By Ben Emos, Mary Jones | Sunday, June 30, 2024 | 5 min read
Eddie Murphy has candidly shared how observing the lives and early deaths of major celebrities who came before him, like Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and Prince, has influenced his own life choices. In an episode of The New York Times podcast The Interview, Murphy spoke with host David Marchese about various topics, including his avoidance of drug use and resolving past conflicts, such as his feud with David Spade.
During the conversation, Marchese noted that Murphy once reached a level of fame comparable to Presley, Jackson, and Prince—all of whom died young due to drug-related issues. Murphy acknowledged that he was aware of the dangers that accompany such high levels of fame. He sees the lives of these legendary figures as cautionary tales, guiding him to navigate his own career and personal life with caution and awareness. This understanding has helped Murphy to avoid the pitfalls of substance abuse and maintain a more balanced and healthy lifestyle despite the pressures of his fame.
Eddie Murphy opened up about how major celebrities who died young, such as Elvis Presley, Michael Jackson, and Prince, have served as cautionary tales in his life. During his interview on The New York Times podcast The Interview with host David Marchese, Murphy shared his personal experiences and insights on fame and substance abuse.
“Those guys are all cautionary tales for me,” Murphy said. He explained that he has always stayed away from drugs and alcohol, citing a lack of interest rather than a moral stance. “I don’t drink. I smoked a joint for the first time when I was 30 years old — the extent of drugs is some weed. I remember I was 19, I went to the Blues Bar. It was me, [John] Belushi and Robin Williams. They start doing coke, and I was like, ‘No, I’m cool.’ I wasn’t taking some moral stance. I just wasn’t interested in it. To not have the desire or the curiosity, I’d say that’s providence. God was looking over me in that moment.”
Murphy reflected on the unique challenges of gaining fame at a young age, especially as a Black artist. He described navigating his career as akin to living in a minefield, where one wrong step could undo everything. “Now, at this age, I can look back and be like, ‘Wow, I came through a minefield for 35 years.’ How do you make it through a minefield for 35, 40 years? Something has to be looking over you,” he said. Murphy emphasized that the entertainment industry is not set up for Black artists, and he often lacked the support and protection that others might have.
Additionally, Murphy discussed the “cheap shots” he has endured throughout his career, specifically mentioning an incident with David Spade on Saturday Night Live. Spade made a joke about Murphy’s recent box office flops during his “Hollywood Minute” segment, which Murphy found hurtful at the time.
Murphy’s reflections underscore his awareness of the potential pitfalls of fame and his gratitude for having navigated them successfully, often attributing his resilience to a higher power looking out for him.
Eddie Murphy revealed that a joke made by David Spade on Saturday Night Live (SNL) deeply hurt him and led to a long period of estrangement from the show. In the joke, Spade showed a photo of Murphy and quipped, “Everybody, catch a falling star.” Reflecting on this incident during his interview on The New York Times podcast The Interview, Murphy said it hurt his feelings and left him feeling betrayed by the SNL family.
“It was like: ‘Wait, hold on. This is Saturday Night Live. I’m the biggest thing that ever came off that show. The show would have been off the air if I didn’t go back on the show, and now you got somebody from the cast making a crack about my career?’” Murphy explained. He was particularly upset because he believed such jokes had to be approved by the producers, indicating to him that the producers thought it was acceptable to make fun of his career.
Murphy noted that this was unprecedented, as he had never heard jokes about anyone else’s career on the show, especially given that many former cast members did not achieve the same level of success he did. He felt the joke was a personal attack and possibly racist, leading him to stay away from SNL for 30 years, not returning until the 40th anniversary.
Despite the long-standing hurt, Murphy shared that he has since reconciled with Lorne Michaels, Spade, and SNL. He no longer holds any issues with them and has moved past the incident.
Murphy also addressed the perception that he paved the way for comedians like Kevin Hart, Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, and Chris Tucker. He humbly downplayed this notion, stating that while he might have been an influence, these comedians took their own unique paths and achieved success in their own right, distinct from his journey.
The New York Times podcast The Interview. He reflected on how he redefined the role of comedians in entertainment, shifting them from sidekicks or opening acts to main attractions. Murphy stated, “The comic used to be the sidekick, the comic was the opening act, and I changed it to where the comic can be the main attraction. They thought of comics one way, and it was like, no, a comic could sell out the arena, and a comic could be in hundred-million-dollar movies. All of that changed.”
Murphy also discussed his influence on the perception and roles of Black actors in Hollywood. He noted that his success demonstrated that Black actors could lead mainstream films that appeal to global audiences, moving beyond the confines of Blaxploitation films. “With Black actors, it was, like, the Black guy could be the star of the movie, and it doesn’t have to be a Black exploitation movie. It could be a movie that’s accessible to everyone all around the world.”
His career has undeniably paved the way for future generations of comedians and actors, showcasing that they can be the main attraction and lead in blockbuster films, setting a new standard in the industry.
