Eddie Murphy, the iconic Hollywood figure, took a trip down memory lane during his recent appearance on Wednesday’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! Murphy, despite his youthful appearance, shared glimpses of the rich tapestry of his experiences in the entertainment industry.
One highlight of the interview was Murphy’s revelation about a $100,000 bet with the legendary Richard Pryor. The wager stemmed from Murphy’s decision to produce an album focused solely on music rather than his established comedy persona. Pryor, initially sceptical, doubted Murphy’s commitment and laid down the substantial bet. Despite Murphy successfully releasing the album, Pryor never paid up, a fact that, according to Murphy, was never explicitly addressed, even when they collaborated on the film Harlem Nights.
The conversation then shifted to Murphy’s role as the host of Sammy Davis Jr.’s 60th Anniversary special in 1990. A photo surfaced featuring Murphy alongside luminaries like Frank Sinatra, Mike Tyson, Whitney Houston, and more. Murphy reminisced about encountering Sinatra for the first time, sharing an amusing anecdote about the legendary singer’s casual remark on his age.
Amidst the star-studded event, Murphy also disclosed a surreal dinner date with Lola Falana, a person nearly two decades his senior, accompanied by an unexpected appearance by Johnny Brown, known for his role as Bookman on Good Times.
Despite promoting his new Christmas movie, Candy Cane Lane, Murphy delved into the filming of the much-anticipated “Beverly Hills Cop 4”. Addressing the physical demands of reprising his role as Axel Foley after four decades, Murphy humorously recounted a director’s request for him to run down steps with more urgency. Murphy’s response? A firm assertion that, despite still resembling Axel Foley, he wouldn’t undertake anything Morgan Freeman wouldn’t be asked to do.
