Eddie Murphy’s Most Hilarious Movie Roles

Eddie Murphy’s Most Hilarious Movie Roles

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There is no match for Eddie Murphy's comedic genius. See highlights from a legendary career.

Eddie Murphy, a comedic legend with a long and successful career, has established himself as one of Hollywood's most recognizable actors. Murphy has continuously advanced the frontiers of comedy. He is known for his contagious laugh and mesmerizing personality. He also puts on performances that are both amusing and unforgettable. His broad filmography is more evidence of his talent and adaptability. Here, we highlight seven of Eddie Murphy's most entertaining movies that have won over viewers and established themselves as classics of the comedy genre.

Eddie Murphy's breakthrough performance as the witty and irreverent Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop provided an excellent demonstration of his comedic skills. Foley, a native of Detroit, arrives in Beverly Hills to look into the death of his friend. The stark contrast between his street-smart, impromptu approach to law enforcement and the conventional Beverly Hills police department also leads to a lot of amusing encounters. Murphy's impeccable comedic timing and likable demeanor serve as the foundation for this action-comedy classic, making it one of the highest-grossing movies of the 1980s. Whether he can subtly parody his opulent surroundings or his iconic "banana in the tailpipe" joke.

Coming To America (1988)

Coming to America features Murphy in an array of diverse roles. The most notable is Prince Akeem of Zamunda, who travels to Queens, New York, searching for love. Alongside the love story, Murphy also portrays different characters. These include a Jewish barbershop patron to a Soul singer named Sexual Chocolate. They also highlight his exceptional talent for character transformation. The humor in this film lies in the prince’s fish-out-of-water experience. Overall, this film’s comedic brilliance and Murphy’s multi-character performance make it a definitive comedy classic.

The Nutty Professor (1996)

In The Nutty Professor, Murphy explores new comedic territory as he juggles seven roles, most notably the mild-mannered, obese professor Sherman Klump and his suave, thin alter-ego, Buddy Love. Through the Klump family dinner scenes, Murphy also delivers a tour de force, seamlessly transitioning among characters, each with distinct personalities and quirks. He can extract humor from self-deprecation while delivering laugh-out-loud moments that make this film stand out. Murphy’s performance also made The Nutty Professor a box-office hit and spawned a sequel.

Trading Places (1983)

Trading Places, a comedy anchored in social commentary, sees Murphy at his best as the street-savvy hustler Billy Ray Valentine. The film also ingeniously uses humor to explore the nature-vs-nurture debate, thrusting Murphy’s character from the streets of Philadelphia into a high-powered financial firm as part of a cruel bet. As Valentine tries to navigate this new environment, his savvy street skills and clever wit further lead to several comedic moments.

48 Hrs. (1982)

The movie 48 Hrs. was Murphy’s film debut, marking his transition from his Saturday Night Live persona to the big screen. In this action-comedy, Murphy plays Reggie Hammond, a wise-cracking convict paired with a grizzled detective, portrayed by Nick Nolte, to catch a cop killer. The unlikely partnership and the ensuing culture clash provide ample room for Murphy’s comedic genius. His smooth-talking charm and ability to deliver laugh-inducing one-liners amidst high-stakes action shine throughout the film. The movie showcased Murphy’s potential as a star, setting the foundation for his illustrious film career.

Shrek (2001)

In animation, Murphy’s vocal performance as Donkey in the Shrek franchise added a comedic depth that resonated with both kids and adults. His character, a fast-talking, waffle-loving sidekick to the grumpy ogre Shrek, stole scenes with his incessant chatter and hilarious antics. Murphy’s energetic voice acting imbued Donkey with a charisma that made him an unforgettable character. His knack for delivering rapid-fire quips and his ability to express a wide range of emotions through voice alone added a layer of comedy that helped make Shrek an animation classic.

Dolemite Is My Name (2019)

Dolemite Is My Name offered Murphy a chance to portray a real-life comedic legend, Rudy Ray Moore. As Moore, Murphy delivers a heartfelt and humor-filled tribute to the “Godfather of Rap.” The film follows Moore’s journey from a struggling comedian to a Blaxploitation icon, capturing his perseverance and flair for hilarity. Murphy masterfully blends comedy with drama and offers numerous laugh-out-loud moments. This performance earned him a Golden Globe nomination and solidified Murphy’s position as a comedic legend.