Hollywood icon Eddie Murphy is to be honoured with one of the film industry's most distinguished accolades, the Life Achievement Award from the American Film Institute (AFI).
A Trailblazing Career Celebrated
The AFI's board of trustees made the formal announcement on Friday, revealing that the award will be presented at a glittering gala tribute in Los Angeles. The ceremony is scheduled for April 18 at the renowned Dolby Theatre.
Kathleen Kennedy, the chair of the institute's board of trustees, led the praise for the 64-year-old entertainer. She described Murphy as "an American icon" and a "trailblazing force" whose versatility knows no bounds across film, television, and stand-up comedy.
Nearly Five Decades of Entertainment Dominance
Murphy's formidable influence on popular culture spans nearly 50 years. He first captured public attention as a teenage stand-up sensation before becoming a breakout star on "Saturday Night Live".
His film career has seen him command the box office across multiple decades with a string of iconic hits. These include the "Beverly Hills Cop" series, "Coming to America", "The Nutty Professor", and his voice work in the hugely successful "Shrek" franchise.
In 2007, his performance in "Dreamgirls" earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, a role for which he had already secured a Golden Globe and a Screen Actors Guild award.
Murphy's Candid Perspective on Fame and Awards
A new documentary, "Being Eddie", currently available on Netflix, offers a candid look into his life and career. In it, Murphy reflects on his Oscar loss with characteristic humour, revealing he was more bothered about wearing a tuxedo and attending the ceremony than about not winning.
"It's always wonderful to win stuff, but if I don't win, I don't give a..." Murphy remarked, before adding, "I'm still Eddie in the morning."
This award follows his receipt of the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the 2023 Golden Globes, where he delivered a notably brief two-minute speech. In a 2021 interview with The Associated Press, Murphy shared that his perspective has matured since his early fame.
"You take everything for granted when you're young, how successful I was," he said. "Now I take nothing for granted and appreciate everything."
The AFI Life Achievement Award is a hallmark of cinematic excellence. Murphy becomes its 51st recipient since the award was inaugurated in 1973 for director John Ford. He joins a prestigious list of recent honourees that includes Nicole Kidman, Julie Andrews, and Denzel Washington.
