Eddie Murphy is an acclaimed American actor, comedian, producer, and singer with an estimated net worth of $200 million.
He first rose to fame on Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s and starred in hugely successful comedy films, including 48 Hrs., Trading Places, Beverly Hills Cop, The Nutty Professor, Dr. Dolittle, and Shrek.
Eddie Murphy Net Worth
Eddie Murphy has built an immense fortune over his long and varied career. With over $6.7 billion in worldwide box office receipts, Murphy has commanded massive movie salaries. However, Eddie Murphy has an estimated net worth of around $200 million as of 2023.
His peak earning years came in the late 1990s and 2000s when he earned $20 million per film on movies like The Nutty Professor, Dr. Dolittle, Mulan, and the Shrek series. He also earned percentage points on the backend profits for many films, amounting to tens of millions per movie in some cases. However, Murphy’s films have grossed nearly $7 billion.
Murphy owns real estate in Hollywood Hills, New Jersey, Long Island, and Roxbury, Connecticut, valued at over $100 million. His former Granite Bay estate sold for $18.5 million. He co-founded Eddie Murphy Productions, earning income as a producer and profit participant.
Early Life and Education
Eddie Murphy was born in Brooklyn, New York in 1961. His mother was a telephone operator, and his father was a transit police officer and amateur comedian. Murphy exhibited a talent for comedy at a young age, influenced by his father and grownup comedians like Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx. He started performing standup routines at age 15, telling jokes in bars to patrons.
Murphy attended Roosevelt Junior-Senior High School, but his grades suffered due to his focus on comedy. By age 19, he had worked his way onto the national comedy stage and was cast on Saturday Night Live, making his film debut in 48 Hrs. At 21 years old while still a cast member on SNL.
Career Beginnings and Rise to Fame
Murphy became famous in the early 1980s as an edgy, wisecracking cast member and writer on Saturday Night Live. Some of his memorable characters included a grownup version of the Little Rascals character Buckwheat. Parlaying his success on SNL to film, Murphy starred alongside Nick Nolte in 48 Hrs., which proved to be a central box office hit.
In the years that followed, Murphy starred in a string of successful comedies that cemented him as one of the top comedic actors of his era. These movies included Trading Places with Dan Aykroyd, Beverly Hills Cop, and its sequels, The Nutty Professor films, Dr. Dolittle and its sequels, and voice work as Donkey in the Shrek animated features. His comedy and performances blended humor, heart, and music, appealing to broad audiences.
Sources of Income
Eddie Murphy attributed his impressive net worth to his prolific acting career. His most financially successful films include Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, Nutty Professor, Dr. Dolittle, Shrek, and Dreamgirls. He reportedly earned $20 million alone for 1996’s The Nutty Professor.
However, Murphy has negotiated lucrative backend deals, taking a cut of the profits on many movies. For films like Coming to America, Beverly Hills Cop, and Shrek, these backend points have brought in tens of millions from his stake in long-term revenues over the years. The Coming to America sequel garnered him $13 million directly from streaming royalties decades later.
Personal Life and Relationships
Eddie Murphy has had a colorful and sometimes tumultuous personal life covered extensively in the media. He has been romantically linked to many high-profile women and has a large family with multiple children.
In 1993, Murphy married Nicole Mitchell, with whom he had five children – Bria, Myles, Shayne, Zola, and Bella. They divorced in 2006 after a 13-year marriage. During a period of separation from Nicole in 1997, Murphy had a brief relationship with former Spice Girl Melanie Brown, which resulted in a daughter named Angel.
In 2012, Murphy began a relationship with model Paige Butcher, 18 years his junior. They married in 2015 and have two children together – Izzy and Max. Murphy has expressed contentment with his family life as a father to ten kids ranging in age from 2 to 32 years old.
Murphy has faced paternity suits at times and has preferred to keep many of his romantic relationships private over his career.
Business Ventures
Murphy has invested in real estate, and a film production company called Eddie Murphy Productions. Some films produced under this company include Vampire in Brooklyn, Life, and Bowfinger. Murphy also launched a successful career in music in the late 1980s and early 1990s, releasing several hit songs like “Party All the Time.”
However, Murphy has a nearly 50-year career across comedy, film, television, music, and business. That has made him one of the most commercially successful entertainers ever. Also, he has recently kept some distance from the public spotlight. His films and comedy work remain hugely popular among critics and fans.
Notable Achievements and Awards
Eddie Murphy has attained extraordinary success since his early breakout on Saturday Night Live. Hits like 48 Hrs, Trading Places, Beverly Hills Cop, The Nutty Professor, Dr. Dolittle, Shrek, and more have grossed nearly $7 billion worldwide – cementing Murphy as one of the highest-grossing actors ever.
He earned $20 million per film at his peak while negotiating backend profit participation worth tens of millions. In 2006, Murphy delivered a critically acclaimed performance in Dreamgirls, showing off his dramatic chops. He won the Golden Globe for Best Supporting Actor and earned an Oscar nomination, proving his versatility spans comedy and drama.
After years away from the public eye, Murphy returned to Saturday Night Live in 2019 to the delight of fans. He eventually struck an exclusive deal with Netflix for new standup specials, Coming 2 America, and other potential comedy films.
Challenges and Controversies
Eddie Murphy’s time in the spotlight has included some controversies and career challenges.
In the early 1990s, his film career hit a slump with box office disappointments like Boomerang, The Distinguished Gentleman, and Holy Man during the mid-90s. While still bankable, some critics panned these films and declared his career was stalling from the earlier heights of Beverly Hills Cop and 48 Hrs.
His personal life also faced turbulence with two paternity suits and a high-profile divorce from Nicole Mitchell after a 13-year marriage that dominated tabloids. The divorce and child support settlements cost Murphy tens of millions.
Additionally, Murphy faced backlash early in his career for provocative humor that some considered homophobic or derogatory. When AIDS panic was at a peak in the 1980s, his standup routine drew criticism from activist groups like GLAAD. Murphy later apologized and said he regrets some of those early jokes.
FAQs on Eddie Murphy Net Worth
How did Eddie Murphy get his start in comedy?
Murphy got his start in comedy as a teenager performing stand up routines in clubs to impress older crowds. He eventually landed a spot on Saturday Night Live when he was just 19 years old.
What was Eddie Murphy’s breakthrough film?
Eddie Murphy’s breakthrough film role was as streetwise convict Reggie Hammond in 1982’s 48 Hrs. opposite Nick Nolte. The film was a central box office hit and helped launch Murphy to stardom.
How many films has Eddie Murphy starred in?
Eddie Murphy has starred in over 35 feature films that have globally grossed nearly $7 billion. His most famous films include Coming to America, Beverly Hills Cop, The Nutty Professor series, Dr. Dolittle series, and the Shrek movies.
Why did Eddie Murphy take a break from films?
Eddie Murphy was hugely popular in the 1980s and 1990s. He intentionally took breaks from the spotlight later in his career to focus on family. He’s been selective about roles in recent decades. Sometimes, he goes years between films before his comeback with the sequel Coming 2 America.
Final Thoughts
Eddie Murphy is an entertainment legend known for his trailblazing comedy and exceptional film career. With unparalleled success, Murphy has built an enduring crossover appeal. His career has cemented his status as a pop culture icon able to pack theater for comedy and family-friendly roles.
Though he has taken breaks from the public eye and weathered some controversies, Murphy’s net worth is $200 million.
