Eddie Murphy, the acclaimed 64-year-old actor known for his iconic roles in films like Beverly Hills Cop and The Nutty Professor, has officially stepped back from performing his own stunts. While he stars alongside Pete Davidson in the new action-comedy film The Pickup, Murphy has made it clear that his days of risking physical injury for entertainment are behind him.
In The Pickup, Murphy plays an armoured truck driver named Russell, who, along with his colleague Travis, becomes embroiled in a criminal scheme during a routine cash pickup. Despite the movie’s numerous action sequences, Murphy states he is content to let stunt professionals handle the more dangerous aspects of filming.
Eddie Murphy Prioritizes Safety Over Stunts
In an interview with Collider.com, Murphy expressed his perspective on performing stunts at this stage in his career. He explained, “I’m not doing any stunts. I’m not trying to do no stunts. You might see other actors, movie stars, do their own stunts and get older, and they still… People are coming to see me to laugh, so it’s not important that I really jump out the window.”
Murphy’s approach is pragmatic; he recognizes the importance of safety and the role of stunt professionals in delivering thrilling action scenes without jeopardizing his health. He added, “You get the stuntman to jump out the window and do it.” While he remains involved in fight scenes to maintain authenticity, he refrains from taking unnecessary risks.
On-Set Mishaps Highlight Risks
Despite his decision to avoid stunts, Murphy’s experience has not shielded him from on-set accidents. During filming for The Pickup, an unexpected incident occurred when he accidentally ripped a stuntman’s earring out during a fight scene. Reflecting on the moment, he recounted, “I’ve done so many movies. I kind of know how to do a fight and stuff like that. Every now and then, the last one we were doing, The Pickup, there was a scene where I’m fighting a guy, and he’s got a helmet on. I just snatch his helmet off, and he had his earring in, and he ripped his earring out.”
Murphy was quick to express his concern for the stuntman, who reassured him, saying, “I’m good,” despite bleeding from the ear. This incident serves as a reminder of the potential dangers involved in action filmmaking, underscoring Murphy’s rationale for avoiding stunts in the first place. He quipped, “If I was doing that scene, and they ripped my helmet and ripped my earring out, we would have to shut down production.”
With a career spanning over five decades, Murphy’s transition away from stunts reflects a broader trend in Hollywood where many seasoned actors prioritize safety and well-being. As audiences continue to flock to his films for laughter, Murphy remains focused on delivering engaging performances while leaving the high-risk stunts to the experts.
