Hollywood legend Eddie Murphy has movingly discussed the profound loss of his older brother, Charlie Murphy, in the newly released Netflix documentary, Being Eddie.
A Brother's Legacy
The highly anticipated one-off special, which charts Murphy's meteoric rise to fame and enduring career, features surprising archive clips of Charlie Murphy reflecting on his sibling's early days in comedy. In one clip, Charlie recalled, "I can remember when my brother would go and he'd do a high school or he would go to Hofstra University. Little sets he was doing around the area and the ability to go in front of an audience and express yourself and make them laugh. That was really amazing to me that he had that power."
The documentary includes interviews with a host of celebrity guests such as Jamie Foxx, Pete Davidson, Kevin Hart, and Tracee Ellis Ross, but it is the personal family moments that provide some of the most poignant insights.
Remembering Charlie Murphy
Charlie Murphy passed away at the age of 57 in 2017 following a battle with leukaemia. Like his famous brother, Charlie was a gifted actor and comedian in his own right, known for his standout work on Dave Chappelle's Show and roles in films like Night at the Museum and Jungle Fever.
He also contributed to his brother's projects, with writing and supporting roles in several Eddie Murphy films, including Norbit, Harlem Nights, and Vampire in Brooklyn, the latter of which was co-written by their brother, Vernon Lynch.
Following his death, the Murphy family released a heartfelt statement expressing their grief: "Our hearts are heavy with the loss today of our son, brother, father, uncle and friend Charlie. Charlie filled our family with love and laughter and there won't be a day that goes by that his presence will not be missed."
Eddie's Emotional Tribute
In Being Eddie, the comedian opens up directly about his brother's passing. He remarked, "There's nobody like Charlie. Nobody was funnier there. And some of my biggest laughs in my life are Charlie. I miss my brother."
Murphy also shared his unique way of processing grief, explaining, "I have this thing with death and when people would pass away. Every now and then, a memory will pop up and I touch it and then I feel it, this stuff bubbling up. And then I'll go 'Oh OK'. I just touch little memories. I don't be going and wallowing in it."
The documentary Being Eddie is available to stream now on Netflix, offering an intimate look at the life and career of one of entertainment's most enduring stars, framed by the memory of a beloved brother.
