He goes ALL the way–and at times too far; but none can deny that Eddie Murphy travels full-throttle into character-land, more so than most.
Perhaps his Gumbied-SNL roots taught him half-way wasn’t good enough; or maybe he’s one of those actors who stealthily channel multiple personality disorder into craft.
Spanning outlandish to scandalous, his characters have inspired a range of reaction: from earning him an Oscar nom to public floggings by the critics.
So with Meet Dave‘s arrival, we whittled it down to 10 of the most eye-widening ones in this chameleon’s secret garden of absurd characters–beginning with “Eddie Murphy in Eddie Murphy.”
10. Meet Dave
There’s the robotic, anti-social wacky spaceship version and 100 mini-me, look-alike companions in this tale about a “man” who turns out to be a spaceship operated by 100 quarter-inch tall human-looking aliens seeking a way to save their planet. Complications ensue when their captain falls in love. And once again, Eddie gets to play multiple selves.
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Norbit (2007)
9. Meet Mr. Wong & Norbit
Funny thing how Mr. Wong and Norbit bear an uncanny resemblance. Oh yeah, right–that’s because both of ’em are Eddie. But let’s instead pretend it’s because they’re father and son; well sort of–ever since Norbit was abandoned as a baby on the steps of a Chinese restaurant and raised by surrogate dad Wong. In the 2006 controversial comedy, Murphy‘s nebbish Norbit and his retro ‘fro make a memorable pair. As well, edgy yet sublime, thickly-accented yet sorta dignified, Mr. Wong pushes the envelope with Eddie‘s signature racial humor–but hey, when Katharine Hepburn did it in Dragon Seed and got an Oscar nom, no one batted an eye–back then.
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Norbit (2007)
8. Meet Raputia
Ooof, this crude, obese, domineering, explosively stereotypical D-cup diva with a romantic streak caused the NAACP–and a legion of black folk–lots of woe! Although, it had folks laughing in the aisles to the tune of $95,323,496 at the box office. Why why Eddie, did you take things 100 years backwards? And furthermore have your love interest–in contrast–be the svelte, honey-hued, sweetie-pie Thandie Newton. Then again, behind closed doors, even I must admit, Norbit‘s Rasputia is sorta laugh-out-FUNNY! It’s sort of like mainstream porn, you don’t want to be caught looking at–and that you hope no children and impressionable folks have access to… Yeah Eddie, we saw you scowl in the audience, just a tad, when you didn’t nab that Dreamgirls Oscar win, the very same month Rasputia’s alarming image was plastered over every billboard, in an unbecoming fuchsia thong-nighty, squashing innocent Norbit…Isn’t karma a b%tch though?
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Bowfinger (1999)
7. Meet “Jiff Ramsey”
Kit Ramsey (Eddie Murphy) might be the biggest star, but Jiff Ramsey (also Murphy) is the biggest nerd–in fact a turbo nerd. And he’s a perfect fit for desperate aspiring filmmaker Bobby Bowfinger’s (Steve Martin‘s) scheme in which he’s tricking Hollywood’s biggest A-lister, Kit, into starring in his sham of a low-budget movie with Jiff, his clueless brother doubling-up. Jiff’s braces, ever-gaping smile–and willingness to cross deadly freeways when the director calls “Action!”–wins us over as being one of Eddie‘s finest faces.
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Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (1996)
6. Meet the “Nutty Professor” & the “Klump” clan (Sherman, Granny, Mama, Papa, Young Papa and Ernie)
“Sheer genius” and a “return to form” is what many critics and fans alike called the showcase of characters that Murphy brought to life in the Nutty Professor sequels. Inspired and based on the characters originated by one of Murphy’s comedic heroes, Jerry Lewis in the 1963 Nutty Professor film, the raucous comedy sequel is a continued story which follows the mishap adventures of brilliant, neurotic, over-weight biochemist Sherman Klump whose svelte, confident alternate personality, Buddy Love, is interfering in his plans to marry his lovely colleague, Denise (Janet Jackson). Not as highly praised as the first installment, this more ‘vulger’ version still packed an impressive punch: namely $123,307,945 at the box office. Kudos, also, to make-up and cinematography!
Sorry, we know they’re several characters, but we had to lump all of the Klumps into one number–if not, this feature would’ve been a little too short..and we had to show Murphy‘s other master-of-disguise flicks!
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Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (1996)
5. Meet Ida Mae “Granny” Jensen
Well, okay–we had to highlight one Klump–and certainly the most bawdy, Murphy‘s character Granny sets the record straight that there was solid cross-dressing in urban comedies, before the likes of Tyler Perry‘s gun-toting Madea hit the circuit. Clutch the pearls, we’ve caught Granny in a major gossip moment. Just like many a senior her age, she may love to listen–but has plenty to say–regardless if you like it or not. We’ll remind you of one of her more famous quotes that still circulates in the fans-of-Eddie-world: “Don’t give me none o’ them mashed potatoes, you know mashed potatoes give me gas!” Enough said.
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Dreamgirls (2006)
4. Meet “Thunder”
A combo of Little Richard, Marvin Gaye and Ike Turner all coked-up and rolled-up in one, Eddie, turned up to volume 10, displays he can sing and out-perform the best at the game in his Oscar-nominated supporting role as a fictionalized ’60s R&B, pop star James “Thunder” Early in Bill Condon‘s 2006 Dreamgirls… Yes, the man can “sing” for the masses. In fact, for all you ’80s whores, are you starting to hear flashbacks of Eddie Murphy‘s chart-topping repetitive song, “Party All the Time”–personally one of my favorite, guily pleasure moments on YouTube. [PAGEBREAK]
Shrek (Sequels: 2001; 2004; 2007)
3. Meet “Donkey”
Dumb ass to play an “urban-accented” donkey–not really, as Eddie‘s attachment to Dreamworks’ Shrek team brought into animated blockbuster heaven. The sardonic, talkative, gap-toothed donkey also bears an uncanny resemblance to Murphy. We don’t think Eddie would mind us noting that, as he did voluntarily sign-on, besides we have a feeling this comedian can gets a rise out of laughing at ‘himself’. You may consider this entry “cheating” to add to our list, but we defy you knowing that Shrek’s faithful BFF, the Donkey, is definitely too V.I.P to be left off the list. [PAGEBREAK]
Vampire in Brooklyn (1995)
2. Meet “Maximillian”
One of the classic examples of a mullet-meets-a-Jheri-curl, Eddie Murphy and his hair rock the screen in this D-level, spoof on the Vampire genre in which Eddie dons an Brooklyn-Caribbean-Transylvanian accent and some smooth moves to seduce a taught-faced, hot-wire Angela Basset. Yes, the last of his kind desperately in search of a soulmate, he “vants to suck your blahhhd!” Aside from Maximillian, he plays two other roles as Preacher Pauly and Guido, but the movie is so, um, hard to watch in one sitting–you may miss that this is one of his earlier occasions of playing more than one role in a given film. It may take three sittings, but it’s worth it if you can get to the end.
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Coming to America (1988)
1. Meet “Prince Akeem”
Bringing the capital “D” back to dignity, well sort of, Murphy‘s timely satire brought a fresh, highbrow face to the wave of comedic, 1980s Afro-centric, urban tales. While some Africans might’ve left the theaters pissed, for Americans Akeem struck a balance–and a cord with both black and white audiences. With perfectly manicured facial hair and a precisely coiffed cropped ‘fro topped by a bejeweled crown, the arrogant, worldly Prince Akeem could serve-up the insults effortlessly and thoughtlessly–part of his burning aristocratic charm. As always, Eddie showcases-out with playing two leads at once–with a few cameos thrown in there. All in all, he’s: Prince Akeem/Clarence/Randy Watson–and how can we forget, Saul.
