Eddie Murphy has been a force of nature in entertainment for more than forty years. His voice, his timing, his fearlessness—everything about him reshaped what Hollywood thought possible. Rising through the fast-paced world of Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s, he became the blueprint for a modern superstar, blending charisma, sharp wit and boundary-pushing comedy into a career that few have matched.
His impact is carved into pop culture. From Beverly Hills Cop and Coming to America to Trading Places and The Nutty Professor, Murphy’s roles didn’t just make audiences laugh—they shifted the way Black performers were seen and celebrated on the global stage. His stand-up specials, Delirious and Raw, became cultural landmarks, inspiring generations of comedians from Chris Rock to Kevin Hart. Awards followed, but so did something even more valuable: the status of a pioneer.
That influence is now getting its flowers. Netflix is releasing a new documentary, Being Eddie, directed by two-time Academy Award winner Angus Wall, known for his work on The Social Network and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Wall calls Murphy “one of one,” highlighting how the actor has stayed grounded while navigating a level of fame most people never experience.
The documentary promises rare footage, intimate revelations and a close look at the man behind decades of iconic performances. Wall says the team chased questions that fans have always wondered: What drives him? What has kept him centered? How does someone stay brilliant for this long?
Murphy gave a glimpse of those answers in a recent conversation with BET.com. With a laugh, he revisited an old award speech where he offered two simple rules for life: pay your taxes and mind your business. He joked about how the second one seems to be disappearing from modern culture, but insisted it remains key to peace and longevity.
For him, staying focused and avoiding unnecessary noise is a kind of superpower. In a world hungry for attention, he chooses quiet. “It’s so much easier if you just mind your business and handle your sh*t,” he said. Success, in his view, comes not from chasing validation, but by protecting one’s inner calm.
Despite his legendary status, he refuses to crown himself a mentor to the next generation. Artists have to learn by doing, he explained. “You can’t really give advice because people have to go through it. The only way out is through it.” He sees his influence not as a personal triumph but as part of a long chain—Will Smith studied him, The Rock studied Smith, and now the cycle continues.
After decades of global fame and culture-shaping work, Murphy now finds fulfillment in being present. “I never looked at it from going from Point A to Point Z,” he said. “I always focused on the present moment.” That philosophy—simple, grounded, and deeply human—is the thread that has carried him through the highs and lows of Hollywood.
Being Eddie premieres Wednesday, November 12, only on Netflix, offering the world a closer look at a man who has mastered the art of staying true to himself while entertaining millions.
