewers a rare look into his personal world in the new Netflix documentary Being Eddie. At 64, the beloved actor reflects on both his large family and his extraordinary four-decade career in Hollywood.
Murphy, best known for his standout roles as Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop, Sherman Klump in The Nutty Professor, and Donkey in Shrek, reveals a more personal side in this intimate portrait. Despite his fame, he has long kept his private life out of the spotlight—until now.
The Concept Behind the Documentary
“There’s a great clip of Eddie on a talk show early on in his career, talking about how he’s always been able to do impersonations and different voices. He talks about how his mom used to ask him, ‘Who’s Eddie? What voice is Eddie’s voice?’ This movie answers that question,”
said Angus Wall, director of Being Eddie. He explained that while Murphy has embodied countless characters, he has never truly portrayed himself on screen before.
“He opens up his world and his heart, and I think people are going to really enjoy spending time with him.”
Murphy’s Early Inspiration
The film traces Murphy’s beginnings, highlighting how a Richard Pryor comedy record sparked his dream of becoming a stand-up comedian at age 15. By setting a personal goal to go professional by 18, he demonstrated the drive that would define his future career.
“I remember when I turned 18, comics saying, ‘Hey, man, I thought you were going to get famous when you’re 18.’”
That ambition, paired with his comic genius, propelled Murphy into the spotlight and sustained his influence across generations.
Author’s Summary
The Netflix film captures Eddie Murphy finally revealing his authentic self, blending nostalgia, humor, and heartfelt reflection across his storied life in comedy and family.