Eddie Murphy has revealed the surprising secret behind his remarkable comedy career spanning more than four decades: a conscious decision to avoid hard drugs and excessive alcohol.
The Percocet Prescription That Changed Everything
The 64-year-old Oscar nominee recently told Collider that while he occasionally smoked weed, he never developed an interest in harder substances. His only experience with prescription painkillers came during his twenties following a dental visit. 'I had one time in my 20s where I went to the dentist, and the dentist gave me Percocet,' Murphy recalled.
The comedy legend described sitting at his dining room table and remarking how good he felt, only for an employee to attribute the sensation to the pain medication. 'I finished that prescription,' Murphy admitted, though this experience would soon lead to an unexpected turning point.
The Comedy Store Encounter That Ended It All
Murphy can pinpoint the exact moment he decided to abandon painkillers, thanks to an unlikely intervention from fellow comedian Pauly Shore. The incident occurred at Los Angeles' famous Comedy Store, where Murphy had taken a Percocet and smoked a joint.
'He was like, "Hey, you don't even look like yourself tonight,"' Murphy recalled of Shore's approach. When Murphy asked who he resembled instead, Shore simply replied 'Some other dude!' before walking away.
The comment struck a chord with Murphy, who immediately decided: 'Hey, I'm not f***ing with this no more.' He laughed while recounting the story, noting that Shore remains unaware of his impact.
Looking Ahead: New Roles and Possible SNL Return
Murphy's career continues to flourish as he prepares to receive the prestigious AFI Life Achievement Award during a gala tribute at Hollywood's Dolby Theatre on April 18.
The Brooklyn-born actor is developing several exciting projects, including a biopic about Parliament-Funkadelic founder George Clinton and taking over Peter Sellers' iconic role as Inspector Clouseau in The Pink Panther remake. 'It's like a hard left,' Murphy marveled at the contrast between these characters.
Murphy also confirmed he'd 'absolutely' return to host Saturday Night Live again, following his Emmy-winning 2020 appearance. 'SNL is part of the culture,' he gushed. 'I feel like a part of it is home.'
Additional upcoming projects include Kyle Newacheck's undead comedy Playas Ball, Jerry Bruckheimer's Beverly Hills Cop 5, and reprising his role as Donkey in Shrek 5, scheduled for 2027.
