American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, singer, director, and musician, Eddie Murphy, has an estimated net worth of $85 million.

Hailed as one of the most talented, versatile and influential comedian actor of the 1980s, Eddie Murphy serves as an inspiration to a number of African-American comedians including Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, Dave Chappelle and Jamie Foxx just as he was inspired by the famous Redd Foxx and Richard Pryor. He became the first global superstar of Hollywood after the airing of “48 Hrs. in 1982, “Trading Places” in 1983 and “Beverly Hills Cop” in 1984. 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 at the Sunset Boulevard in 1997. His career rose again to fame when he became a voice actor in Shrek and its 3 sequels. “Norbit” and “Meet Dave” have not been a success but his musical “Dreamgirls” in 1996 has been an absolute success. Despite his failures in the industry, Eddie Murphy is one of the most fortunate actors who can take back his prominence after some time.

Eddie Murphy, Edward Regan Murphy in real life, was born to Charles Murphy, a NY City police officer, and his wife Lillian on April 3, 1961. His parents were divorced and her mother married a foreman at the Breyer’s Ice Cream Plant, Vernon Lynch. Even as a young child, Eddie is seen to be an intelligent child who spend most of his time watching cartoons and old movies.  Also, he has passion for entertaining people, especially friends and family.  Most of his repertoires in the past include scatological raps, mock church sermons and celebrity impersonations.

His first taste of being a celebrity took place in the Roosevelt Junior-Senior High School. In school, Murphy spent most of his time cracking jokes instead of studying. He was sent to the principal’s office for several times nevertheless, he was loved by his teachers and fellow students. He possessed an extraordinary wit and charm which won him the “Most Popular Student” award twice. At 15, he began performing in youth centers, school talent shows and local comedy clubs.  At 18, he became a professional performer in dive bars and comedy clubs around New York. He got a chance booking at the Comic Strip Live comedy which made his career rose to fame.

Murphy continued with his stand-up acts in clubs which earned him a great deal of respect from his peers.  In 1980, he joined the cast of “Saturday Night Live”. It could have been a golden opportunity for everyone to join in the show, however, for Murphy, it wasn’t just a good timing. The show has once been considered a cutting-edge and progressive, but by the time Murphy joined the show, it has already lost its appeal to the viewing public. To make things worst, by the end of the show’s fifth season, there has been a heap exodus of talent which includes the creator-executive producer Lorne Michaels and head writer Michael O'Donoghue.

Earnings & Financial Data