Eddie Murphy Reflects on the Role of Providence in Refusing Cocaine

Eddie Murphy shares his gratitude for refusing cocaine offered by John Belushi and Robin Williams, attributing his decision to divine intervention and reflecting on the cautionary tales of other famous figures.

Eddie Murphy, the legendary actor and comedian, recently opened up about a pivotal moment in his early career when he refused cocaine offered to him by fellow comedians John Belushi and Robin Williams. Reflecting on this decision, Murphy, now 63, believes that a higher power was guiding him during that time.

During the height of his fame in the 1980s, Murphy found himself amidst the intense drug culture that surrounded many Hollywood stars. In an episode of “The Interview” podcast, Murphy recounted a night at the Blues Bar when he was just 19 years old. He was in the company of Belushi and Williams, both of whom were struggling with severe drug addictions.

“They start doing coke, and I was like, ‘No, I’m cool’,” Murphy shared. “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.”

The refusal to partake in cocaine, Murphy now sees as a moment of divine intervention, especially given the tragic outcomes of many of his peers. Belushi died from a heroin overdose at 33 in 1982, while Williams, who battled depression and addiction, took his own life in 2014 at the age of 63.

Murphy highlighted that these tragic stories serve as cautionary tales, not only for their individual lives but for the broader implications of fame and addiction. He mentioned other iconic figures such as Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley, who also succumbed to the pressures and pitfalls of stardom. Jackson died from a tranquilizer overdose at 50 in 2009, and Presley passed away at 42 from a heart attack linked to years of prescription drug abuse.

In a reflective interview with the “New York Times,” Murphy spoke about the dangers of achieving fame at a young age, particularly for black artists. “When you get famous really young, especially a black artist, it’s like living in a minefield. Any moment something could happen that can undo everything. It was like, all of this stuff is going on, and I’m totally oblivious,” he said.

Murphy expressed gratitude for surviving the perilous journey of his career. “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.”