The legendary comedian, now 62, opened up on 360 With Speedy about the backlash surrounding his 2007 comedy Norbit, a movie he co-wrote with his late brother Charlie Murphy. While the film was panned by critics and earned multiple Razzie nominations, Murphy insists the hate was exaggerated — and maybe even personal.
“I love Norbit,” Murphy told host Speedy Morman. “We think Norbit is funny. They was just hating on a n***a.”
The Timing of the Backlash
Norbit hit theaters in February 2007 — just weeks after Murphy received his first-ever Oscar nomination for Dreamgirls. Many critics at the time questioned whether his comedic resume “undermined” the seriousness of the nomination, with some even suggesting the film’s release hurt his chances of winning.
Murphy, however, isn’t losing any sleep over it.
“Come on now, that sh*t ain’t that bad,” he said of the Razzie nominations for Worst Actor, Worst Actress, and even Worst Actor of the Decade. “They was just hating.”
Why Eddie Still Loves Norbit
Despite its brutal reviews, Norbit grossed nearly $160 million worldwide and remains a fan-favorite among many of Murphy’s supporters. For the comedian, the project holds sentimental value — not just as a creative endeavor, but as a final collaboration with his brother Charlie before his passing in 2017.
“It’s something I wrote with my brother. We think it’s funny,” Murphy said, adding that he’s proud of the work, regardless of what critics think.
On His Real Legacy: “It’s Not My Career”
Later in the interview, the conversation shifted from movie reviews to the meaning of legacy. Murphy’s answer had nothing to do with his decades-spanning career, blockbuster hits, or box office records.
“Like, this is what I do to make a living. It’s not my legacy,” Murphy explained. “My legacy is… that I produced these wonderful, well-balanced human beings.”
The Beverly Hills Cop star beamed as he spoke about his 10 children, calling them his proudest achievement.
“All my kids are really good people, and that’s my legacy. I got these great kids that I produced.”
Meet Eddie Murphy’s 10 Children
Murphy’s family is as star-studded and diverse as his career:
- Eric Murphy — with Paulette McNeely
- Christian Murphy — with Tamara Hood
- Bria, Myles, Shayne, Zola, and Bella Murphy — with ex-wife Nicole Mitchell Murphy
- Angel Iris Murphy Brown — with Spice Girls’ Mel B
- Izzy Oona Murphy and Max Charles Murphy — with current wife Paige Butcher
Eddie’s Career at a Glance
From Saturday Night Live to Coming to America, Shrek, and Beverly Hills Cop, Eddie Murphy has spent over four decades making audiences laugh — and occasionally cry. Even with a few box office misfires (Norbit, The Adventures of Pluto Nash), his cultural impact is undeniable.
With Netflix projects, a Beverly Hills Cop 4 sequel on the way, and an enduring fanbase, Murphy shows no signs of slowing down — and no regrets about the movies that critics love to hate.
Do you agree with Eddie — was the Norbit backlash just “hate,” or did critics have a point? Drop your take in the comments and keep it locked to The Pop Radar for more celebrity deep dives.