Hailed as one of the most talented, versatile and influential comedian actor of the 1980s, Eddie Murphy is also the creator multiple comedic offspring, including Rock, Martin Lawrence, Dave Chappelle and Jamie Foxx just as he was inspired by the legends of yesteryear, Redd Foxx, Bill Cosby and most particularly the racy and raw Richard Pryor. He became the first global superstar of Hollywood after the airing of 48 Hours in 1982, Trading Places in 1983 and especially Beverly Hills Cop in 1984, which remains one of the top-grossing comedies ever created.
He also played in Coming to America in 1988, The Nutty Professor in 1996, Dr. Dolittle in 1998. At the peak of his career, he was involved in a controversy after having been caught with a transvestite prostitute on Sunset Boulevard in 1997. His career rose again when he became a voice actor in Shrek and its three sequels. Norbit and Meet Dave have not been a success, but his 1996 musical, Dreamgirls, has been an absolute success. Despite his failures in the industry, Eddie Murphy is one of the most fortunate actors for being able to reclaim his prominence.
