Eddie Murphy, a comedy legend and Hollywood icon, recently opened up about a pivotal moment in his career when he received unexpected yet insightful advice from the legendary Sidney Poitier. At the time, Murphy was contemplating a shift from comedy to drama, but Poitier’s response left him stunned.
In a candid conversation on Number One on the Call Sheet, Murphy shared how Poitier’s words influenced his decision-making process and ultimately guided his career trajectory.
Sidney Poitier’s Blunt but Wise Advice
Early in his career, Murphy had already cemented himself as a box-office sensation with hits like Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, and Trading Places. However, he was contemplating taking on his first serious dramatic role. The opportunity came when filmmaker Norman Jewison was assembling a project based on The Autobiography of Malcolm X, written by Roots author Alex Haley. Murphy was approached to portray Haley, but before making a decision, he sought counsel from Poitier.
Recalling their conversation, Murphy said:
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“Somewhere around that time, I bumped into Sidney Poitier, and I asked him, ‘Yeah, I’m thinking about playing Alex Haley.’ And Sidney Poitier said [imitating Poitier’s Bahamian accent], ‘You are not Denzel, and you are not Morgan. You are a breath of fresh air. And don’t f*** with that.’ And I was like, ‘What?’”
For Murphy, Poitier’s words were both surprising and thought-provoking. Instead of seeing it as discouragement, Murphy took it as a reminder to stay true to what made him unique in Hollywood.
James Brown’s Unexpected Career and Financial Advice
Beyond Poitier, Murphy also received career-shaping advice from another legend: the Godfather of Soul, James Brown. Brown, who was famously impersonated by Murphy on Saturday Night Live, offered two surprising pieces of wisdom.
Firstly, Brown urged Murphy to clean up his act—literally. He suggested that Murphy remove profanity from his stand-up routines to build a longer-lasting career.
Murphy recalled, “James Brown told me, ‘You want to be in this business for a long time, you should stop that cursing.’”
But perhaps the most bizarre piece of advice from Brown came in the form of financial guidance. According to Murphy, Brown told him that no matter how much money he thought he had, he wasn’t truly rich until he took drastic measures to secure his wealth.
“He asked me, ‘You think you got a million dollars?’ I said, ‘Yeah, I do.’ And he said, ‘You ain’t got no million dollars.’ Then he told me, ‘If you do got millions of dollars, you take it and bury it in the woods,’” Murphy laughed.
Confused, Murphy pressed for clarification, asking, “Why bury my money in the woods?” To which Brown responded, “‘The government will take it from you. So bury it.’”
When Murphy pointed out that the government could seize land as well, Brown retorted, “‘But they won’t know where the money is.’”
Murphy admitted that while the advice seemed outlandish, it reflected a deep-rooted skepticism about financial institutions and government policies among many Black entertainers of Brown’s era.
Eddie Murphy: A Trailblazer in Uncharted Waters
Looking back, Murphy acknowledges that his meteoric rise in Hollywood as a young Black comedian and actor was uncharted territory. Unlike previous Black leading men like Poitier, his brand of humor and superstardom didn’t have a precedent in Hollywood.
“I was in uncharted waters,” Murphy said. “For Sidney and all those guys, when I showed up, it was something kind of new. They didn’t have a reference for me.”
Despite Poitier’s reservations, Murphy eventually did venture into drama. In 2006, he earned an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Dreamgirls, proving that he could indeed hold his own in serious roles.
What’s Next for Eddie Murphy?
Murphy, who remains a dominant force in Hollywood, has a packed slate of upcoming projects. Fans can look forward to the highly anticipated Beverly Hills Cop: Axel Foley, set to release on Netflix, alongside several other productions in development.
Additionally, Murphy will be the subject of a Netflix documentary set to premiere in 2025, offering an in-depth look at his career, personal life, and the impact he’s had on the entertainment industry.
Meanwhile, Number One on the Call Sheet, the documentary in which Murphy shared these incredible stories, premieres on March 28 on Apple TV+. The film highlights the experiences of Black actors and filmmakers in Hollywood, shedding light on the industry’s evolution.
Final Thoughts: Lessons from Legends
Murphy’s encounters with Poitier and Brown highlight the invaluable wisdom that veteran entertainers pass down to the next generation. While their advice may have been unconventional, it undeniably shaped Murphy’s journey to becoming one of Hollywood’s most beloved figures.
From staying true to his comedic roots to navigating financial pitfalls, Murphy’s career is a testament to perseverance, authenticity, and learning from the greats who came before him.
