Eddie Murphy recently opened up about a pivotal moment in his early career that helped him steer clear of drugs, thanks to an encounter with comedy legends John Belushi and Robin Williams. During an appearance on The New York Times’ The Interview podcast, the 63-year-old actor recounted a night out in the 1980s when he was just 19 years old. Murphy, Belushi, and Williams were at a bar when the two older comedians began using cocaine. Murphy, however, declined their invitation to join them.
Reflecting on that moment, Murphy explained that his decision wasn’t based on a moral stance but rather a lack of interest. “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,” he said. “God was looking over me in that moment.”
Murphy emphasized that as a young, up-and-coming comedian, he was acutely aware of the potential pitfalls that could derail his burgeoning career. “When you get famous really young, especially a Black artist, it’s like living in a minefield. At any moment, you could step on a mine. Any moment, something could happen that can undo everything,” he noted. Despite the dangers, Murphy admitted he was somewhat oblivious to the risks at the time.
The actor, who made his debut on Saturday Night Live at just 19, likened the challenges of early fame to navigating a minefield. “Just imagine being a young person and having the world placed at your feet. Nobody’s saying ‘no,’ and everybody wants to be around you. You try all types of stuff and get caught up in all kinds of things. That’s what destroys people,” he said.
Murphy’s decision to avoid drugs has been reinforced by the tragic fates of other legendary entertainers. John Belushi died of a heroin overdose in 1982 at the age of 33, and Robin Williams took his own life in 2014 after a lifelong struggle with severe depression. Murphy also cited the untimely deaths of Prince, Michael Jackson, and Elvis Presley as cautionary tales that have influenced his choices. “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,” he revealed.
Murphy’s career has been marked by incredible success and longevity, a feat he attributes to a combination of providence and personal choices. He joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1980, a move that revitalized the show and catapulted him to stardom. His iconic characters, such as Gumby and Mr. Robinson, became cultural touchstones, and his film career took off with hits like Beverly Hills Cop and 48 Hrs.
Despite his early success, Murphy admitted that he didn’t always appreciate the magnitude of his achievements. “I started at maybe around 13, 14, saying that I was going to be famous. I’d tell my mother, ‘When I’m famous…’ So when I got famous, it was like, ‘See, I told you.’ I was having these famous people that I grew up watching on television wanting to have a meal with me. After 48 Hrs, Marlon Brando calls my agent and wants to meet me. Now I look back and go, ‘Wow, that’s crazy, the greatest actor of all time wants to have dinner with you!’ But back then I just thought, ‘Well, that’s the way it is — you make a movie, and Marlon Brando calls,’” he recalled.
Murphy’s ability to navigate the minefield of fame has not gone unnoticed. He was recently honored with the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2023 Golden Globe Awards, recognizing his outstanding contributions to the world of entertainment. Despite his accolades, Murphy remains grounded and focused on his craft. He is currently promoting his latest project, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, set to release on Netflix, and is also working on a new Shrek movie, including a Donkey spinoff.
In the podcast, Murphy also touched on his years-long feud with David Spade, which began after Spade made a joke about Murphy’s career during a 1995 episode of Saturday Night Live. “It was like, ‘Yo, how could you do that?’ My career? Really? A joke about my career?” Murphy recalled. “So I thought that was a cheap shot. And it was kind of, I thought — I felt it was racist.”
Murphy’s journey through fame has been a testament to his resilience and ability to stay true to himself. He credits his success to a combination of talent, providence, and the ability to avoid the pitfalls that have claimed so many other stars. “There’s no higher blessing: You make people laugh, that’s more than anything. That’s more than making them dance, making them feel drama. To look around and see that all the good things that came in my life all came from making somebody laugh? That’s a beautiful feeling, man,” he concluded.
Source: The New York Times, PEOPLE, ET
