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Eddie Murphy

Eddie Murphy

Actor, producer and writer, also director · Born April 3, 1961 (65) · Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Primetime Emmy winner · 2 Golden Globes · Screen Actors Guild Award winner · 4 other major award bodies

Edward "Eddie" Regan Murphy (born April 3, 1961) is an American actor, voice actor, film director, producer, comedian, and singer. He is the second-highest grossing actor in motion picture history. He was a regular cast member on Saturday Night Live from 1980 to 1984, and has worked as a stand-up comedian. He was ranked #10 on Comedy Central's list of the 100 Greatest Stand-ups of All Time. He has received Golden Globe Award nominations for Golden Globe Award for New Star of the Year - Actor for his performance in 48 Hrs and best actor in a comedy or musical for his performances in Beverly Hills Cop, Trading Places, and The Nutty Professor. In 2007, he won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor for his portrayal of soul singer James "Thunder" Early in Dreamgirls, and received a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for the same role. Murphy's work as a voice actor includes Thurgood Stubbs in The PJs, Donkey in the Shrek series and the dragon Mushu in Disney's Mulan. In some of his films, he plays multiple roles in addition to his main character, intended as a tribute to one of his idols Peter Sellers, who played multiple roles in Dr. Strangelove and elsewhere. Murphy has played multiple roles in Coming to America, Wes Craven's Vampire In Brooklyn, the Nutty Professor films (where he played the title role in two incarnations, plus his father, brother, mother, and grandmother), Bowfinger, and 2007's Norbit.

Read more

Biography from TMDB.

Born
April 3, 1961 (65)
From
Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA
Works as
Actor, producer and writer, also director
Titles
52 on MovieCove · 83 credits in all
Links
IMDb (opens in a new tab)TMDB (opens in a new tab)Wikidata (opens in a new tab)

Known for

TMDB popularity, last 155 days to Oct 26Down 26% in 30 days

What are Eddie Murphy's films like?

Across their 57 MovieCove titles with a thematic analysis, their films lean Bonds and Society.

Genres

Comedy25 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 30th percentile
: browse their Comedy movies
Action13 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 31st percentile
: browse their Action movies
Animation9 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 57th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Animation movies
Documentary5 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 85th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Documentary movies
Drama2 titlesTypical Midcredits score: 64th percentile, at or above their average across these genres
: browse their Drama movies

Their MovieCove films by primary genre. The badge is the typical Midcredits score of the genre's films, the median percentile; an up arrow marks a genre at or above their average across these genres.

Themes

share of theme weight
Bonds
33%
Society
19%
Self
19%
Morality
16%
Ideas
5%
Power
4%
Survival
3%
Family bonds15 titles, browse their movies with this themeRomantic love11 titles, browse their movies with this themeCommunity12 titles, browse their movies with this themeJustice11 titles, browse their movies with this themeFriendship11 titles, browse their movies with this themeSelf-worth8 titles, browse their movies with this themeIdentity8 titles, browse their movies with this themeLoyalty6 titles, browse their movies with this theme

What they feel like to watch

their average across 56 films
ToneFeelDemandtheir average · filled zone: the category
Light: How heavy the subject matter and outlook get. Browse their light movies.
Tone · Weight
lightdark

Light 45 · Serious 9 · Dark 2

Stylized: How far its world departs from everyday reality. Browse their stylized movies.
Tone · Style
naturalisticheightened

Grounded 22 · Stylized 25 · Heightened 9

Charged: How hard the emotional peaks hit while you watch. Browse their charged movies.
Feel · Intensity
gentleintense

Gentle 25 · Charged 25 · Intense 6

Steady: How much it swings between very different feelings. Browse their steady movies.
Feel · Swings
steadyswings

Steady 33 · Shifting 18 · Whiplash 5

Funny: How much of the runtime is played for laughs. Browse their funny movies.
Feel · Humor
noneconstant

Straight-faced 1 · Some laughs 11 · Funny 44

Even-paced: How fast it moves from scene to scene. Browse their even-paced movies.
Demand · Pace
slowrelentless

Slow burn 14 · Even-paced 32 · Relentless 10

Casual: How much focus it asks of you — look away and lose the thread? Browse their casual movies.
Demand · Attention
casualfull focus

Casual 42 · Engaged 14 · Full focus 0

Resolved: How much is left for you to interpret. Browse their resolved movies.
Demand · Resolution
resolvedambiguous

Resolved 55 · Open-ended 1 · Ambiguous 0

Roles they play

58 analyzed roles

Usually the Hero: 25 of 58 analyzed roles.

Hero
25 of 58
Trickster
10 of 58
Ally
9 of 58
Mentor
5 of 58
Shadow
4 of 58
Shapeshifter
2 of 58
Threshold guardian
2 of 58
Herald
1 of 58
Show the 58 roles

Moods and endings

endings are an aggregate; no title is named

Dominant moods · mentions across their titles

Joyful
33
Absurd
28
Warm
25
Thrilling
14
Hopeful
13
Other
38

How their films linger

Feel-good41 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteFun33 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteHopeful21 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteRousing8 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteBittersweet5 titles, browse their movies with this aftertasteCathartic2 titles, browse their movies with this aftertaste

How their films end · 7 with a twist

  • Happy45
  • Bittersweet12

AI-generated from each title's plot synopsis and cast list, with extra plot summaries, reviews and Parents Guide notes for titles the model may not know, and the model's own knowledge of the ones it recognizes. Only analyzed titles count, so this covers part of the filmography; the feel axes count films only for now.

Where can I watch Eddie Murphy's films?

As of October 24, 2026, 41 of their 52 MovieCove titles stream on a subscription or free service, most on Pluto TV (13).

Also on these channels

Subscription and free streaming for Eddie Murphy's titles on MovieCove; rent and buy are not counted. Titles are listed by Midcredits score, highest first, at most 12 per service; a dashed chip is a producer credit or a minor one, such as a thanks. A service opens the browse page, which counts movies only, so its number can differ.

Filmography

83 credits, 52 with a MovieCove page; 75 appearances as themselves are hidden until asked for.

  • Donkey (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2028)

    as Donkey (voice)

  • Shrek 5 (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2027)

    as Donkey (voice)

  • The Pickup(2025)

    Producer · as Russell

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • An SNL Thanksgiving (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2024)

    as (archive footage)

  • Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F(2024)

    Producer · as Axel Foley

    Midcredits score: 60th percentile of all films

  • Candy Cane Lane(2023)

    Producer · as Chris Carver

    Midcredits score: 26th percentile of all films

  • Eddie Murphy : Hollywood's Black King (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2023)

    as Kendisi (arşiv görüntüleri)

  • You People(2023)

    as Akbar

    Midcredits score: 19th percentile of all films

  • Coming 2 America(2021)

    Characters · Producer · as Prince Akeem / Clarence / Saul / Randy Watson

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Entre broma y broma (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2020)

    Show 1 episode · as Eddie Murphy

  • Dolemite Is My Name(2019)

    Producer · as Rudy Ray Moore

    Midcredits score: 88th percentile of all films

  • Mr. Church(2016)

    as Henry Church

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Shrek Stories (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2013)

    as Donkey (voice)

  • Dreamworks: Holiday Classics (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2012)

    as Donkey (voice)

  • Shrek's Thrilling Tales(2012)

    as Donkey (voice)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • A Thousand Words(2012)

    as Jack McCall

    Midcredits score: 35th percentile of all films

  • Tower Heist(2011)

    Producer · as Slide

    Midcredits score: 46th percentile of all films

  • Donkey's Caroling Christmas-tacular(2010)

    as Donkey (voice)

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Shrek's Yule Log (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Donkey (voice)

  • The Women of SNL (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2010)

    as Gumby (archive footage)

  • Shrek Forever After(2010)

    as Donkey (voice)

    Midcredits score: 55th percentile of all films

  • Imagine That(2009)

    as Evan Danielson

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Meet Dave(2008)

    as Dave / Captain

    Midcredits score: 16th percentile of all films

  • Shrek the Halls (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2007)

    as Donkey (voice)

  • Shrek the Third(2007)

    as Donkey (voice)

    Midcredits score: 45th percentile of all films

  • Norbit(2007)

    Producer · Screenplay · Story · as Norbit / Rasputia / Mr. Wong

    Midcredits score: 13th percentile of all films

  • Dreamgirls(2006)

    as James 'Thunder' Early

    Midcredits score: 73rd percentile of all films

  • Dreamworks 5 Holiday Classics Collection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2005)

    Show 5 episodes · as Donkey (voice)

  • Far Far Away Idol(2004)

    as Donkey (voice)

    Midcredits score: 57th percentile of all films

  • Father of the Pride (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2004)

    Show 1 episode · as Donkey (voice)

  • Shrek 2(2004)

    as Donkey (voice)

    Midcredits score: 94th percentile of all films

  • Shrek: The Ghost of Lord Farquaad(2003)

    as Donkey (voice)

    Midcredits score: 48th percentile of all films

  • The Haunted Mansion(2003)

    as Jim Evers

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • DreamWorks 6 Spooky Stories Collection (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(2003)

    Show 1 episode · as Donkey (voice)

  • Daddy Day Care(2003)

    as Charlie Hinton

    Midcredits score: 33rd percentile of all films

  • I Spy(2002)

    as Kelly Robinson

    Midcredits score: 18th percentile of all films

  • The Adventures of Pluto Nash(2002)

    as Pluto Nash

    Midcredits score: 3rd percentile of all films

  • Showtime(2002)

    as Officer Trey Sellars

    Midcredits score: 20th percentile of all films

  • Shrek in the Swamp Karaoke Dance Party(2001)

    as Donkey (voice) (singing voice)

    Midcredits score: 72nd percentile of all films

  • Dr. Dolittle 2(2001)

    as Dr. John Dolittle

    Midcredits score: 10th percentile of all films

  • Shrek(2001)

    as Donkey (voice)

    Midcredits score: 98th percentile of all films

  • Nutty Professor II: The Klumps(2000)

    Executive Producer · as Sherman Klump / Buddy Love / Granny Klump / Mama Klump / Papa Klump / Young Papa Klump / Ernie Klump / Lance Perkins

    Midcredits score: 7th percentile of all films

  • Saturday Night Live: 25th Anniversary Special (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    as (archive footage)

  • Bowfinger(1999)

    as Kit Ramsey / Jeffernson 'Jiff' Ramsey

    Midcredits score: 65th percentile of all films

  • Life(1999)

    Producer · as Rayford Gibson

    Midcredits score: 75th percentile of all films

  • The PJs (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1999)

    Show 43 episodes · Creator · Executive Producer · as Thurgood Stubbs (voice)

  • Holy Man(1998)

    Executive Producer · as G

    Midcredits score: 12th percentile of all films

  • Doctor Dolittle(1998)

    as Dr. John Dolittle

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • Mulan(1998)

    as Mushu (voice)

    Midcredits score: 97th percentile of all films

  • Metro(1997)

    as Inspector Scott Roper

    Midcredits score: 23rd percentile of all films

  • The Nutty Professor(1996)

    Executive Producer · as Sherman Klump / Buddy Love / Lance Perkins / Papa Klump / Mama Klump / Grandma Klump / Ernie Klump

    Midcredits score: 30th percentile of all films

  • Vampire in Brooklyn(1995)

    Producer · Story · as Maximillian / Pauly / Guido

    Midcredits score: 9th percentile of all films

  • Beverly Hills Cop III(1994)

    Producer · as Axel Foley

    Midcredits score: 21st percentile of all films

  • Michael Jackson: Dangerous - The Short Films (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1993)

    as King (uncredited)

  • The Distinguished Gentleman(1992)

    as Thomas Jefferson Johnson

    Midcredits score: 36th percentile of all films

  • Boomerang(1992)

    Executive Producer · Story · as Marcus Graham

    Midcredits score: 34th percentile of all films

  • MTV Movie & TV Awards (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • The Tonight Show with Jay Leno (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Michael Jackson: Remember The Time (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1992)

    as King

  • The Royal Family (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1991)

    Show Creator

  • The Kid Who Loved Christmas(1990)

    Executive Producer

    Midcredits score: 54th percentile of all films

  • Another 48 Hrs.(1990)

    Executive Producer · Story · as Reggie Hammond

    Midcredits score: 31st percentile of all films

  • Harlem Nights(1989)

    Director · Executive Producer · Screenplay · as Quick

    Midcredits score: 47th percentile of all films

  • Coming to America(1988)

    Executive Producer · Story · as Prince Akeem / Clarence / Randy Watson / Saul

    Midcredits score: 83rd percentile of all films

  • Eddie Murphy: Raw(1987)

    Executive Producer · Writer · as Self

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Beverly Hills Cop II(1987)

    Executive Producer · Story · as Axel Foley

    Midcredits score: 64th percentile of all films

  • Uptown Comedy Express (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1987)

    Actor

  • The Golden Child(1986)

    Executive Producer · as Chandler Jarrell

    Midcredits score: 40th percentile of all films

  • An All-Star Celebration Honoring Martin Luther King Jr. (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1986)

    Actor

  • Friday People (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1985)

    Show 1 episode · Actor

  • Beverly Hills Cop(1984)

    Executive Producer · as Axel Foley

    Midcredits score: 92nd percentile of all films

  • Best Defense(1984)

    Executive Producer · as Landry

    Midcredits score: 2nd percentile of all films

  • Eddie Murphy: Delirious (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)(1983)

    Producer · Screenplay · as Self

  • Trading Places(1983)

    as Billy Ray Valentine

    Midcredits score: 93rd percentile of all films

  • 48 Hrs.(1982)

    as Reggie Hammond

    Midcredits score: 78th percentile of all films

  • Saturday Night Live(1975)

    Show 69 episodes · Writer · as Party Guest (uncredited) · as Raheem Abdul Muhammed (uncredited) · as Self · as Self - Host · as Self - Various Characters

    Midcredits score: 71st percentile of all shows

  • Attachment Parenting (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Producer · Actor

  • Beverly Hills Cop (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Show 1 episode · as Det. Axel Foley

  • Blue Falcon (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Producer · Actor

  • It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World reboot (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Producer

  • The Pink Panther (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    as Inspector Clouseau

  • Untitled George Clinton Biopic (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Producer

  • Untitled Grumpy Old Men Remake (not in the MovieCove catalog yet)

    Actor

Career shape

Star power in the 99th percentile of 239,109 people with a billed film role, over a full career of 83 titles, 74 of them dated from 1975 to 2025; peak year 2002.

Biggest box office

Shrek 2 (2004)

$933M worldwide

Highest rated

Shrek (2001)

Midcredits 98th

Film career

MilestoneBreakoutAward winNomination
19752025

Peak 2002 · their film career is on the way up. Top draw in 43 MovieCove titles. Film roles by billing, audience size and rating; 25+ votes. A show carries a single first-air date, so shows are not on the curve.

Show 4 more milestones

By role

only this rolewith another role
Acting77 of 83: 53 only acting, 24 with another role · typical Midcredits score36thDirecting1 of 83: 0 only directing, 1 with another roleWriting11 of 83: 0 only writing, 11 with another role · typical Midcredits score41stProducing28 of 83: 3 only producing, 25 with another role · typical Midcredits score37thOther crew2 of 83: 1 only other crew, 1 with another role

83 titles, 26 with more than one role — acting and producing overlap on 23 of them.

By decade

1970s1 · 1 acting · 1 crew1980s13 · 11 acting · 8 crew1990s20 · 18 acting · 9 crew2000s21 · 21 acting · 2 crew2010s11 · 11 acting · 2 crew2020s8 · 8 acting · 4 crew

Billing

usually 1st · top billed in 56% of 54 roles
82879702071217

Counts from TMDB across their full career, self appearances out; a title counts in every role they held on it. The ring is the typical Midcredits score (the median percentile) of the role's titles that are on MovieCove, shown from 5 scored. Billing is TMDB cast order for roles with 25+ votes, billed in the top 30; the columns are the share of top-billed roles in each era, 5-year spans from the year on the label, merged until each holds at least 5 roles.

Awards

a Primetime Emmy, 2 Golden Globes, a Screen Actors Guild Award and 2 other major awards from 22 major nominations, 1983–2023.

WinNomination
  1. 2023
    • Golden Globe, won
  2. 2020
    • Primetime Emmy, won · Outstanding Guest Actor in a Comedy Series
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy
    • +1 other major body · 1 nomination
      • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Actor
  3. 2007
    • Oscar, nominated · Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
    • Golden Globe, won · Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role in a Motion Picture
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, won · Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Supporting Role
    • Screen Actors Guild Award, nominated · Outstanding Performance by a Cast in a Motion Picture
    • +1 other major body · 1 win and 1 nomination
      • Critics Choice Award, won · Best Supporting Actor
      • Critics Choice Award, nominated · Best Acting Ensemble
  4. 2002
    • BAFTA Award, nominated · Best Performance by an Actor in a Supporting Role
  5. 1999
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Animated Program (For Programming One Hour or Less)
  6. 1997
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
  7. 1985
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
  8. 1984
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Individual Performance in a Variety or Music Program
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Writing in a Variety or Music Program
    • Golden Globe, nominated · Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture - Comedy or Musical
    • +1 other major body · 1 win
      • Grammy Award, won · Best Comedy Recording
Show 1 earlier year
  1. 1983
    • Primetime Emmy, nominated · Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Comedy, Variety or Music Series
    • Golden Globe, nominated · New Star of the Year in a Motion Picture - Male
    • +1 other major body · 2 nominations
      • Grammy Award, nominated · Best Comedy Recording
      • Grammy Award, nominated · Best R&B Instrumental Performance

Major bodies only: the Oscars, Primetime Emmys, Golden Globes, BAFTAs and Screen Actors Guild Awards are named; Cannes, Venice, the Berlinale, Sundance, the directors', writers' and producers' guilds, the Grammys, Critics Choice and the Independent Spirit Awards count as other major bodies. Festival and regional prizes are not counted. Source: IMDb.

How do Eddie Murphy's films land?

Their typical MovieCove film has a Midcredits score in the 36th percentile, the median of all 51; across their 56 films with reception data, the typical film sits in the 41st percentile for acclaim.

Acclaim · how much people like their films

41stpercentile
Typical film, the median of 56

Approval · how many liked their films

39thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 56

Reach · how many have seen their films

95thpercentile
Typical film, the median of 56

Midcredits score across 52 titles, by percentile

  • 75th and up11
  • 50th to 74th10
  • 25th to 49th13
  • Below 25th18

Shape of the crowd

17 of their 52 titles are Crowd Pleasers.

  • Universally Loved5
  • Universally Panned2
  • Crowd Pleaser17
  • Broadly Agreed14
  • Mixed14

Most divisive · producer

The Kid Who Loved Christmas (1990)

79th percentile spread · 17% rated it 4 or lower

Most loved · actor

Shrek (2001)

Midcredits 98th · 89% liked

Reviewers score the acting 69/100 in their films, across 48 reviewed titles; fans 79, detractors 44. The element that speaks to their work as an actor.

Percentiles are each film's standing among all films on MovieCove; the typical film is the median, so one outlier cannot drag it. Percentiles and reviewer scores count the films IMDb credits them on, for now; the Midcredits score bands, the shape of the crowd and the two cards count their MovieCove titles, shows included (a show ranked among shows), appearances as themselves left out. A descriptor is the shape of a title's IMDb rating distribution against the catalog; "most divisive" needs a spread wider than half of all titles, and a card names only a principal credit: a craft role, and on a show a crew role or a run of episodes, never a courtesy credit or a one-off guest spot.

Is Eddie Murphy's work okay for kids?

Across up to 44 MovieCove titles with content scores, profanity runs heavier than most films.

Their medianMedian of all filmsMiddle 80% of their titles
Violence & Gore38 titles23–67 · median 38 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 44
Sex & Nudity43 titles18–58 · median 36 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 32
Profanity44 titles30–89 · median 62 · intenseheavier than most filmsMedian of all films: 36
Alcohol & Drugs35 titles20–58 · median 35 · moderatenear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 33
Frightening / Intense37 titles12–48 · median 31 · mildnear the median of all filmsMedian of all films: 39

Severity 0–100 from the Content Guide. Categories with under 10 votes on a title are not counted. The band's colour is the severity of their median, named beside it.

Who does Eddie Murphy work with?

People who share at least 2 of Eddie Murphy's MovieCove titles, grouped by what they did on them; Mike Myers shares the most, 9.

Directors

Writers

Actors

Composers and editors

Producers

Mixed roles