Eddie Murphy was awarded the American Film Institute Life Achievement Award. This award is given to artists who have made a lasting impact on the film industry. Murphy’s career spans decades, from his rise as a “Saturday Night Live star” to his appearances in box office hits. His influence, reinvention and lasting cultural impact spans decades. Eddie Murphy’s Special moment ZUMAPRESS.com/MEGA On April 18, entertainers gathered in Los Angeles at the Dolby Theater to celebrate Eddie Murphy’s career. He was awarded the AFI Life Achievement Award. The award is given to artists who “work has stood up to the test of time,” according to the organization. Murphy’s family, friends, and colleagues gave him a standing ovation when he walked up to the podium to accept his award. Murphy said, “I’m really filled up seeing my family, my beautiful wife and all of my kids. I also see all the different people that I worked with.” Spike Lee, the filmmaker, presented the award to Murphy. Also in attendance were Chris Rock and Martin Lawrence. Dave Chappelle, Bill Burr and Arsenio hall, Tracy Morgan and Kevin Hart. “This is an important moment. I wish you could feel and see what I am feeling. I almost cried. Murphy said, “I’m going backstage to cry.” Mike Myers Appeared as Shrek Mike Myers appeared as Shrek at Eddie Murphy’s AFI Lifetime Achievement Award tribute.
(via: @MattDentler) pic.twitter.com/VFig2lWdQe– DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) April 19, 2026 Mike Myers, Murphy’s longtime friend and co-star on the “Shrek” franchise, was among those who honored the comedian. Myers, dressed in a black suit and bowtie with swamp green makeup on his ears and a Shrek-like mask, took the stage with a few words to honor his friend. Myers said that Murphy’s Donkey character, which is the star of the franchise, was a “masterpiece”. He described the actor as “laughable, joyful, vulnerable, and faithful.” Eddie Murphy combines these qualities into a masterpiece, and he is simply one of the best. The first “Shrek”, released in 2001, has been followed by three more films. Murphy and Myers are set to reunite as Shrek in the fifth installment of the series, scheduled for release in 2027. Murphy confirmed to The Hollywood Reporter that a Donkey spinoff would be released in 2025. Dave Chappelle Called Eddie Murphy His Hero MEGA Comedian Dave Chappelle praised Murphy by saying that he was the last of the people he looked up too. “You were my hero… It was you and Prince, Michael Jackson, Rick James and Rick James. Chappelle said that all of them were deceased and you somehow survived. He revealed that as a teenager, he watched Murphy’s 1987 stand-up film “Raw”, daily after he got home from school. Chappelle revealed that he had visited Murphy shortly after his 65th Birthday on April 3, a sign of the depth of their friendship. The comedian had worked with Murphy’s late, Charlie Murphy on “The Chappelle Show,” but it was the first discussion between the two since Charlie died of leukemia in 2017. Murphy asked Chappelle to make a movie of “The Chappele Show.” It seems that Chappelle is open to the suggestion, but admits that it would be “tough” without Charlie. “So Eddie, if you do it, man do the Charlie parts, and let’s f*ck go,” said the comedian. Stevie Wonder Surprised the Audience with a Surprise Appearance The music legend Stevie Wonder surprised his audience by making an appearance. He shared that he learned about Murphy from his impersonation on “SNL”. “He made fun a blind man,” Wonder joked to the crowd. Eddie Murphy’s best impression of Wonder came in the 1982 “SNL’ sketch where he sang with Joe Piscopo, who played Frank Sinatra. In 1983, Murphy appeared with Wonder in a sketch where the former played an impersonator of Stevie Wonder who was coaching the real Stevie Wonder on how to impersonate him. Eddie Murphy’s Decades Long Career ZUMAPRESS.com/MEGA Murphy began his comedy career in his teens. His career took off when he was cast in “SNL” December 1980. In the years that followed, his stand-up specials helped him cement his reputation as one the best comedians in his generation. Murphy then moved into movies, appearing in “48 Hrs.,” ‘Beverly Hills Cop,’ “Coming to America”, “The Nutty Professor”, and the “Shrek “movies. The actor is known for his comedy skills, but he has also played serious roles, such as Jimmy “Thunder Early” in the film “Dreamgirls,” for which he received an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. Murphy has several projects in the works. These include a fifth installment of Beverly Hills Cop, the Donkey spinoff film, and producing George Clinton biopic. The 51st AFI Life Achievement Award, A Tribute To Eddie Murphy will be streamed on Netflix starting May 31. The Eddie Murphy Receives AFI’s Highest Honour first appeared on The Blast
