Washington [US]June 30: Actor and comedian Eddie Murphy shared deep insights into his career and personal life, delving into a wide range of topics from the challenges of fame to racial dynamics in the entertainment industry.
In an interview obtained by The Hollywood Reporter , the 60-year-old spoke about the legacies of icons such as Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson and Prince, describing them as cautionary tales.
“They're all lesson figures to me,” he said, emphasizing that he is aware of the pitfalls that come with fame and substance abuse.
Murphy, who has kept his drug use to a minimum and lived a sober life throughout his career, attributes this to a lack of curiosity rather than any sense of moral superiority.
Murphy spoke candidly about overcoming obstacles, particularly as a black artist, as he reflected on his early days of making a name for himself in an industry that wasn't built for him.
“This industry isn't set up for black artists,” he explained, adding, “There's no one watching your back, there's no support groups.”
Despite these challenges, he credits God's guidance for helping him navigate the metaphorical minefield of fame for more than three decades.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, the conversation also touched on Murphy's personal feud with comedian David Spade, which began after he made a joke about Murphy's career on Saturday Night Live.
Murphy said he was hurt by the incident, stressed the joke was personal and questioned whether the show's producers had approved it.
However, he has since settled with Spade and the other parties involved, including SNL creator Lorne Michaels.
Murphy also spoke about his influence on comedy and black representation in Hollywood.
He pointed out that comedians such as Kevin Hart, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock and Chris Tucker paved the way for becoming leaders in entertainment.
“It changed the way comedy could be the main focus,” Murphy said, reflecting on the impact he had on the perception of comedians and black actors in mainstream film.
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