Edward Regan Murphy (born April 3, 1961) is an American actor, comedian, and singer. He had his breakthrough as a standup comic before gaining stardom as a movie star and he is widely recognized as one of the greatest … See more

Murphy was born in Brooklyn, New York City, and raised in the borough's Bushwick neighborhood. His mother, Lillian Murphy (née Laney, later Murphy Lynch), was a telephone operator, … See more

Murphy has cited as influences Bill Cosby, and Richard Pryor. Comedians who cite Murphy as influencing them include Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, Martin Lawrence, and See more

• How Could It Be (1985)
• So Happy (1989)
• Love's Alright (1993) See more

1976–1980: Early standup career
When Murphy was fifteen, he listened to Richard Pryor's comedy album That Nigger's Crazy, … See more

Relationships and children
Murphy had two sons in quick succession around the end of the 1980s: Eric (born c. 1989), with then-girlfriend Paulette McNeely; and … See more

Selected filmography:
• 48 Hrs. (1982)
• Trading Places (1983)
• Beverly Hills Cop (1984)
• The Golden Child (1986) See more