Hollywood actor Eddie Murphy will receive a prestigious life achievement award from the American Film Institute (AFI). The award ceremony is scheduled for April 18, 2024, at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles. This recognition highlights Murphy’s remarkable impact on film, television, and stand-up comedy over nearly five decades.
Kathleen Kennedy, chair of the AFI’s board of trustees, remarked, “Eddie Murphy is an American icon. A trailblazing force in the art forms of film, television, and stand-up comedy, his versatility knows no bounds.” Murphy, now 64, began his career as a teenage stand-up comedian and gained widespread fame as a cast member on Saturday Night Live. He dominated the box office throughout multiple decades, starring in beloved films such as Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, The Nutty Professor, and the Shrek franchise.
In 2007, Murphy received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Dreamgirls. The film earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award and a Golden Globe, although he did not win the Oscar. Reflecting on his career in the new documentary Being Eddie, currently streaming on Netflix, Murphy disclosed that he felt more annoyance about the formalities of award ceremonies than about the loss itself. “It’s always wonderful to win stuff, but if I don’t win, I don’t give a (expletive),” he said. “I’m still Eddie in the morning.”
In addition to the AFI award, Murphy was honoured with the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes in 2023. During his acceptance speech, which he kept to a brisk two minutes, he shared his evolved perspective on fame. “You take everything for granted when you’re young, how successful I was. Now I take nothing for granted and appreciate everything,” Murphy told The Associated Press.
Murphy is the 51st recipient of the AFI life achievement award, which has been awarded since 1973. The inaugural award went to filmmaker John Ford. Recent honorees include renowned actors like Nicole Kidman, Julie Andrews, and Denzel Washington. This recognition not only cements Murphy’s legacy in the entertainment industry but also celebrates his contributions to popular culture over the years.
