Eddie Murphy is the GOAT. He’s the GOAT of SNL; he’s the GOAT of Black comedy; he’s probably the GOAT of all comedy in general. Which means even other famous people get super weird when they are around him. Eric Andre just recently told a story about everyone acting weird around Eddie Murphy when he showed up at Ted Sarandos’ party. This is a real thing that happens. In fact, his in-law Martin Lawrence even has a story about this.

Opening up in a speech at Netflix’s Eddie Murphy AFI achievement, Martin Lawrence got real about the first time he met the former SNL star. It was well before his daughter married Murphy’s son. At the time, he was just sort of becoming a known name in Hollywood for the first time. So, he ended up in the same room with Murphy, who shot him down hard.

Eddie Murphy was already famous by the mid-eighties thanks to “Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood” and other infamous SNL sketches. He joined the show at only 19, and now he’s about to become a grandad, so he’s legitimately been famous for more than 45 years. Lawrence is just a few years younger than Murphy, but he didn’t become famous until Martin broke big in 1992, and by then the other comedian had already broken very big with leading man movie roles like Beverly Hills Cop and Coming to America.

These days, Martin Lawrence feels comfortable bothering the other comedian as much as he wants, and his playful comment is giving me trolling vibes in the best way.

Now, Martin Lawrence is no slouch in the comedy department, but it’s clear he feels Murphy is on a totally different level. He even literally said as much a few months ago ahead of their kids getting married. When asked who was making the toasts, he admitted it should be Eddie Murphy, both ‘cause he’s funnier and because the Bad Boys star was worried about getting emotional. It's unclear if he deferred to his buddy when it came time to pick up the check too.

Eric Andre is not unknown in Hollywood by any means. The Balls Up actor has a flourishing comedy career, leading his own self-titled show on Adult Swim for over a decade, and is now starring in the new Netflix movie Little Brother opposite John Cena, set to release on Netflix on June 26. However, no matter how famous you get, there is always that one person who will still leave you speechless. For Andre, that person was Eddie Murphy and, apparently, the Bad Trip actor bombed so bad in front of the SNL legend that he had to loop around the Ted Sarandos' house to try again

Apparently, according to Jimmy Kimmel, who interviewed Andre on Jimmy Kimmel Live! this week (as seen on YouTube), this has become somewhat of a famous story among comedians. As Andre tells it, the who’s who of comedy were invited to a party at the Netflix CEO’s house, and Eddie Murphy was there. Here was THE comedy legend, a savior of Saturday Night Live and the star behind classic comedy movies like Coming to America, The Nutty Professor and Beverly Hills Cop. So of course, Andre had to muster up the courage to introduce himself to Murphy, but stage fright got the best of him:

I can’t really blame Andre for being so starstruck. Murphy has been the blueprint for many comedians' dream. He was a stand out on Saturday Night Live and then immediately transitioned into a wildly successful comedy movie star, leading some of the best movies of the ‘80s, like Trading Places and 48 Hrs.

Listen, I get it. Even celebrities have their own idols they look up to. As a comedian though, you have one job, to perform under pressure. Something I’m sure Andre has learned from many years of stand up is that a laugh is not just given. You have to earn it, even if it means bombing and starting over again, which is exactly what the 2 Broke Girls actor boldly did:

This was the second chance of a lifetime, and with such a high-profile guest such as Murphy, there wasn’t going to be a third chance, at least not that same night. Thankfully, Andre felt a little more prepared this time around and, so when Letterman lofted him a set up, the Disenchantment actor dunked it:

Man, what an assist from the late night host! And, like any seasoned comedian, Andre nailed the punchline. It didn’t have to be this elaborate story or detailed joke. In the end, it was Andre’s natural charm and energy that won a laugh from Murphy, and I can imagine the Jackass Forever actor feeling on top of the world.

Perhaps we will even see Eddie Murphy and Eric Andre star in a movie together one day, and I hope that happens. But, until then, be sure to check out Little Brother with a Netflix subscription when it hits the streaming service on June 26.

Though the lineup of upcoming SNL guest hosts for Season 51 is dwindling, with just three more episodes to go, the show’s legacy will continue for years to come, likely with longest-running cast member Kenan Thompson leading the charge. The sketch comedy extraordinaire was one of many celebs on-hand to honor another Saturday Night Live giant, Eddie Murphy, who received 51st AFI Life Achievement Award during a gala event in Los Angeles.

During his tribute, Thompson gave credit to Murphy for blazing his trail as a 19-year-old joining SNL’s cast in 1980 and setting the precedent for others to do the same. Thompson didn’t need to break out his French accent as Jean K Jean for any false fanciness, and instead spoke from the heart (via THR), saying:

Which isn't to say that any young comedians in 2026 and beyond should be inspired to bring Gumby back as a relevant piece of comedy. But Kenan Thompson's point remains salient. Eddie Murphy's meteoric rise to fame in the 1980s remains impressive enough to be an inspiration for anyone in any career, in the sense that having heaping amounts of talent and confidence is often the winning combination.

Elsewhere, Thompson shared another reason why he's admired Murphy for so many years, pointing to how the Beverly Hills Cop vet can excel in roles beyond just the ones that put him on the map. As he put it:

As amusing as it would be to hear a 90-year-old Eddie Murphy delivering his former signature laugh, it only makes sense that he had to put that one in semi-retirement.

And sure, some of Murphy's evolving went haywire, with some projects not matching up at all with what audiences wanted from him. But he took those shots because he believed in the projects, and such disappointments led him to stretching his talents in roles for Dreamgirls, Dolemite Is My Name and more.

Someone else who praised Eddie Murphy's onscreen performances was fellow Saturday Night Live vet Tracy Morgan. Unsurprisingly, the Reggie Dinkins star pointed back to a meta moment, saying:

The line that made me laugh the most out of anything reported on, however, came from Eddie Murphy himself, who addressed his appreciation to AFI for giving him the lifetime achievement award while he's still young and dapper enough to accept it free from messing himself on the stage. As he put it oh-so-elequently:

Fans will get to see Murphy being honored when the AFI gala is available to stream via Netflix subscription later in the 2026 TV schedule. Until that happens, Saturday Night Live will return with a trio of new episodes on NBC when Olivia Rodrigo hits the stage on May 2.

In the pantheon of great Eddie Murphy movies, and there are a lot of them, one of the absolute best has to be Coming to America. It’s a hilarious movie, and one of Murphy's favorites of his own work. But actually making it was no joke for Eddie Murphy, who had a famously fraught relationship with director John Landis, one that apparently could have doomed the movie, had it not been for co-star Arsenio Hall.

Hall recently spoke with Esquire about his recently published memoir, in which he relays the story about the battle between Eddie Murphy and John Landis. Hall says he was in a hotel room in New York, apparently preparing for a threesome with two lady friends, when he received a call from the President of Paramount Pictures, who needed Hall to play peacemaker. Hall explained…

It's somewhat surprising these two men found themselves here, considering Murphy had fought to get Landis hired to direct the movie. Following the tragic and fatal accident on the set of Twilight Zone: The Movie, Landis had had some trouble finding work. Since the two had worked together on Trading Places, Murphy wanted to help him out.

Obviously a situation like this, where a film’s director and star are having issues, is bad news for any production. So understandably, the studio would want it dealt with immediately. It seems Arsenio was elected pacemaker, and despite his plans, he jumped in his car to go meet with Eddie, bringing with him something he hoped would mellow out the actor. Hall continued…

Murphy spoke with Rolling Stone about his altercation with Landis back in the ‘80s. While he says the two didn’t come to blows, they apparently did grab each other before Murphy stormed off. Hall attempted to get his friend to calm down by offering both alcohol and marijuana, despite the fact that Murphy never touched either substance. Hall said…

According to Hall, this wasn’t just a personality conflict. He said John Landis had decided to quit the movie as a result of what had happened. This obviously would have been a serious blow to the film and might have prevented it from ever being finished. Murphy was so upset that he tried alcohol for the first time in his life. Hall said...

Eddie Murphy has confirmed that this drink with Arsenio was the first alcohol he ever had. He apparently had more than one drink and ended up getting so sick that he never drank again.

According to Hall, it was after getting intoxicated that Murph said he had to get the movie back on track, and while Hall doesn’t know exactly what happened after that, the two men put aside their differences and finished Coming to America. They would ultimately work together again on Beverly Hills Cop III as well.

Speaking as a Gen Xer, I can confidently say that Coming to America is peak Eddie Murphy. The 1988 classic came out in a run of comedies from Murphy that included Trading Places, Beverly Hills Cop, and Boomerang, but it almost never got made at all. Paramount initially passed on the movie until Murphy made some critical changes that not only got the movie financed but also helped make it a box office success with an amazing, enduring legacy.

Arsenio Hall, who, in my opinion, was just as important as Murphy in making the movie as funny as it is, was recently asked about the film and why the studio didn't think it was good enough when it was initially pitched. Frankly, it's impossible to think of it without the changes, as it means some of the best characters, like the four old guys at the barber shop, including the Jewish guy, weren't part of the initial pitch.

It was also the first time Murphy played multiple characters in a movie, something he later became legendary for.

The Characters Were The Key

According to Murphy’s co-star, Coming To America, which you can stream with the AMC+ add-on to a Prime subscription, almost didn’t get greenlit. It was only thanks to a critical change, specifically adding characters like the barbers and the preacher (played by Hall), that sold Paramount on the movie. Hall recently told People:

Hall added that those notes included adding characters like Murphy played during his legendary time on Saturday Night Live. So, taking that to heart, Murphy added all the great characters we all love to quote, like the four guys at the barber shop, Hall’s Reverend Brown, and, of course, the great Randy Watson. Hall was excited, as you might expect, telling the magazine:

You certainly don’t see Hall’s nerves on the screen, as his Reverend Brown provides some of the funniest moments in the movie, and of course, his main character, Semmi, is just as funny as any other character in the movie, including all of Murphy’s. It’s rare to hear about the times a studio gives notes that actually worked out, but you can’t be mad at Paramount here, because there is no question that these characters make Coming to America one of the funniest movies of the 1980s, and really, of all time.

Over the last 50 years, Saturday Night Live has produced some of the biggest stars in the world of comedy. The original Not Ready For Primetime Players alone produced numerous movie stars. One member of that group who is often overlooked, however, is Garrett Morris. He was the only Black member of the cast when Saturday Night Live debuted, but 50 years later, he clearly understands just what kind of an impact he had on those who came after him.

In a recent conversation with People, Garrett Morris talked about his experience of being cast on Saturday Night Live originally, following a performance in the movie Cooley High, which Lorene Michaels had apparently seen at the urging of other members of the SNL cast. It led to him breaking new ground on the show, which led to him inspiring multiple generations of Black comedians that came after him. Morris said:

Garret Morris did some great work on Saturday Night Live, and he had a solid career when he left the show, but he never became a star on the level of Chevy Chase or Dan Aykroyd. It’s certainly possible that Morris himself had not previously understood the impact he had.

Morris left SNL in 1980. Eddie Murphy would then join the cast the same year. It’s not difficult to draw a line between the two comedians. Murphy would be followed by the likes of Chris Rock and Tracey Morgan. According to Morris, when he saw each of them at the SNL 50 event, they said something that made him realize what an impact he had. Morris said:

Garrett Morris has been open about the fact that being part of the Saturday Night Live cast at the beginning wasn’t easy. He has talked about the racism that he experienced, including having writers on the show who he says refused to write anything for him. Considering that, it must have been wonderful to have people who Morris clearly respects tell him how important he was to them.

It's great to see that a talent like Garrett Morris is being told what an impact he had. He paved the way for those other stars while being an incredibly funny comedian himself. Any comedy fan owes the man a great debt.

In 2021, fans had humorously sweet thoughts to share after it was revealed that Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy’s kids were in a relationship. Eric Murphy and Jasmin Lawrence eventually tied the knot in 2025, with Eddie confirming that the pair opted for a small ceremony in a church as opposed to a big wedding bankrolled by him or Martin. All the while, fans have been wondering whether Jasmin and Eric will have kids or even a “comedy super-baby.” Well, the two are now expecting, and we have some details.

When Did Eric Murphy And Jasmin Lawrence Announce Her Pregnancy?

Murphy and Martin revealed earlier in February that they were expecting their first child. The announcement came courtesy of an Instagram post that was jointly shared to both the expectant mom and dad’s accounts. The post included some sweet maternity photos, which they credited to Willie T, and they also dropped a brief caption: “Thank you Jesus for the greatest gift”. Check out the post below to see the images:

Although I don’t have children myself, I’d imagine that it’s an exciting time when a couple prepares to welcome their first kid. And, as happy as Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy’s kids are, fans also seem to be just as, if not more, pumped. The comments section of the thread is filled with positive messages, and it’s lovely to see. When Jasmin and Eric dropped those photos weeks ago, they didn’t reveal the sex of their child. Yet they’ve since revealed that news and more.

What Are Jasmin Lawrence And Eric Murphy Having, And What Will They Be Named?

Recent photos and videos shared to social media revealed that Murphy and Lawrence had a baby shower. Lawrence shared a few pictures along with some clips to her Instagram stories and retweeted posts from loved ones. In her own video post, which was captured by People, Lawrence not only confirmed she and her hubby were expecting a girl but also revealed what her name will be:

That’s a sweet name, and I love just how excited Jasmin Lawrence is to become a mom. While sharing posts on Instagram, Lawrence also reposted a photo from one of her guests, Taylor Finney, which shows the two of them alongside Murphy. Check it out:

A since-expired post also showed Martin Lawrence embracing his daughter in a sweet photo taken at the shower. From outside looking in, it feels as though Lawrence and Eddie Murphy are looking forward to the new baby.

Eddie Murphy Shared A Funny Take On Eric Having A Kid With Jasmin Lawrence

Some people may laugh, but there really have been fans who’ve been wondering whether the Murphy/Lawrence baby could end up being incredibly funny. Eddie Murphy commented on that possibility even before his son exchanged vows with Martin’s daughter. When the Beverly Hills Cop star broached the topic in 2024, he said:

Following Eric and Jasmin’s eventual engagement, it was particularly funny to hear their dads talk about their nuptials and joke about who would be paying for it. Aside from the potential cost of the wedding, though, Martin also suggested that Eddie give the toast at the wedding, saying he’s “funnier” than he is. While none of that came to pass, the two dads haven’t seemed displeased over how everything turned out.

I personally couldn’t be happier for the Murphy and Lawrence families, as they await the arrival of their latest addition. Here’s wishing the best to Jasmin and Eric on the arrival of their bundle of joy.

At this point, Katt Williams is well known for dishing out alleged information about celebrities. The comedian most notably made headlines in early 2024 for sharing claims regarding a plethora of notable stars during an interview on Shannon Sharpe’s Club Shay Shay. That conversation (which has even been parodied by SNL) came up again during another recent interview Williams had. It was also during that chat that Williams implied he had some dirt on Hollywood mega stars Will Smith and Eddie Murphy.

Williams’ tendency to discuss other celebrities came up during his chat with BigBoyTV. When asked if he assumed ahead of time that his interview with Sharpe would become a viral hit amassing more than 90 million views, the First Sunday alum admitted to being confident in that being the case. Williams said he aimed to “make the most out of the opportunity.” The comic’s plan was to “do the maximum amount of damage possible.”

Despite that, Williams also added that “the knockout punches were taken out just leaving the jabs so that whoever I talked about I didn’t completely blow their spot up”. Comments Williams shared later in this latest conversation (which is on YouTube), though, suggest he had more he could’ve said about at least two more A-listers. When summing up the notion of having inside knowledge on stars, Williams explained:

Of course, because Katt Williams didn’t get into specifics, it’s far from clear what he might be referring to when it comes to Murphy and Smith. Both of the two aforementioned stars have found themselves at the center of the rumor mill for one reason or another over the years. Certain pieces of speculation swirled around Smith’s marriage to wife Jada Pinkett Smith (who he’s now separated from). More recently, insiders claimed Murphy kept notable elements of his life out of his eponymous documentary, Eddie, which is now streamable with a Netflix subscription.

While Murphy and Smith didn’t become major topics of discussion during that Club Shay Shay interview, a plethora of other stars did. Katt Williams referred to Kevin Hart as an “industry plant,” while he accused Cedric the Entertainer and Steve Harvey of plagiarizing the work of their peers. Although Williams said he was “not scared” to speak out, he also acknowledged that some people felt hurt. He specifically recalled a conversation he had with Dave Chappelle involving illiteracy claims he made about fellow comedian Earthquake:

Williams discussed a myriad of topics during this interview, even recalling what it was like seeing people leave the notorious Diddy parties during the early aughts. It doesn’t feel like Williams is going to stop dropping claims as time goes on and, with that, it’s hard not to wonder whether he’ll end up saying anything specific about Smith, Murphy or others down the line.

Eddie Murphy is arguably one of the biggest comedians ever. Before making an impact on Saturday Night Live, he was building a reputation for himself with an early stand-up career, and continued to do stand-up comedy during his SNL time. Murphy has now aimed his focus towards his movie career and family, but would he ever want to return to stand-up comedy? He has one condition.

The Beverly Hills Cop franchise star's documentary, Being Eddie, is available with a Netflix subscription. It highlighted his career, including his early comedy days. Murphy admitted to ET that originally, the documentary came about because he was thinking about doing stand-up again. They were all coming up with ideas, but then the pandemic hit, and the plans were scrapped. They kept shooting the documentary, and his mind was changing about going out there and telling jokes. Fast forward to the documentary now being out. Where does Murphy stand on doing stand-up?

Considering Murphy is one of the funniest actors out there, it’s hard to imagine him being worried about being funny since it seems so effortless for him. However, it being fun for him is also a big factor, which is understandable. Having to do stand-up just to do it is one thing, but wanting to do it and making sure it’s a good time is truly the most important part for him:

Whether or not Eddie Murphy will ever actually go back to stand-up is hard to tell, but he seems to be interested in it, which is a good sign. Of course, he is pretty busy, so it’s possible that if he chooses to do stand-up, it might just be a one-time thing, a very brief tour, or perhaps another stand-up special. If anything, stand-up comedy has not left his mind.

Meanwhile, Murphy is staying plenty busy. He starred in The Pickup last year. He also did SNL50: The Anniversary Special, and even as a legend himself, he was still in awe of the people who were in attendance. Murphy is set to reprise his voice role of Donkey in the long-awaited Shrek 5, releasing in theaters in 2027. According to his IMDb, he has another six projects in the works, including an untitled George Clinton biopic, in which he will portray the funk legend.

Murphy’s stand-up career may be in his rearview mirror for now, but there’s always the possibility that he’ll make a comeback in the future. Fans will have to settle for the many projects that he has in the works and all the projects he’s already done. By the time you get through every single one, perhaps he’ll have made a return to stand-up.

Despite Saturday Night Live seeing multiple departures for Season 51, its longest-tenured cast member is still kicking. Kenan Thompson joined the series in 2003, meaning he is entering his 23^rd year on the program that's airing its 51st season on the 2026 TV schedule. He doesn’t seem to be eager to leave, either. However, even considering his SNL career, Thompson still gets star-struck when it comes to working with some of the show's greats who came before him, such as Eddie Murphy and Will Ferrell (and his booty shorts).

SNL’s three-hour 50^th anniversary celebration special last year brought out the big guns, with dozens of past cast members, hosts, and musical guests, bringing back plenty of old fan-favorite sketches. One of those sketches was “Scared Straight,” which made its debut in 2008 and hadn’t been seen since 2012. It was one of two sketches that Thompson did with Murphy, along with Black Jeopardy. While on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Thompson praised Murphy, calling him legendary and recalling how he never thought he’d be close to him, let alone acting with him. And when it came to “Scared Straight,” he was still singing his praises:

Murphy is arguably one of the most famous comedians to come out of Saturday Night Live. He’s had many memorable characters, including Gumby and Mr. Robinson, so for Thompson to be in not one but two sketches with him for a milestone anniversary seems to be a dream for him. Of course, Murphy had previously hosted SNL in 2019, so it’s not like that was the first time Thompson worked with him. However, even though they’re friends, it’s still a surreal thing to work with him, and I can’t say I blame him.

Meanwhile, Will Ferrell was also in the “Scared Straight” sketch, meaning Thompson was able to work alongside another SNL legend. The Kenan and Kel star recalled what it was like when the Elf actor rolled into the sketch with his very interesting costume, and I can’t stop laughing thinking about the booty shorts:

Ferrell is known for having some unique costumes on Saturday Night Live, notably with his outfit for the iconic “Cowbell” sketch, which he actually had changed between the dress rehearsal and live show. But for “Scared Straight,” he opted to wear booty shorts, and it was certainly a highlight for the night, which probably helped with nerves for everyone involved.

Working with greats like Murphy and Ferrell is definitely a “pinch me” moment, and Thompson doesn’t seem to be taking it for granted. He assumes that he’ll still be around for the 60^th anniversary, but hopefully, we don’t have to wait another 10 years to get the three of them together again in one sketch.

Now, to see Thompson in action with the current cast, you can catch new episodes of SNL every Saturday at 11:30 p.m. on NBC or wth a Peacock subscription.

Oscar upsets are bound to happen here and there, and it could definitely be argued that Eddie Murphy experienced just that. Murphy's Dreamgirls nomination for Best Supporting Actor seemed to be locked up, though he ultimately lost to the late, great Alan Arkin that year. Most notably, after his loss, Murphy left the show early. Now, he’s now setting the record straight about the real reason he left the building, and he even mentioned Clint Eastwood while explaining his rationale.

Every year, the Academy Awards offer opportunities for unforgettable wins, losses, and human moments. For example, Will Smith slapping Chris Rock and the whole Moonlight/La La Land fiasco live rent free in my head, but I have trouble remembering the big winners from even two years ago. For Eddie Murphy, an interaction with Clint Eastwood right after his 2007 Oscar loss led to one of those unforgettable moments. He recently told Entertainment Weekly the real reason he walked out early was not because he was upset about losing, but rather the aftermath:

It's wild to think that for years, people thought the Shrek actor was a poor sport for losing the Oscar. Though I suppose it looked that way, given he even left before having a chance to support co-star Jennifer Hudson, who ended up winning Best Supporting actress for Dreamgirls that same night.

However, I can’t blame Murphy for trying to save his pride. It’s one thing to lose one of the main Oscar categories, but another to have past winners to try and comfort you all night. I’m sure Clint Eastwood meant well, but that was really the nail in the coffin for Murphy, it seems. The Coming to America star actually said he had come to terms with Arkin winning for Little Miss Sunshine, months before either of them were nominated for Best Supporting Actor:

In reality, “stealing” an Oscar is a silly concept. Yet audiences always seem to blame the winning actor when they think another nominee was robbed of the win, like when newcomer Mikey Madison took home Best Actress last year for Anora over a career-defining performance from Demi Moore in The Substance.

It’s easy to forget in the grandeur and showmanship of Oscar night that a body of people behind the scenes decide the awards, and Eddie Murphy explains it usually comes down to a lot more than just the final performance shown on screen:

I’m all for giving deserving career actors their flowers. It’s a huge reason why I hope Murphy’s fellow SNL alum Adam Sandler secures the nomination (and win) for his performance in Jay Kelly, which he has already received a 2026 Golden Globe nomination for. But, to Murphy’s point, the Happy Gilmore actor’s incredibly successful film career, as both an actor and producer, is not enough to put him ahead in the race. Sandler has been campaigning hard for this nomination, but like everything else in Hollywood, an Oscar win also comes down to money and favors.

I’m not saying Eddie Murphy didn’t deserve the win for his incredible performance as Jimmy Early. That’s the thing though: everyone else also deserved it. That’s why they were nominated in the first place, which I think is the true honor, sans all that intangible stuff the Norbit actor mentioned that goes into winning. Check out a snippet of Murphy's electric performance in Dreamgirls below:

However, Murphy's 2007 loss must have been a real eye-opener. He says he no longer cares about winning a golden statue but that the real reward is the long-lasting commercial success and fan appreciation of his films.

That’s not to say that I deem award season pointless, and it is still a huge honor to even just be nominated for an award. For many actors, they are “in pursuit of greatness” to quote Timothée Chalamet, and dream of being up on the Oscars stage. As for the audience at home, I personally will always tune in to root for my favorites, even as the program moves to YouTube in a few years.

Be on the look out for the 2026 Oscar nominations to see who gets in or gets snubbed when they drop January 22, and tune into the 98th Academy Awards on March 15, 2026 to see who wins, live on ABC. Fans can also stream Dreamgirls now using a Paramount+ subscription.

We’ve seen several instances over Saturday Night Live’s 50 years when a sketch or segment perhaps went too far and ended up upsetting someone. One of the most recent examples saw Aimee Lou Wood speaking out about the parody that mocked her appearance. One of the most infamous instances, however, involved David Spade dissing Eddie Murphy. Now, the Tommy Boy star opened up recently about where he and Murphy stand.

David Spade addressed the issue with fellow SNL alum Dana Carvey on their Fly on the Wall podcast. Eddie Murphy’s grudge against NBC’s sketch comedy began making headlines again with the release of the documentary Being Eddie (available to stream with a Netflix subscription), and Spade acknowledged his role in it, saying:

So what exactly happened?

David Spade used to host a segment on Saturday Night Live called “Spade in America,” where he would make Hollywood-related jokes. In December 1995, one of those cracks involved Eddie Murphy after his horror comedy Vampire in Brooklyn bombed at the box office. After a graphic of Murphy was shown on the screen, Spade said, “Look, children. It’s a falling star. Make a wish.”

As an alum of SNL himself, Eddie Murphy took offense at the jab at his career, and David Spade said the two spoke about it on the phone afterward, recalling:

David Spade has admitted in the past that he regrets making the joke, and it seems time has done a lot to heal things on Eddie Murphy’s side, too. Murphy returned for SNL’S 40th and 50th anniversary shows — the latest of which he called “a trip” to be amongst so many legends — and has served as the host, as well, on the show that made him a superstar.

The Joe Dirt star confirmed everything is copasetic between him and Eddie Murphy now, concluding:

In Being Eddie, the comedian said he always put more of the blame for that SNL diss on the show itself and not David Spade. He admitted that his feelings were hurt that his “alma mater” would take a shot at his career like that, but says he “wasn’t like, ‘Fuck David Spade.’”

It’s good to hear from both sides of the issue that it’s all water under the bridge.

Saturday Night Live will resume on the 2026 TV schedule, with Finn Wolfhard set to host January 17 with musical guest A$AP Rocky. Stay tuned for the rest of SNL’s Season 51 hosts and musical guests to come.

Ask anyone to name the most famous comedy actors working today, and I don’t think it would take very long for Adam Sandler’s name to come up. From his Airheads and Saturday Night Live years up through his current Netflix-tethered partnership, the dude has been a household name for over 30 years, and is currently garnering some major Oscar vibes for his excellent work opposite George Clooney in Jay Kelly (currently streaming via Netflix subscription). He’s pretty much living proof that dreams can be achieved.

Because for the Brooklyn-born comedian, hitting a certain level of fame is what it was all about, and Eddie Murphy’s meteoric rise to the top is what Sandler strived for early in his own career. Sure, being funny helped, but as he put it in an interview alongside Clooney for The Sunday Times, it was all about getting recognized. In his words:

Understandably, Adam Sandler wasn’t a 17-year-old stand-up comedian who dreamed of portraying dozens of characters with hearts of gold, or of winning awards through SAG-AFTRA, or of eventually making a life where he can work with his kids on a semi-regular basis. None of those matured thoughts tend to crop of that early in life. Instead, he wanted to be Eddie, because Eddie was the man!

Looking back, it’s almost as if Eddie Murphy was famous from the moment he exited his mother’s womb. He was making audiences laugh from the stage starting at age 15, was on the SNL stage before he was 20, and had three home run theatrical comedies with his first three attempts: 48 Hrs, Trading Places, and Beverly Hills Cop. I didn’t have many aspirations for stand-up as a kid, and even I wanted to be Eddie Murphy, albeit with far less NSFW jokes.

Despite not landing a role in 1988’s Coming to America, another hugh notch in Murphy’s acting belt, Adam Sandler certainly did okay for himself throughout the 1990s, even if his rising star wasn’t hurtling quite as fast. Rather than releasing straightforward stand-up albums in the vein of Murphy’s Raw and Delirious, Sandler released ribald sketch-and-song albums that matched his juvenile big-screen characters like Billy Madison and Happy Gilmore. It was a winning combination, to say the least.

Audiences didn’t just want that side of Sandler, either, as evidenced by the number of romantic comedies and family films he began producing and starring in, and often opposite huge names like Drew Barrymore and Jennifer Aniston, to name a few. Voicing Dracula for the Hotel Transylvania movies also helped spread the actor’s appeal and vocal skills, and his eventual tag-teaming with Netflix truly cemented him as one of the most profitable comedy actors of the modern age.

In fact, despite starring in a small variety of movies that might have completely killed other actors’ careers — I’m looking at Jack and Jill and You Don’t Mess with the Zohan, though I’m sure The Waterboy and Little Nicky would have tanked for others as well — Sandler has somehow kept his Teflon coating and avoided any lengthy career setbacks. What’s more, he often follows those critical and audience flops with his best dramatic work, from Punch Drunk Love to Funny People to Uncut Gems.

Compare that streak to Eddie Murphy, whose career has continuously been deflated by poor project choices. For all the respect and kudos that he deservingly maintains, it’s hard not to wonder what the 2000s would have been like for Murphy with different projects to explore. His newest project stems from Happy Gilmore 2 director Kyle Newacheck, so perhaps fans will get to see Sandler and Murphy sharing the screen among the 2026 movie releases if and when Playas Ball comes out.

Now having achieved that level of fame tnat he'd aimed for so early in life, Sandler says it can be the same as any other element of life in that nothing is 100% perfect all of the time. As he put it:

Audiences can watch Sandler's head spinning around as a loyal manager in Jay Kelly, which is available to stream on Netflix alongside plenty of the comedian's other movies.

Remember when we thought the last time we’d ever see Hugh Jackman play Wolverine in 2017’s Logan? That was true for half a decade, and then he changed his mind and decided to play a variant of the adamantium-clawed mutant in last year’s Deadpool & Wolverine. As it turns out, watching one of Eddie Murphy’s best movies played into Jackman deciding that it was worth returning to what arguably remains his most well-known role.

Jackman revealed this while he was speaking with Wicked: For Good’s Cynthia Erivo, a fellow musical theatre powerhouse, in the latest episode of Variety’s Actors on Actors series. When the actress asked him if we’ll see him play Wolverine again in any upcoming Marvel movies, he responded:

Released in 1982, 48 Hrs. was Eddie Murphy’s film debut after making a name for himself in standup comedy and as a Saturday Night Live cast member. Murphy played Reggie Hammond, the convict who’s forced to team up with Nick Nolte’s Jack Cates, a San Francisco Police Inspector, to apprehend two hardened criminals. 48 Hrs. still ranks as one of the best buddy cop movies, and Murphy continues to think highly of it, though it just barely missed out on making the Mount Rushmore of his filmography.

So upon seeing the first Deadpool movie, Hugh Jackman was immediately thinking about delivering a 48 Hrs.-like dynamic with his Wolverine and Ryan Reynolds’ Wade Wilson. However, Jackman didn’t initially act on this and stuck with Logan being his final outing. Considering how things turned out with Deadpool & Wolverine, he’s no longer willing to make such bold proclamations about his future as Wolverine, explaining:

Logan still functions exceptionally as the closing chapter of the Wolverine he’d been playing since 2000’s X-Men, but the Wolverine he’s playing now has a new lease on life after saving Earth-10005 with Deadpool and moving to this universe. That’s not to say that we’ll definitely see him reprising Logan in Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars, but at least he’s open to doing so rather than outright ruling it out. Besides, he doesn’t play to play Wolverine again to work with Ryan Reynolds and Shawn Levy, as the trio are reuniting for a non-Marvel movie.

If the rumors are true, though, Hugh Jackman will return as Wolverine in Avengers: Secret Wars and “more projects” if/when the day comes that the X-Men movies are rebooted for the MCU. For now, you can see his latest movie, Song Sung Blue, in theaters starting December 25, and 48 Hrs. can be streamed with a Paramount+ subscription.

Eddie Murphy is back in the spotlight with a new documentary titled Being Eddie, with the 2025 Netflix release chronicling his meteoric rise from Saturday Night Live phenom to one of the biggest box-office names in comedy. However, as much as Being Eddie celebrates his career, it’s also drawn attention for what it leaves out. According to one insider, the doc omitted one major part of the Nutty Professor actor's life.

Several insiders and longtime associates of Murphy recently spoke with Radar Online about the doc. Those individuals say the documentary sidesteps a reality that has quietly shaped Murphy’s life for decades. Instead of confronting the full scope of his OCD and severe anxiety, Being Eddie paints the star more laid back than those close to him claim that he is. As one source put it bluntly:

Directed by Oscar-winner Angus Wall, Being Eddie features testimonials from Jerry Seinfeld, Chris Rock, Jamie Foxx, and Dave Chappelle, all tracing the Shrek 5 voice talent’s electric journey through iconic moments and roles over the past four decades. However, some close to the A-list star claim the documentary skips over the legendary SNL veteran's long-rumored struggles with Howard Hughes-level germaphobia and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Murphy has openly admitted to obsessive-compulsive tendencies in the past. Back in 1997, after a widely reported incident in West Hollywood, the comedian turned actor told police he was “obsessive-compulsive with cleanliness.” The Delirious icon also revealed he wiped down everything that had been touched in his car after an encounter. Over the years, those habits have reportedly only intensified. Another source added:

Murphy’s former partner, Spice Girl Mel B, also shed some light on his world behind closed doors. She described his immaculate home as “a gilded cage,” saying:

The pop star-turned X-factor-judge added that Eddie Murphy’s world is so tightly controlled that even something as basic as cooking requires learning his rules, and socializing meant sticking to carefully chosen routines. Other insiders echo the sentiment that what’s shown in the documentary is only what the Bowfinger lead is most comfortable sharing. According to yet another source:

Of course, the claims that come from these people who are supposedly in Murphy's inner circle cannot be substantiated. We can only take the documentary for what the final cut is. Still, if those rumors are true, for fans hoping to see all sides of Eddie Murphy, vulnerable, and dare I say, RAW, the real story may still be waiting off-camera.

Being Eddie is available to stream now for anyone with a Netflix subscription.

The new documentary about Eddie Murphy, Being Eddie, which you can watch with your Netflix subscription, is great. It’s filled with wonderful history and great interviews with the comedy legend. It touches on Murphy’s entire career, from his beginnings as a stand-up comic in New York as a teenager to starring on SNL in his early 20s to becoming one of the biggest box office draws of all time in now-legendary movies like Trading Places, Coming to America, and the Shrek franchise.

There is one bit towards the very end of the movie that really piqued my interest. It mentions that Murphy has agreed to star in a biopic about funk music legend George Clinton. There isn’t a ton of information about the biopic, but it does seem like it’s going to happen. To be clear, I personally have to see this happen. It’s just too perfect, one of my favorite actors playing one of my favorite musicians. Yes, Please!

George Clinton Is A Hero Of Mine

I grew up in the ‘90s and, like many people my age, my first exposure to George Clinton’s music wasn’t from hearing one of his songs, like “Tear The Roof Off The Sucker” or “Chocolate City.” No, it was in a more roundabout way, as it was from listening to Dr. Dre’s classic 1992 album, The Chronic, which samples heavily from Clinton’s music. I spent hours and hours listening to that seminal West Coast hip hop album (that was terrifying suburban America) before I ever realized that the music underneath Dre and Snoop Dogg’s rapping was mostly Parliament and/or Funkadelic, Clinton’s two collectives.

Once I did discover where the samples were coming from, I dove headfirst into original music, and for the last 30 years, both Parliament and Funkadelic’s music, which are really the same band (but I won’t get into the difference here), have been among my most-played songs and albums. I’ve seen Clinton and company in concert multiple times over the years, and without fail, it’s always a wild and outstanding show. The story of George Clinton is just as wild as the music.

A Career That Has Spanned Decades

George Clinton’s first band, The Parliaments, started in the mid-1950s when Clinton was just a teenager. Now, at age 84, he’s still performing, 70 years later. It’s pretty astonishing. Of course, he’s best known for basically inventing 1970s funk, alongside his cohorts Bernie Worrell and Bootsie Collins in Parliament-Funkadelic. That music has not only proven timeless, but, like on The Chronic, has proved incredibly enduring as the basis for dozens of hip hop hits over the years as samples.

That Clinton has made it to age 84, even appearing on The Masked Singer a few years ago, is somewhat incredible as well. He isn’t exactly the poster child for clean living. He’s infamously struggled with drug addiction over the years, even getting arrested in 2003 for cocaine possession, but it’s never slowed him down. In fact, that arrest in Florida came just a couple of weeks before I saw him join Phish on stage in Miami later in the month, and he still brought the funk, of course.

His work in the 1970s is, in my opinion, and the opinion of plenty of others, some of the best and most important music of the 20th century. Clinton and P-Funk’s mishmash of funk, soul, and rock is right in my sweet spot. It’s danceable and perfect for parties, but it’s also interesting. You hear something new almost every time you listen to it. That can’t be said for a lot of dance music. The band’s wild live shows, especially in the 1970s, would make for a total spectacle on the big screen. I mean, who doesn’t want to see “Diaper Man” (guitarist Garry Shider) on a giant IMAX screen? I know I do!

Eddie Murphy Would Nail It

Murphy has played musicians in the past, not just in comedic roles like Randy Watson in Coming to America, but also in an Oscar-nominated performance as James "Thunder" Early in Dreamgirls. That character is honestly not too far off from Clinton’s early days in The Parliaments. For me, I’d really love to see Eddie Murphy take a swing at winning an Oscar, and music biopics have proven to be fertile ground for Oscar nominations.

Murphy is also a musician himself, of course, scoring a top ten hit in 1985 with “Party All the Time,” and has released multiple albums over the years. His work with another funk legend, Rick James (who wrote and produced “Party All The Time”), is well documented, especially for fans of Chappelle's Show. He's also been great impersonating musicians over the years, notably Stevie Wonder and James Brown on SNL.

Will It Actually Happen?

Now, we haven’t heard much about this project. It was first announced in 2022, but in the years since, information has been scarce. In November of last year, Dreamgirls director Bill Condon was attached to direct, according to Variety. That is the perfect choice, given Murphy’s history with Condon and Condon’s filmography that includes movies like Chicago and The Greatest Showman. The article also revealed the movie would be produced by Amazon MGM.

Since then, there hasn’t been a lot of news, but in the lead-up to the release of Being Eddie, Murphy spoke to Netflix’s Tudum and said:

So that’s encouraging news, for sure, though we still don’t know when the movie is set to begin filming or if it’ll appear on the 2026 movie schedule. Murphy also said he’s going to be starring in an upcoming reboot of the Pink Panther franchise, which also sounds pretty amazing. But first, let’s tear the roof off the sucker, because we want the funk!

I don’t know when it happened, but my Facebook feed has been showing me random posts (not from friends) for months now. While I simply skip over most of these for one reason or another, one recently caught my attention with a dialogue about some of the best actors of all time and who had the best seven-year run. Is it Tom Cruise, Harrison Ford, or someone else known for great movie characters?

Truth be told, plenty of great options were brought up in a Facebook post, and now I’m having a hard time deciding who is right or if there’s even an answer to this question. That said, I’ve come up with a list of a few Hollywood leading men who gave audiences some of the best ‘80s movies, even more of the greatest ‘90s films, and countless big-screen moments we’re still talking about years later.

Tom Cruise (1986 - 1993)

• Top Gun
• The Color of Money
• Cocktail
• Rain Man
• Born on the Fourth of July
• Days of Thunder
• Far and Away
• A Few Good Men
• The Firm

Tom Cruise was already a star-in-the-making by the time Top Gun came around in 1986, but this all-time great action flick took his career to new heights. In the seven years following his first portrayal of Maverick, Cruise would appear in classics like The Color of Money, Born on the Fourth of July, and A Few Good Men, to name just a few.

Harrison Ford (1977 - 1984)

• Star Wars
• Apocalypse Now
• The Empire Strikes Back
• Raiders of the Lost Ark
• Blade Runner
• Return of the Jedi
• Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom

Harrison Ford had some acting roles before portraying Han Solo in Star Wars, but his run of hits after taking audiences to the galaxy far, far away in 1977 made him one of Hollywood’s biggest badasses and sexiest men alive. He had a small part in Apocalypse Now, but his return as the “stuck-up, half-witted, scruffy-looking, nerf herder” in The Empire Strikes Back and Return of the Jedi was huge. The same goes for the debut of another one of his iconic characters: Indiana Jones.

Eddie Murphy (1982 - 1989)

• 48 Hrs.
• Trading Places
• Best Defense
• Beverly Hills Cop
• The Golden Child
• Beverly Hills Cop II
• Eddie Murphy Raw
• Coming To America
• Harlem Nights

A couple of years after Eddie Murphy breathed new life into Saturday Night Live, he took Hollywood by storm with his starring role in the iconic buddy cop movie, 48 Hrs.. In the years that followed the success of the 1982 comedy, Murphy had a string of hits that included classics like Trading Places, Beverly Hills Cop, and Coming to America, all of which are considered some of the funniest comedies of all time.

Tom Hanks (1992 - 1999)

• A League of Their Own
• Sleepless in Seattle
• Philadelphia
• Forrest Gump
• Apollo 13
• Toy Story
• That Thing You Do!
• Saving Private Ryan
• You’ve Got Mail
• Toy Story 2
• The Green Mile

There’s a strong case to be made for Tom Hanks’ run in the ‘90s being the greatest of all time. Over the course of the decade, Hanks went from one of the biggest up-and-coming actors in the comedy world to a two-time Oscar winner, a Hollywood leading man, and the star of the most transformative animated film franchise of the decade.

Samuel L. Jackson (1989 - 1995)

• Do the Right Thing
• Goodfellas
• Jungle Fever
• Juice
• Patriot Games
• Menace II Society
• Loaded Weapon 1
• Jurassic Park
• True Romance
• Pulp Fiction
• Die Hard with a Vengeance

I’m not going to lie, I had to leave off at least a half-dozen Samuel L. Jackson movies from this list to make it fit. Seriously, Jackson’s box office run from the late ‘80s through the early ‘90s is straight up bonkers. One of the best sci-fi movies of all time? Check, thanks to Jurassic Park. One of the most quotable characters of all time? Check, thanks to Pulp Fiction. And that’s just barely scratching the surface.

Jim Carrey (1994 - 2001)

• Ace Ventura: Pet Detective
• The Mask
• Dumb and Dumber
• Batman Forever
• Ace Ventura: When Nature Calls
• The Cable Guy
• Liar Liar
• The Truman Show
• Man on the Moon
• Me, Myself & Irene
• How The Grinch Stole Christmas
• The Majestic

Already one of the funniest names in comedy by the time he took over Hollywood, Jim Carrey became a force of chaos with his trifecta of comedies in 1994. Ace Ventura: Pet Detective, The Mask, and Dumb and Dumber all in the same year is straight up wild! But he followed it with hit after hit throughout the ‘90s and early 2000s. Though Carrey’s best movie would come a decade later with Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, let’s just look back on that run…

Brad Pitt (1994 - 2001)

• Interview with the Vampire
• Legends of the Fall
• Seven
• 12 Monkeys
• Sleepers
• The Devil’s Own
• Seven Years in Tibet
• Meet Joe Black
• Fight Club
• Snatch
• The Mexican
• Spy Game
• Ocean’s Eleven

Can we talk about how great Brad Pitt was throughout the ‘90s and early 2000s? I mean, he’s still great today, and some of his best work has been in recent years, but he had a stranglehold on American culture back then. Seven, Fight Club, Ocean’s Eleven, and more, all coming out over the course of seven years, is absurd. During the ‘90s, Pitt went from a supporting player to THE GUY in show business.

Orlando Bloom (2001 - 2008)

• Black Hawk Down
• The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
• The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
• Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
• The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
• Troy
• Kingdom of Heaven
• Elizabethtown
• Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest
• Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End

Okay, Orlando Bloom probably isn’t the first person to come to mind whenever the conversation turns to great runs, but his seven-year stretch in the 2000s is out of this world. From the Lord of the Rings trilogy to the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise and examples of all the major genres in between, Bloom had hit after hit at the start of the 21st century.

After going through all these actors and their respective filmographies, I’m having a really hard time deciding who had the best seven-year run. I mean, Tom Hanks’ stretch in the ‘90s is in a league of its own, but Tom Cruise also had a firm grasp on things in the era. Harrison Ford kept striking back, and Samuel L. Jackson was just one bad motherfucker.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments below…

Fans of Eddie Murphy have an opportunity to get a sense of what makes the man tick thanks to his new documentary, which just recently dropped as part of the 2025 movie schedule. Being Eddie seeks to humanize one of Hollywood’s most recognizable stars, and it’s an entertaining piece of work that could delight the Murphy faithful and those who aren’t super familiar with the impactful Saturday Night Live alum. I really enjoyed watching the film but at the same time, I’m very surprised some key individuals were not interviewed.

Who Doesn’t Receive Formal Interviews In Being Eddie?

This Murphy-centric doc, which is available to stream with a Netflix subscription, covers quite a bit of ground. Subjects tackled within the film include Murphy’s star-making turn on SNL and his successful shift into the movie business along with interviews from the likes of Dave Chappelle and Jerry Seinfeld. Additionally, viewers receive a peek into the Coming to America star’s domestic life, which includes his wife, Paige Butcher, and his 10 kids. It’s refreshing to see a little bit of Murphy’s familial bonds, but I’m just shocked there’s not more of them in the doc.

During the doc, Eddie Murphy is seen hanging out in his kitchen with his wife and a number of his kids. It’s a sweet moment, which makes me wonder why the Murphy family doesn’t appear more prominently within the documentary. At the very least, I would’ve expected for some of Eddie’s older kids to be interviewed. In theory, they could’ve provided insight into what it’s like not only having a celebrity parent, but also having such a big family.

In fairness, Paige Butcher briefly speaks alongside her hubby as he makes jokes while they’re chilling outside their house. Still, the moment is relatively short, and Butcher doesn’t share too much. I love the notion of an interview with Butcher, as she could’ve shared some insight into how she and her husband got together and further informed viewers about what the Delirious icon is like when he’s not entertaining the masses.

The aforementioned interviews would’ve been a sweet addition to the documentary, and I would’ve eaten them up. However, I definitely don’t want to give the impression that the film is considerably worse off without them, because it’s not.

Eddie Murphy's Documentary Still Has A Lot To Offer

Being Eddie provides a relatively exhaustive look at the titular star’s body of work, and it’s fun to hear him tell stories about working on various projects. I was particularly excited to hear Murphy discuss working on Harlem Nights (the only film he ever directed) with Richard Pryor and Redd Foxx. There’s also sweet, behind-the-scenes footage, including b-roll of Murphy testing out makeup for Coming to America and The Nutty Professor. Celebrity-related stories are also included in the doc, including one particularly wild anecdote involving the late Yul Brynner.

The Dolemite Is My Name also reflects on memories that aren’t quite as pleasant, including the joke David Spade made about him on SNL that ultimately sparked Murphy’s years-long feud with the show. However, he also detailed his 2019 return to Studio 8H, during which he reprised some of his most famous characters, like Mr. Robinson and Gumby.

And, of course, there’s also the aforementioned family aspect to all of this, and there are even some cool family photos and videos. Murphy’s relationship with his late brother, Charlie, is also touched upon briefly. So make no mistake, this documentary is more than worth the watch. The fact that interviews weren’t conducted with Murphy’s kids or wife will remain a head-scratcher for me, though.

In any case, stream Being Eddie now, and keep an eye out for other titles that will soon hit Netflix's 2025 release schedule.

Netflix adds more new content to the 2026 TV schedule and 2026 movie calendar than just about any other platform or TV network. We're now heading into the back half of the year, with a variety of exciting new movies streaming and other options to dig into. The finale film for Heartstopper will finally arrive, along with a fun behind-the-scenes special wrapping Nick and Charlie's relationship. A slew of new movies from around the globe will debut as well, along with stand-up, wrestling, and other fan-pleasing genres.

Note that the premiere times for all projects debuting via Netflix subscription are 3:01 am. ET unless otherwise noted, with certain events taking the primetime approach. New series will be marked by ALL CAPS.

July 2026 Netflix Movie And TV Release Dates

The back half of July is full of big debuts, such as the premiere of Kevin Hart's SNL cast-infused new comedy 72 Hours, the newest season of The Ultimatum and Ransom Canyon, a new TV show from Will Ferrell and more.

August 2026 Netflix Movie And TV Release Dates

September 2026 Netflix Movie And TV Release Dates

October 2026 Netflix Movie And TV Release Dates

November 2026 Netflix Movie And TV Release Dates

December 2026 Netflix Movie And TV Release Dates

Netflix Movies And TV Shows With TBA Premiere Dates

For all the release dates that are already announced and confirmed, plenty of other Netflix originals still don't have locked down premiere dates.

• 3 Body Problem Season 2 (Series)
• The Body (Movie)
• East Of Eden (Series)
• Hollywood Arts (Series)
• How To Get To Heaven From Belfast (Series)
• Monster: The Lizzie Borden Story (Series)
• My Brilliant Career (Movie)
• Pride and Prejudice (Series)
• Trinity (Series)
• Unaccustomed Earth (Movie)
• Untitled Charles III Documentary (Movie)

Keep checking back as the months go on to find even more Netflix premiere dates as they're announced.

Eddie Murphy has been reflective as of late, and that’s in great part due to his new documentary, Being Eddie, which recently became available to Netflix subscription holders. The doc covers a myriad of topics related to Murphy’s personal and professional life, including his relationship to Saturday Night Live, the show with which he rose to stardom. Yet Murphy also recalled the moment the sketch comedy show took a shot at him years after he left and explained how that sparked some hard feelings.

What Was The Eddie Murphy Joke That David Spade Made, And How Did Murphy Say About It?

During his final season on SNL, David Spade used to host a segment called Spade in America, during which he’d share jokes about Hollywood-related developments. One particular edition of the segment, which aired in December 1995, saw Spade make a joke at Eddie Murphy’s expense. After a graphic of the Beverly Hills Cop icon appeared on screen, Spade quipped, “Look, children. It’s a falling star. Make a wish.” Those comments came after Murphy’s horror comedy, Vampire in Brooklyn, bombed at the box office. Check out the clip:

As can be heard in the video above, a number of the people in the live studio audience weren’t too pleased with the Joe Dirt star’s comments. That also went for Murphy himself, who clarified his feelings in his new documentary. As Murphy explained, he felt hurt that his “alma mater” would make fun of him in such a way:

What the Dolemite Is My Name star also made clear, though, is that his issue wasn’t specifically with David Spade. At the time, his displeasure was aimed towards the overall Saturday Night Live institution as a whole:

This particular joke remains a widely discussed topic even nearly 30 years on, and that could very well be why Murphy was asked about it while being interviewed for the documentary. And, over the years, David Spade has shared his take on the matter as well.

What Did David Spade Say About The Murphy Joke?

Spade notably spoke about the Murphy jab back in 2015 and expressed regret over it for a few reasons. Aside from admitting that he “can’t take” criticism when it comes to his own work, Spade also said he’d since “come to see Eddie’s point” on the matter. The Tommy Boy star can understand how “everybody in showbiz wants people to like them” and that that’s how they build up their fanbases. With that, it “staaaangs” when a star takes a shot from someone making a pun at their expense.

All in all, any kind of animosity regarding the Murphy joke seems to have dissipated. Murphy notably returned for SNL’s 40th anniversary special in 2015 and, in 2019, he returned to host the show and reprised a number of his classic characters. On top of that, Murphy also appeared during the sketch series’ 50th anniversary special, later calling the experience of being around so many stars “a trip”

So it seems everything is copacetic between Eddie Murphy and Saturday Night Live at this point. That's great, especially given Murphy remains one of the most impactful stars to ever grace the stage at Studio 8H. Anyone who’d like to check out the best moments from Murphy’s four-season tenure on the show can stream classic episodes using a Peacock subscription.

Throughout the course of his decades-spanning career, Eddie Murphy has headlined massive movies, to say the least. From 48 Hrs. and Trading Places to Shrek and Dreamgirls, Murphy truly has some impressive credits in his filmography. What’s even wilder is that had circumstances worked out in different ways, the Oscar nominee could’ve had even more marquee titles under his belt. Among the projects that got away is Ghostbusters and, while it stinks that Murphy couldn’t be involved, I understand why he passed on the project.

Eddie Murphy was in rarified air in the ‘80s, at which point he rose to prominence as a bonafide movie star. So, at the time, he was in a position in which he was not only offered a plethora of projects, but he also had the ability to turn them down if he so chose. During an interview with the Associated Press – which was shared to Instagram – Murphy recalled passing up Ghostbusters. Murphy also name-dropped a beloved ‘80s fantasy flick and a great ‘90s buddy comedy while talking about missed opportunities:

While speaking with the AP, Murphy admitted that he regretted not being a part of those movies, because they were “huge, giant hits.” He’s not wrong there, as all three films have powerful positions within pop culture. An interesting BTS Who Framed Roger Rabbit fact is that it nearly landed Murphy in the role of Eddie Valiant. But, as Murphy noted in this recent interview, he thought the concept was “ridiculous” until he saw the movie. Because of that, he now feels like an “idiot” for turning it down. He didn’t give a reason for passing on Rush Hour, but that flick still stands as one of the best buddy cop films of all time.

The Ghostbusters movies may vary in quality, but that first installment from Ivan Reitman – which was released in 1984 – is still perfect. Based on past interviews, that film’s co-writer and co-lead, Dan Aykroyd, apparently wrote the role of Winston Zeddemore with Eddie Murphy in mind after they worked together on Trading Places. Some may wonder why Murphy opted not to participate and, as it so happens, he had to choose between that and another little movie:

Honestly, I have to agree with the Bowfinger star on that front, as I think he made the right choice. Initially a Sylvester Stallone vehicle, Beverly Hills Cop was a box office hit, and it turned Murphy into a true star. Not only that, but the film launched a film series, of which the latest installment, Axel F, was just released in 2024. All of that information – paired with the fact that Ernie Hudson ultimately gave a winning performance as Winston – is why I think everything, in hindsight, turned out for the best.

Still, it’s hard not to wonder what a Ghostbusters with Murphy would’ve looked like. The thought of the witty actor wielding a proton pack and taking on supernatural forces is just too cool (and funny) not to consider. Alas, it simply wasn’t meant to be and, ultimately, there’s no use crying over spilled milk… or slime in this case.

Anyone who wants to hear more of Eddie Murphy’s candid reflections should check out his new documentary, Being Eddie, which was just released amid the 2025 movie schedule. That introspective film is now available to stream with a Netflix subscription.

Keke Palmer has been in the industry for over two decades and KP's best movies prove why she has sustained a career. As a powerhouse child star who's still acting, it only makes sense that she’s met some incredible stars and notable Hollywood families along the way. A highlight for the actress and singer while growing up was meeting Eddie Murphy long before sharing the screen on Prime Video's The Pickup. She humorously recounted the encounter, which goes against the "celebrities are like us" adage.

Palmer talked with People about her streaming action-comedy hitting the 2025 movie schedule. She stars alongside Pete Davidson and fellow SNL vet Murphy, and shared that she actually met the icon around 15 years prior to working with him on the Tim Story project, without fully realizing she was standing inside Eddie Murphy's house at the time. . It all stemmed from an invitation by her longtime pals – his daughters. She explained:

What a wild moment that must’ve been for then young adult Palmer! Sure, as a kid actor there’s no doubt she met plenty of great celebs ahead of this, but Murphy is indisputably next level Tinseltown royalty. Per the article, it sounds like she remained chill throughout the evening, but I love that the glimpse she got of him was typical dad. And, when re-meeting on the set of the now streaming Amazon subscription movie, not much changed.

Unfortunately, The Pickup has been snagging so-so reviews from critics after it premiered earlier this August. People did seem to enjoy the costars’ motley red carpet looks with Pete Davidson, though. And the former two did have other bright spots earlier this year. The SNL alum partook in the historic 50th reunion late night show anniversary special. Meanwhile, the KP and SZA buddy film, One of Them Days, dominated streaming charts on Netflix after being a hit at the box office.

Aside from the highs and lows for Murphy and Palmer this year, both have big hits coming next year on the 2026 movie schedule and beyond. Among the 64-year-old’s projects, he’ll be returning to Shrek 5 (recently pushed to 2027). As for the 32-year-old and her whopping 11 upcoming gigs are Sister Act 3 and Spaceballs 2. Needless to say, there’s plenty more big happenings ahead, but for her to work with a hero of hers sounds pretty monumental.

I’m so pleased to know Palmer’s first memories of meeting Murphy, but it makes me want to know his! Does he remember one of his kids’ friends that tagged along for dinner one average night? And does he have as many equally amusing elements as the Nope star’s? One thing is for sure here, I hope they get to cross paths onscreen again.

Eddie Murphy is definitely considered a legend in Hollywood, and he has the film credits to back up that assertion. The star also has more than a few accolades under his belt, though one that’s eluded him is an Academy Award. Murphy was nominated for Best Supporting Actor for his work in Dreamgirls but lost in an upset. However, the actor and comedian isn’t sweating the fact that he doesn’t have one of those golden statuettes. In fact, Murphy has his reasons for not being concerned about awards, and I appreciate them.

Over the course of his career, Eddie Murphy has developed a reputation for being candid when sharing his thoughts on a given topic. His humorously refreshing candidness was on display when he sat down with Sky News. When asked for his thoughts on winning accolades, Murphy explained that he doesn’t place much importance on those. That’s because he's more concerned about the way in which audiences connect with his work as well as another key variable:

I like this perspective, and the SNL alum would certainly know what it’s like for people to connect with his work. Shrek, The Nutty Professor and Coming to America (which are on the “Murphy Mount Rushmore of Movies”) are widely loved by audiences. And those are just a few of the best Murphy films that have become pop culture staples. Those flicks were also hits at the box office and, while some may scoff at the notion of an actor focusing on profits, that is a part of the business, and I respect that Murphy is real about that.

Across the industry, there are other actors who aren’t fazed by Oscars. Just recently, Denzel Washington stated that he doesn’t care about snubs or wins, opining that “man gives the award, God gives the reward.” Eddie Murphy may be right with Washington when it comes to his indifference towards awards, but he does have a funny idea of what might happen if he is ever presented an award from the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences:

Some of the most beloved actors in the history of cinema have received Honorary Oscars, like Samuel L. Jackson, Steve Martin and Jackie Chan. I’d definitely be delighted by the sight of a 90-year-old Eddie Murphy receiving that honor. However, as a fan, what comforts me the most is that Murphy is more focused on how his films are received and the prospect of them being enjoyed for years to come. And I’d like to think that his films will indeed be “timeless.”

Check out Eddie Murphy's latest feature – The Pickup – which is available to stream with a Prime Video subscription. While you’re at it, take a look at other titles that make up the 2025 movie schedule.

2025 has been a big year for Pete Davidson so far, thanks to his starring role in the eye-piercing horror The Home, as well as co-starring in Prime Video’s current #1 action-comedy, not to mention the huge announcement that he’ll be a parent alongside girlfriend Elsie Hewitt. Granted, The Pickup is one of the more poorly reviewed comedies of the year — my own review wasn’t an exception — but Davidson said he now counts his SNL vet co-star Eddie Murphy as a source of life and career advice alongside Adam Sandler.

Talking with EW, Davidson pointed out that childhood tragedies and teenage SNL debuts served as a source of bonding for him and Eddie Murphy when The Pickup’s wheels started turning. To the point where the younger comedian can now look to the Beverly Hills Cop star for sage mentoring, similar to the relationship he has with Adam Sandler, with Davidson saying he talks to “Uncle Adam” on a weekly basis. He reflected on why both icons advice is so vital for him at this point in life, saying:

When it comes to specifics, Davidson said Adam Sandler is a strong proponent of the notion that actors should never read the reviews for their movies, while Eddie Murphy was quick to advise the Bupkis vet to keep himself clean. In his words:

Pete Davidson has been candid and vocal about his struggles with substance abuse, and is therefore all the more observant when it comes to working with actors whose careers have lasted decades without them ever being known for getting shitfaced. So for the younger comic, seeing two of his idols working at the tops of their respective games is as inspirational as anything to keep his head on straight and in the game.

Clarifying that neither Sandler nor Murphy actually sat him down for an intervention or anything so dramatic, Davidson said the way they live their lives was inspiring enough even without the wise words.

One doesn't need to be an actor, a comedian, a parent-to-be, etc. to appreciate the general notion that jobs can be fleeting, while family and friends are forever. Even if one's life is on the opposite end of the spectrum from Pete Davidson's success, that mindset can still be extremely valuable.

Though audiences' armored truck mileage may vary, The Pickup is available to stream now with an Amazon Prime subscription.

When it comes to the best Eddie Murphy movies, I wouldn’t criticize anyone who has a hard time picking their favorites. That includes the man who actually starred in the movie themselves. Murphy has amassed a vast body of work that includes films that span various genres. With that, the iconic entertainer was recently asked what four titles make up the “Mount Rushmore” of his movies. I think all of the titles Murphy named for that distinction are solid, but I honestly wasn’t expecting him to leave out one of his most popular flicks.

Eddie Murphy Picks Out The Four Movies That Best Sum Up His Career

Making this figurative “Murphy Monument” definitely isn’t an easy task, as evidenced by the star’s own difficulty laying out four titles during his interview on Complex’s 360 With Speedy. As a fan of Murphy myself, I found it really interesting seeing him somewhat struggle with putting together his Top 4. However, the Delirious performer was ultimately able to nail down his list, after making a quick switch. Check out the list below to see the four feature films Murphy ultimately chose to best represent his filmography:

• The Nutty Professor
• Shrek
• Coming to America
• Dreamgirls

Believe it or not, Dreamgirls almost didn’t make the cut. During the interview, which is on YouTube, Eddie Murphy decided to swap that one into the mix and take out 48 Hrs. As for why he made that change, Murphy provided the following explanation:

All in all, what we have here is a relatively varied lineup of Murphy-led flicks. Each one does represent a different facet of his repertoire. For instance, The Nutty Professor is a testament to the actor’s ability to mix comedy and drama, and Murphy has been saying for a while that he thinks the film includes his best performance as an actor. Shrek is also an excellent showcase of Murphy’s voice-acting abilities. Still, there’s one other title that I truly thought the Oscar nominee would’ve included.

Which Movie Was I Expecting (And Hoping) Eddie Murphy Would Add To His Top 4?

There are definitely plenty of films that could’ve landed that coveted fourth spot within the “Murphy Mount Rushmore.” However, there’s one specific movie that I initially thought would be an absolute shoo-in: Beverly Hills Cop (which Sylvester Stallone was originally going to lead). Martin Brest’s 1984 comedy sees Murphy take on the role of young Detroit cop Axel Foley, who travels to Beverly Hills in the hopes of finding his friend’s killer. The film not only bolstered the buddy cop genre as a whole and spawned a franchise, but it also arguably cemented Murphy’s status as a bonafide movie star.

Beverly Hills Cop is filled to the brim with funny scenes, from Axel’s hotel check-in to the wise-cracking policeman’s “super cops” speech. Eddie Murphy’s performance exudes an exuberance and charm that I’d argue even gives shades of Bugs Bunny in the best ways possible. All in all, the beloved action movie perfectly exemplifies Murphy’s comedic talents and, while I respect it not being in the actor’s Top 4, it’s still a somewhat tough pill for me to swallow.

I won’t get too dramatic, though, as BHC (which is available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription) definitely gets its flowers. While I’ve yet to plot out my own Murphy Mount Rushmore entirely, you better believe Axel Foley’s cinematic debut is on it. As fans think about their own lineups, they can also stream Murphy’s 2025 movie release, The Pickup, which is streamable with a Prime Video subscription.

Throughout the past couple years, Eddie Murphy has made a cottage industry out of streaming comedies. As the 2025 movie The Pickup continues that trend this weekend, details about a new project has emerged that will put him in league with some Happy Gilmore 2 talent. If you thought that was surprising, wait until you hear what it might be about based on early details!

Eddie Murphy’s Next Film Teams Him With The Director Of Happy Gilmore 2

First things first, let’s announce that our iconic Shrek 5 cast member is on board for a new movie called Playas Ball, per reporting from Deadline. The project is set to be directed by Happy 2’s director Kyle Newacheck, a Netflix mainstay who’s also helmed Game Over, Man and the first Murder Mystery with Adam Sandler and Jennifer Aniston.

It also serves as a reunion between Eddie Murphy and production company Imagine Entertainment - a relationship that started with 1996’s The Nutty Professor. Both parties re-teamed most recently in 2023’s Amazon Prime Video subscription-driver Candy Cane Lane. That makes trying to pin the exact home for this project a bit more difficult, as that information hasn’t been provided at this time.

The 2023 Cecil B. DeMille Award winner seems to have alternated between Netflix and Prime Video, starting with the former’s Dolemite is My Name in 2019. If that pattern keeps up, then Playas Ball could be a Netflix original, which would keep Kyle Newacheck in familiar waters as well.

Or, perhaps emboldened by The Naked Gun’s solid box office debut, this project could be made as a theatrical play. Which would make sense, considering that while the plot to the picture is top secret, the details that are out in the open would be a very theatrical prospect.

The Vague Description Of Playas Ball Unexpectedly Mixes Two Killer Eddie Murphy Movies

You’re probably looking at your screen and thinking “Mike, what could possibly be so ‘top secret’ about an Eddie Murphy movie that isn’t related to Shrek?” I’m glad you asked that, or at least played along and read that sentence, as the other part of this report’s big announcement included this vague description of Playas Ball:

Reading those six words brought two movies to mind: the blockbuster franchise Beverly Hills Cop, as well as Mr. Murphy’s criminally underrated The Haunted Mansion from 2003. So picture Axel Foley fighting through zombies and/or vampires, while cracking jokes in a potentially R-rated adventure.

However, if you take the title Playas Ball at face value, all of this action could use the real-life Players Ball - which is described on Wikipedia as “an annual gathering of pimps.” So throw in a little bit of From Dusk ‘til Dawn into the mix as a bonus, and you have a movie that sounds downright entertaining.

Unfortunately, we don’t know when this miraculous mashup is looking to land in front of audiences. Nor do we know if Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F’s wild streaming success has inspired the powers-that-be to send this flick to the big screen. That won’t stop Eddie Murphy fans from pondering how this one will play out, especially since The Pickup can now be streamed on Prime Video.

When it comes to animation studios that have produced some of the best films of the last couple of decades, DreamWorks Animation is a notable example. With releases on the 2025 movie schedule, they’ve been responsible for some huge franchises, from the How to Train Your Dragon movies to the world of Kung Fu Panda, among others.

All of those 3D films and CGI-animated features trickled down from Shrek. Now, decades later, the Shrek movies are iconic for many reasons, whether its their comedy or through the constant stream of memes that have amassed online. Of course, a studio can’t let a good franchise die, and the movies are being revived it with the upcoming Shrek 5.

However, it’s officially been confirmed that after Shrek 5, a spinoff Donkey film is in the works. After really thinking about it, I don’t believe Donkey can actually carry his own movie, for a couple of reasons.

I Love Donkey Just As Much As The Next Person

I’m not going to be cursing out Donkey this entire article because I do love him. I mean, it’s Donkey. When people think of Eddie Murphy’s best movies, it’s almost a guarantee that Shrek will come up because he voices Donkey so well.

The character is funny and has had some crazy, wild moments in the franchise that stand out, namely his relationship with that dragon, which still confuses me years later. I’m not entirely sure I want to know more, either. Even so, he’s a fun character…But as the lead of a whole movie?

The Main Crux Of Donkey Is His Interactions With Shrek And The Main Gang. Could That Hold For A Whole Movie?

Here’s my first reason — Donkey is fun, sure, but if we’re being truthful, the main reason we enjoy him is that he’s a part of the prominent gang. His interactions with Shrek, Fiona, Puss, and everyone else are what make him tick. If we don’t really have those characters for a spinoff film, then I don’t really see how he’s going to fit into his movie when most of his story tends to revolve around them.

A second reason is that I don’t think he really can carry his own story. I mean, I think a lot of people thought Puss couldn’t carry his own story, and then Puss In Boots: The Last Wish came out and critics loved the spinoff sequel – but I think there’s a lot more you can do with that character. He’s Puss. He’s suave, loves to fight, and had a whole past before he met Shrek and the gang. With Donkey, he’s, well…Donkey. He doesn’t really have a special past we can dive deep into unless they’re coming up with one for this movie.

At the end of the day, the biggest reason is, do we really want to know more about Donkey? About why he’s able to speak? About where he comes from? It’s not something he really talked about, just that he didn’t have friends when he was younger. Is that enough to carry a movie?

I don’t know. I really don’t. Donkey is a beloved character – he has his kiosk at Universal Studios and everything – but for his film, I’m not sure. I feel like it would work better as a TV special or maybe something special that could premiere on one of the best streaming platforms, but a big-screen outing might be too much. I suppose we’ll have to wait and see.

If you look up “project that sounds way better on paper” and “wasted opportunity” in the dictionary, you won’t actually find anything, because that’s not how dictionaries work. In a world where those concepts were included, however, Prime Video’s new action-comedy The Pickup would be the pictured and heavily cited example, because wow, what an exercise in unexpectedly rampant disappointment. But how?

The three above-the-title stars involved are certainly all capable of delivering the goods, or even the greats. Eddie Murphy’s early career performances remain dynamic and influential enough to overshadow decades’ worth of lackluster projects, and his efforts in more recent projects like Dolemite Is My Name and Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F prove he’s still capable of unhinged magic. Pete Davidson is a slightly more acquired taste, but he excels at playing put-upon characters dealing with arrested development. And Keke Palmer… well, she’s just plain excellent in everything.

As such, even the most amateur mathematician would consider it a no-brainer to assume that Murphy + Davidson + Palmer would combine for a highly engaging modern crime comedy classic. Yet, that assumption gets almost violently upended by an abysmal script from co-writers Kevin Burrows and Matt Mider – arguably best known for the animated web series Gentleman Lobsters and sadly not for crafting worthwhile action-comedies.

Perhaps the writers aren’t fully at fault, however, since so many of the movie’s dead-on-arrival quips and one-liners appear to be ad-libbed by the actors, pushing the blame more on them and director Tim Story, whose hit-or-miss filmography includes the Ride Along movies, the Think Like a Man franchise, the 2005 and 2007 Fantastic Four blockbusters, and Barbershop. He also made the Queen Latifah and Jimmy Fallon vehicle Taxi, though — pun firmly intended — and that’s more in line with the armored truck-centric messiness of The Pickup.

Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson’s talents are 100% wasted, and this should have been Keke Palmer’s movie from top to bottom.

The Pickup opens with what can only be considered a meet-threat, with Pete Davidson’s Travis, an armored truck driver and complete social misfit, misguidedly pulling a gun on Keke Palmer’s Zoe as she attempts to flirt with him. They quickly take things to the next level, and it’s clear that Zoe has ulterior motives, because Travis is a wiffle ball of a human being: mostly transparent with zero depth.

Had Davidson made The Pickup as his first foray into cinema early into his Saturday Night Live run, Travis might not be as fingernails-across-the-chalkboard grating to the nerves. But at this point in the actor's career, we’ve seen the comedian deliver far better performances and deliveries, even with similarly dimwitted characters.

Travis is paired up for an all-important and financially irresponsible delivery with Eddie Murphy’s Russell, a longtime fellow driver with an eye on celebrating his anniversary and eventually pivoting into a different career. This duo could have been fantastic, but the actors have lacking chemistry, with Travis veering from nebbish and put-upon to overbearing and fawning, while Russell mainly sticks to passive antagonism throughout. At least Eva Longoria, who plays Russell's wife Natalie, is ready to deliver during her fleeting scenes.

To be expected, Zoe has plans to rob the very truck that Travis and Russell are responsible for, and she has two completely forgettable henchman in tow. Claws’ Jack Kesy plays the humorless sack of testosterone Banner, with The Rings of Power’s Ismael Cruz Cordova bringing a modicum of a sassy personality as Miguel. These two take on more villainous roles as the story goes on, but never feel like a truly formidable threat, which is another one of this movie’s big issues.

The movie also features underserved appearances from Andrew Dice Clay and Marshawn Lynch and breaks the streak of A+ cameos from the former NFL star by wasting his comedic skills on a couple of nothingburger scenes. The Diceman, meanwhile, is like a made-for-cable J. Jonah Jameson, playing Travis and Russell's crabby, loud-mouthed boss.

The only character worth watching in this movie is Keke Palmer's Zoe, since she's the only actor whose star power is present and accounted for. I don't know how much better The Pickup would be if it focused solely on Zoe's wheeling and dealing, but I know my throat wouldn't feel quite as prickly from all the disgruntled groaning.

Everything in The Pickup feels like a deleted scene from a better movie.

Several of The Pickup's biggest action sequences revolve around the armored car speeding down highways and through city streets, mostly with Pete Davidson behind the wheel and Eddie Murphy doing the more physical acting inside the vehicle. These scenes in particular felt like they were cribbed from one of Judd Apatow's line-o-rama productions, particularly in regards to Travis blurting out an endless barrage of reactions to anything and everything happening around him. I can just imagine Tim Story & Co. keeping the camera on Davidson as he improvised one line after another, with everyone confident they were mining gold.

But instead of using the best lines, The Pickup only included the ones that make Davidson look like an attention-addled child taking his first road trip. None of the jokes that made the final cut are actually funny or original or worth extending the runtime to include, and that observation can be stretched out and applied to the entire movie.

To be fair, Story and the stunt & VFX teams deliver some pretty hectic and enjoyable explosions and crashes, largely set to a Speed-lite score, but so many of those moments are also predicated on either nonsense or unexplained lines and character choices. It's enough so that it feels like we're watching a subjective version of the story that was snipped out of a more fully informed version where relevant motivations and facts were included.

Case in point: Travis and Russell's truck contains a highly important and expensive monkey-under-glass display that comes up multiple times as if it's inherently the most hilarious prop imaginable (even to the point of it getting a post-credits gag), but without a scene that actually clues audiences in on why we should care. That informative scene, I assume, would be included in the director's cut that no one will ever petition for.

The creative choices range from questionable to pure fucking garbage.

I certainly understand that The Pickup is meant to be a breezy movie that shouldn't be taken too seriously, and that choosing to hone in on all of the baffling and/or under-cooked moments requires an unhealthy amount of misery and cynicism. However, I often felt like this storyline was actively provoking me into complaining about it.

The most obvious faux pas is the conceit that Travis and Zoe would actively vie for an authentic romance after the aforementioned sexual duping that kicks the movie off. Zoe is far too cool, sophisticated, and capable a human being for Travis' eternal manchild. Davidson's character always appears to be far more invested in obsessing over her than surviving any of the movie's ill-plotted conflicts.

The second biggest WTF decision was to cast Eddie Murphy, once one of Hollywood's most electric comedians, as the fuddy-duddy straight man opposite Davidson. I can somewhat appreciate the Lethal Weapon-esque run of age jokes at Russell's expense, but he's not really part of the joke there. Only one moment in the movie truly calls back to Murphy's golden-age delivery (what I'll refer to as Russell's diner rant), and it just feels like an impersonation of Murphy more than the real thing.

Even beyond its unfortunate first-draft decisions, The Pickup is littered with choices and moments that might have been clipped out if it weren't for the already svelte 94-minute runtime – with action-movie logic on full display. Example: two vehicles smash into the same side of the same car, and instead of the rammed car just being demolished, the other two go flying over it with fiery explosions. Make it make sense, but without gaslighting me into thinking some cars have giant hubcap ramps.

Characters also often refer to events and details without a lick of insight into their importance and do things that would only come out of a writer's brain. This is a movie where, after one baddie is seemingly killed off in a blaze of glory, another character makes a point of joking about how glaringly obvious it is that anyone would be dead after suffering such an incident... only for the supposed victim to return without any kind of dibilitating injuries and without anyone asking how the fuck it happened. Because spoilers: yes, they definitely should have died.

If I were to put a hard number on the amount of times I actually laughed at The Pickup itself, and not one of my own snarky comments, I honestly couldn't go higher than two. I can say without a doubt that I had more laughs at both of my parents' funerals, respectively. So if The Pickup can't even live up to the "comedy" half of its subgenre with its talent involved, how did we even get to this point?

There are plenty of options on the 2025 movie calendar currently fulfilling the role of summer blockbuster if you’re looking at a trip to the theater, but sometimes isn’t it nice to not have to leave your house? The Pickup, a new heist comedy starring Eddie Murphy, Pete Davidson and Keke Palmer will be available to stream with an Amazon Prime Video subscription starting August 6, but critics seem to think its cast’s comedic talents — especially Murphy’s — are wasted.

There’s no denying how funny the three leading actors are, and this movie sees the Saturday Night Live alums playing armored car drivers who get mixed up in a heist run by Keke Palmer’s Zoe. One would hope that this flick from director Tim Story would play to their strengths, and while THR’s Lovia Gyarkye says Pete Davidson and Eddie Murphy’s chemistry does help, it sounds like this movie may clash as badly as the trio’s red carpet outfits. The critic writes:

Pete Hammond of Deadline points out the similarities between The Pickup and The Bad Guys 2, the animated sequel in theaters now that’s also receiving mixed reviews. That’s probably not a great thing to hear for fans of Eddie Murphy’s best movies. In this one, the veteran comedic actor plays it low-key, allowing Pete Davidson to carry the comedic weight. Hammond says:

Travis Hopsin of Punch Drunk Critic rates it 2.5 stars out of 5, saying that Eddie Murphy is relegated to the straight-man role in The Pickup, which is not a natural spot for him. Even those hoping to see Marshawn Lynch get his due in a supporting role will be disappointed, Hopsin says, writing:

Alex Harrison of ScreenRant says The Pickup ventures into so-bad-it’s-good territory by taking its action too seriously and thereby wasting its comedic cast. Though the critic ended up rating it just 3 out of 10, he walks away with more positive feelings than negative, writing:

Matt Goldberg of The Wrap agrees with the consensus above, except for any of the parts where critics found the scarce laugh or redeeming quality. It’s best chance of success, per Goldberg, “is hoping that autoplay sends it to someone’s screen and the viewer is too indifferent to hit the stop button.” The critic continues:

It sounds like critics were definitely hoping for more from Eddie Murphy in this role, because it wasn’t just the above reviews that posted negative ratings for The Pickup. The action comedy holds a 43% Rotten Tomatoes score as of this writing.

Some said there are laughs to be found, though, so if this sounds like a movie you want to check out — without even leaving your home — fire up Prime Video and draw your own conclusions! The Pickup will be available to stream on Wednesday, August 6.

Welcome to August. The last full month of summer is here, and with it is a brand new batch of movies and TV series to keep you from having to go outside into the heat. Several popular series are returning with new seasons this week, but we all know which one of them you’ve been waiting for.

King of the Hill, Season 14 - August 4 (Hulu)

One of the benefits of animated television is that nothing ever has to change. Even time doesn’t need to pass. The Simpsons has continued on for decades with this premise. However, when King of the Hill makes its long-awaited return for Season 14, available with a Hulu subscription, eight years after its last outing, time will have passed for the Hill family, and we’ll get to see just what the world is like now through the eyes of Hank and his now adult child.

Wednesday Season 2, Volume 1 - August 6 (Netflix)

Our long national nightmare is over. Season 2 of Wednesday, is finally here, giving you another reason to keep your Netflix subscription. The Addams Family spinoff was an absolutely massive hit in its first season and turned Jenna Ortega into a star. Now, nearly three years later, the first batch of episodes of Season 2 debuts this week. The good news is that Season 3 has already been greenlit, so it shouldn’t take quite as long to get here, and a spinoff series might be in the works, too.

The Pickup - August 6 (Prime Video)

Eddie Murphy made a big splash on streaming with the long-awaited sequel to Beverly Hills Cop, Axel F. Now he’s jumping streamers and trying something a little more original. In The Pickup, Murphy and Pete Davidson play armored car drivers who are forced into helping with a casino heist. With a cast that includes Keke Palmer, Eva Longoria, and Marshawn Lynch, this one looks like it should be worth an evening’s entertainment if you have a Prime Video subscription anyway.

Platonic, Season 2 - August 6 (Apple TV+)

Seth Rogen’s recent Apple TV+ comedy, The Studio, was a huge hit, so perhaps that will help get more eyes on his other Apple TV+ comedy, Platonic. The first season of the show, which stars Rogen and Rose Byrne as old friends who reconnect after years apart, was truly relatable and quite humorous. If you haven’t caught this one before, give season 1 of Platonic a look before diving into Season 2. If you got your Apple TV+ subscription to watch The Studio and you still have it, why not?

The Proud Family: Louder and Prouder, Season 3 - August 6 (Disney+)

King of the Hill isn’t the only popular animated series to make a return this week. If you’ve got a Disney+ subscription, then you can also check out the third season of the rebooted The Proud Family. Considering the show only had two seasons in its initial run (though admittedly with far more episodes per season), it shows just how popular this series has remained through the years. A fourth season is already on the way.

This is just the beginning of what August has to offer streaming fans. Later this month, we’ll get the highly anticipated Alien: Earth, the first series based on the iconic franchise, as well as the newest chapter of the DCU with the second season of Peacemaker.

There is a lot of comedic talent packed into The Pickup, a heist-action-comedy set to hit the 2025 movie calendar next month. Eddie Murphy stars as an armored truck driver alongside Pete Davidson as his colleague and Keke Palmer, who ropes them into a scheme to steal millions of dollars. If you had any doubt that each of these three actors will bring their own unique flavor to the flick, you need look no further than their red carpet attire.

The Pickup is set for release August 6, when it will be available to stream with an Amazon Prime subscription, and ahead of that, its world premiere was held July 27 in Los Angeles. The three stars gathered together for a group shot on the red carpet, looking like quite the motley crew in their individual outfits of choice:

There have been some great examples of co-stars coordinating their wardrobe to fit the project they’re promoting — take Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande’s Wicked outfits — but that is definitely not what’s happening here. And while no text chain likely existed between the actors’ stylists, each of the above outfits is actually perfectly suited to the person wearing it.

Keke Palmer, who has several exciting projects in the works, looks amazing in a patterned, partially sheer Versace dress. The beaded one-shoulder gown featured abstract cutouts and different shades of silver and gray that looked almost camouflage as it flowed down to the floor. Her glam makeup was perfect, and she wore her auburn hair in a voluminous high ponytail.

Eddie Murphy, for his part, looked quite dapper in all black, with his black suit jacket over a high-necked black sweater.

Then there was Pete Davidson in a tracksuit.

The Bodies Bodies Bodies actor donned a two-toned beige sweatshirt with matching sweatpants from Sergio Tacchini and Under Armour sneakers. The look was casual but on-brand, and he probably got let off the hook for dressing down, at least a little, given the fact that The Pickup premiere was his and girlfriend Elsie Hewitt’s first public appearance since announcing they were having a baby.

The model opted for a long, sleeveless black dress and matching pointed-toe pumps. (She should have been the one wearing sneakers, in my opinion!)

While Eddie Murphy, Keke Palmer and Pete Davidson didn’t necessarily look like they all belonged in the same photo, I’m pretty excited to see their styles come together in their upcoming movie.

The Pickup trailer promises plenty of action, including car chases and shootouts, and the leading trio is far from the only talent. Eva Longoria plays Natalie, wife to Eddie Murphy’s Russell. Meanwhile, Marshawn Lynch's comedy was highlighted as part of the cast of Murderville and on plenty of other shows and movies since he retired from the NFL. He's portraying a character called Chop Shop.

A lot of different styles will combine for the upcoming comedy from director Tim Story, and I’m excited to see what this motley crew delivers when The Pickup comes out Wednesday, August 6, on Prime Video.

Eddie Murphy has certainly been busy over the past several years, seemingly landing movie roles left and right. He last graced screens via the big-screen worthy Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, and Murphy’s follow-up promises to provide more thrills and laughs. The veteran actor is headlining The Pickup, a new action comedy that’ll be available for Prime Video subscription holders later this summer. Now, the first trailer has arrived and, while it shows off the film’s impressive cast, there’s one particular actor I want to see more of.

What Does The Pickup Trailer Have To Offer?

The trailer for the 2025 movie schedule release quickly establishes Eddie Murphy’s character, Russell, an armored truck driver looking forward to celebrating his 25th wedding anniversary with his wife (played by Eva Longoria). Russell is assigned to oversee a routine cash pickup alongside the younger and less experienced Travis (Pete Davidson). While the shift initially goes normally, it takes a turn when the pair and their truck are intercepted by the shady Zoe (Keke Palmer), who ropes them into her scheme to steal millions of dollars.

Based on the trailer alone, hijinks abound in this heist-laden tale, including car chases, shootouts and more. Of course, even with a madcap comedy like this one has to be grounded in character, and it seems that at the center of the film is the relationship between Russell and Travis. The trailer gives me the impression Pete Davidson is having a lot of fun, and I’m intrigued by the notion of him and the 48 Hrs. icon bouncing off each other. Of course, Davidson’s dynamic with his on-screen fling, Keke Palmer, seems funny, too.

Eddie Murphy and Pete Davidson’s on-screen dynamic – which seems to involve the former throwing humorously exhausted glances at the latter – alone could make this film worth a watch. And, seriously, it’s hard not to make note of the talent that’s present here. In addition to the actors that have already been mentioned, veteran comedian Andrew Dice Clay, The Rings of Power star Ismael Cruz Córdova and pro wrestler Roman Reigns are in the mix as well. As eclectic as the ensemble is, there’s another person I really have to highlight.

Marshawn Lynch Deserves As Much Screentime As Possible

Yes, athlete-turned-actor Marshawn Lynch is also a part of this Prime Video comedy and seemingly plays a member of Zoe’s crew. For those who aren’t familiar with Lynch’s work as an actor, he’s appeared in films like Freaky Tales and Love Hurts as well as shows such as Westworld and Lopez vs. Lopez. The projects Lynch has appeared in may vary in quality, but he’s always on his game. I particularly love his performance as the uncouth, but supportive, Mr. G in Bottoms and would argue that he steals almost every scene he’s in.

Given all of that, I’d love to see the Super Bowl winner receive his due in The Pickup. He definitely serves well in a supporting role, but I hope he’s not sidelined too much. Given he doesn’t appear all that much in the trailer, I’m a little worried as to whether that’s an indication of the size of his role. Hopefully, though, director Tim Story utilizes the comedic actor in an effective way.

Eddie Murphy remains front and center, of course and, while I’ve been concerned about Murphy taking on so many buddy comedies, I’m hopeful that his latest film is a delight. If anything, the cast can truly bolster the flick. After all, Pete Davidson’s quirky comedic prowess is usually entertaining, and I’ve been excited to see more from Keke Palmer since One of Them Days hit theaters earlier this year. Let’s just hope that amid all of the craziness, Marshawn Lynch doesn’t take too much of a backseat.

The Pickup will be available to stream on Amazon Prime Video globally on August 6. In the meantime, why not entertain yourself by checking out some of Eddie Murphy’s best movies.

Not many people get to be a part of history in a recognizable way, but that cannot be said for the dozens of funny folks who’ve graced the halls of Studio 8H and contributed to the massive success of Saturday Night Live. As we all know, Eddie Murphy is one of the stars who made a huge impact on SNL (and in less than five seasons), and gave us some of the long-running sketch show’s funniest lines during his four seasons there. He recently reflected on being a part of TV history and how the big SNL50 celebration was “a trip,” even for him.

What Did Eddie Murphy Say About Being A Part Of The SNL50 Celebration?

Along with the landmark 50th season of Saturday Night Live wrapping up not long ago on the 2025 TV schedule, the earlier part of this year saw a number of specials hit NBC (which you can catch with your Peacock subscription) which included appearances from many former cast members, beloved hosts of seasons past, and musical acts for a giant homecoming concert.

Hilarious Beverly Hills Cop franchise mega-star Eddie Murphy can pretty reasonably be said to owe a large amount of his success in the past 40+ years to Saturday Night Live, so he was, of course, invited to take part in the SNL50 celebrations. When he made a recent appearance on The Jennifer Hudson Show (which reunited him with the EGOT winner a whopping 18 years after their work in Dreamgirls), she asked what it was like to go back and see everyone. After funnily remarking that it was “a trip, ‘cause everybody was real old,” he elaborated, and said:

I hadn’t really thought about it before, but seeing as how Murphy and Hudson starred in an Oscar-worthy film but hadn’t seen each other for nearly two decades, it must mean that he hasn’t necessarily spent a lot of time with many of the people he actually starred on SNL with in the years since. So, it really would be wild to return and see so many of those comedians again. It would be like going to the grocery store and running into someone from high school after four decades of not seeing their face.

Luckily, it sounds like the star of the upcoming 2025 movie, The Pickup (streaming with an Amazon Prime subscription in August), had a great time and was reminded of just how big of an impact he’s made on history because of his work on SNL.

It finally happened, Eddie Murphy’s son and Martin Lawrence’s daughter are married! That’s right, after lots of chatter from their dads, Jasmin Lawrence and Eric Murphy tied the knot. Now, as the Saturday Night Live alum revealed this happy news, he also, of course, had some jokes about it, which included a quip about his fellow actor and who was paying for their kids' wedding.

For years now, as Murphy and Lawrence’s kids dated and eventually got engaged, their parents have been joking about their wedding. Specifically, Murphy apparently insisted on Lawrence paying for the wedding, according to the Bad Boys actor. Well, now, even though their kids are married, jokes about who will foot the bill are still happening, as the Beverly Hills Cop actor said on The Jennifer Hudson Show:

According to the Shrek actor, his son and Lawrence’s daughter had a very small ceremony. So, there was no big wedding and no big bill to pay.

Clarifying that point further, when Hudson asked if her Dreamgirls co-star sang at the ceremony, he said “no” and provided a few more details about his kid’s wedding, saying:

Well, that’s adorable, and I’m sure this party will be one giant celebration of their love. However, Murphy clarified, again after Hudson asked again, that he would not be signing during it. However, he did joke that Martin Lawrence might, and then conceded that maybe they’d do a duet.

Overall, this is all so sweet, and I love how happy Eddie Murphy appears to be for his son and daughter-in-law. However, I also can’t stop laughing because even though the knot has been tied, he is still joking about who will pay for the wedding.

I guess the question now is about who will pay for this “big party” they might throw. My guess is the Coming to America star will still be campaigning for Lawrence to take the bill.

However, I’d love to hear from the Martin star about this matter. How did he feel about their kids having a tiny ceremony? Does he still want Eddie Murphy to give a toast at their kids' potential reception? Also, is he in on this plan for a “big party,” and will he pay for it? Hopefully, he’ll chat about it someday, and considering he has spoken about being in-laws with his co-star on a few occasions, I imagine we will hear from him eventually.

Now, I’m looking forward to seeing how this light-hearted conversation about their kids’ love continues. In the past, Murphy has joked about the potential for them to have funny kids, and as I mentioned, this ongoing debate about who will pay for the celebration of their love is always entertaining.

Plus, Eddie Murphy has said he wants to work with Martin Lawrence again, and if that happens, the two of them doing interviews together could lead to funny interactions about being in-laws. However, for now, let’s all say cheers to the happy couple and their recent marriage, and cross our fingers that we’ll someday get to find out who actually paid for the celebration.

Comedy is a tricky business, but dozens upon dozens of performers have chosen it and made it work for them. In fact, many fan favorite stand up comedians have found success by turning to their own relatable stories of failure and setbacks for laughs. Now, Jamie Foxx has funnily opened up about telling Eddie Murphy not to return to the stage as a comic.

What Did Jamie Foxx Say About Telling Eddie Murphy Not To Do Stand Up Comedy Anymore?

Obviously, former Saturday Night Live cast member/comedy icon Eddie Murphy and Oscar winner Jamie Foxx are two of the biggest names in comedy, and have been for several decades each. The Ray lead recently joined a group of other stand up stars for one of The Hollywood Reporter’s roundtable discussions, and when the group was asked if they’d ever felt the need to tell more personal stories in their comedy, Foxx responded:

Ah, yes. Something that audiences don’t really see is comedians hitting the stage to joke about how good life is, because…you know, it’s hard to make that funny. A lot of comedy is about processing trauma and dealing with the many negatives of life, whether the comedian talks about personal issues or the world at large. Laughing at the bad (eventually) is what helps many people keep going, even when they know more shitty things will definitely come at some point. If life is good and easy…what are you laughing about?

Foxx recently returned to stand up, after many years of starring in a wide variety of movies like Django Unchained, the Horrible Bosses franchise, Baby Driver, White House Down, Just Mercy, Spider-Man: No Way Home, They Cloned Tyrone, and voicing the lead in Soul. But, he did that after suffering a brain bleed that led to a stroke, which was at first only reported as a mysterious medical condition and caused a lot of fan speculation around his health for a while.

Thus, he had something terrible and scary happen which meant he needed not only serious medical attention, but to find a way through the pain and uncertainty mentally. That gave him something to talk about on stage, which eventually turned into his hit comedy special What Had Happened Was… (which you can watch with your Netflix subscription). Foxx continued:

While I’m certain that Foxx and others don’t wish anything negative on the Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F star just to see him return to stand up, his point about Murphy’s life seeming “too perfect” still stands. At the very least, if he’d like to return to the days of his R-rated stage routines, he’s going to have to dig deep and find something uncomfortable to talk about. And, I bet that the notably funny man will be able to do that whenever he wants.

Everybody deserves a break every once in a while, and that includes actors. Some of Hollywood’s finest have even indulged in stepping away from the camera for years on end, such as these celebrities.

Joe Pesci

Academy Award winner Joe Pesci went eight years without an acting role, the last being in Lethal Weapon 4, before making a cameo in 2006's The Good Shepherd. He finally appeared in another starring role in 2010’s Love Ranch, lent his voice to 2015’s A Warrior’s Tale, and later received his third Oscar nomination for portraying Russell Buffalino in 2019’s The Irishman. He waited another four years to break retirement for Peacock's Pete Davidson-led TV show, Bupkis, and a boxing movie called Day of the Fight.

Ke Huy Quan

After making a name for himself in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and The Goonies, Ke Huy Quan appeared in nothing between 1996’s Red Pirate and 2002’s Second Time Around, during which he worked as a stunt coordinator for movies like X-Men and The One. He was absent from the screen for another 19 years before showing up in Finding Ohana, but the former child star’s huge comeback came the following year with his Oscar-winning role in Everything Everywhere All At Once.

Meg Ryan

Following 2009’s Serious Moonlight, Meg Ryan appeared in a few episodes of Web Therapy between 2011 and 2013 before returning to cinema as star and director of 2015’s Ithaca. That same year, the When Harry Met Sally... actor appeared in a TV movie called Fan Girl and, eight years later, she wrote, directed, and starred in a 2023 rom-com called What Happens Later.

Eddie Murphy

After winning the Razzie for “Worst Actor of the Decade” in 2010, Oscar-nominated former Saturday Night Live star Eddie Murphy decided to take a year-long break that turned into a six-year hiatus, according to an interview with People. He came out of retirement to play the title role of a 2016 drama called Mr. Church before earning a Golden Globe nomination for portraying Rudy Ray Moore in 2019’s Dolemite Is My Name.

Joaquin Phoenix

The world would eventually discover that Joaquin Phoenix's claim that he was retiring from acting in favor of a rap career was all a hoax for Casey Affleck’s 2010 mockumentary, I’m Still Here. However, he did briefly step away from the spotlight during that time, following the 2009 release of Two Lovers. He made his official return in 2012 with Paul Thomas Anderson’s The Master and would go on to win an Oscar for Joker in 2019.

Rick Moranis

After playing Wayne Szalinski a third time in 1997’s Honey, We Shrunk Ourselves, the widowed Rick Moranis decided to step away from acting and focus on raising his children. The Canadian comedy legend would only come out of retirement for voice acting, such as in the Brother Bear movies and a cameo on The Goldbergs as the voice of his Spaceballs character, Dark Helmet.

Marlon Brando

Two-time Academy Award-winning legend Marlon Brando announced that he would retire from acting after starring in 1980’s The Formula. However, the Godfather star would return nine years later for A Dry White Season, which he followed with memorable performances in the likes of 1990's The Freshman and Don Juan DeMarco.

Arnold Schwarzenegger

Arnold Schwarzenegger's last major acting gig before taking office as the governor of California was the title role of 2003's Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines. Not counting a few uncredited cameos during his political stint – namely in The Rundown, Around the World in 80 Days, The Kid & I, and The Expendables – the Austrian-born bodybuilder made his official return to acting as part of the ensemble cast for The Expendables 2.

Ryan Gosling

Ryan Gosling has taken a few breaks throughout his largely successful career, starting with his hiatus between 2007’s Lars and the Real Girl and Blue Valentine in 2010. The Oscar-nominated Canadian heartthrob stepped out of the spotlight again after 2018’s First Man before coming back for Netflix’s The Gray Man in 2022.

Cameron Diaz

The timeline of Cameron Diaz's acting career experienced a gap after she starred in the 2014 remake of Annie with Jamie Foxx. The Charlie's Angels star spent the next 11 years focusing on raising her family and entrepreneurship before making a comeback in 2025 with Netflix's spy comedy, Back in Action, which also stars Foxx as her husband and espionage partner.

Leonardo DiCaprio

Following his Academy Award-winning performance in 2015’s The Revenant, Leonardo DiCaprio took a break from the craft, during which he focused on environmental activism. He would reemerge with an Oscar-nominated performance as, ironically, an actor fearing he may be nearing his time of retirement in Quentin Tarantino’s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood in 2019.

Brendan Fraser

We did not see Brendan Fraser in a movie for five years, between 2014’s The Nut Job and The Poison Rose in 2019. The actor has credited that hiatus with his allegation against then Hollywood Foreign Press Association President Philip Berk, whom he claims assaulted him in 2003. While the Mummy star did some TV work during that time, it was strange to see the A-lister completely absent from the big screen for so long, making his subsequent comeback and Oscar win for 2022’s The Whale such a refreshing moment.

Eva Mendes

Eva Mendes' last major film role before settling down to focus on raising her family was 2014’s Lost River, which is written and directed by her longtime partner, Ryan Gosling. However, in 2021, the model-turned-actor would lend her voice to an episode of Bluey, which she and her children are fans of, as she told People.

Macaulay Culkin

Macaulay Culkin is, thankfully, a former child star who still acts, but there was a significant gap between adolescence and adulthood in which he was almost nowhere to be seen. After playing the title role of 1994’s Richie Rich, which earned him a Razzie, he took a break, only to emerge nine years later with his most mature role yet, in Party Monster.

Daniel Day-Lewis

Daniel Day-Lewis has always been known to keep a few years of space between each acting role, but the widely revered Academy Award winner announced that he would be officially retiring after starring in Paul Thomas Anderson’s Phantom Thread in 2017. In 2024, it was announced that he would make a return to star in his son, Ronan Day Lewis’, directorial feature debut, Anemone.

Sean Connery

It seemed like Sir Sean Connery was done with acting after the critical and commercial failure of 2003's The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, which the actor was openly critical of. However, the Scottish former James Bond star did come out of retirement once in 2012 to voice the title role of Sir Billi (also known as Guardian of the Highlands in the US) before he passed away in 2020.

Renée Zellweger

After starring in My Own Love Song in 2010, Renée Zellweger stepped away from Hollywood to focus on her humanitarian efforts. She would return to reprise one of her most iconic roles in 2016’s Bridget Jones’s Baby and would go on to win her second Academy Award for her performance as Judy Garland in the 2019 biopic, Judy.

Martin Lawrence

After dressing in drag a third time for Big Mommas: Like Father, Like Son in 2011, Martin Lawrence decided to focus on his family and return to stand-up, and even released a comedy special in 2016 called Doin’ Time. The comedian would come out of acting retirement for The Beach Bum in 2019 and return to the Bad Boys franchise the following year.

Jane Fonda

Jane Fonda, who earned Academy Awards for Coming Home and Klute, would take a break from acting after starring in 1990's Stanley & Iris. She made her return 15 years later to star opposite Jennifer Lopez in the rom-com, Monster-in-Law.

Matthew McConaughey

After mediocre comedies seemed to define his career for a while, Matthew McConaughey took a break from movies after the release of 2009’s Ghosts of Girlfriends Past. He returned to the big screen in 2011 for what would be labeled the McConaissance with more serious roles in the likes of The Lincoln Lawyer, Mud, and his Oscar-winning turn in Dallas Buyers Club.

Sarah Michelle Gellar

Sarah Michelle Gellar's absence from the big screen alone (between Veronika Decides to Die and Do Revenge) lasted 13 years, if you don’t count her role in the English dub for the Peruvian 2012 animated film The Illusionauts. However, she did not even have any small screen roles between 2016 – when she appeared in an unaired pilot for a Cruel Intentions sequel series and guest-starred on Those Who Can’t – and 2019, when she made a cameo as herself on The Big Bang Theory.

Tobey Maguire

Tobey Maguire played Bobby Fischer in Pawn Sacrifice in 2014, the same year he also starred in and produced the miniseries, The Spoils of Babylon. He would not appear in another live-action production until reprising his variation of Peter Parker in Spider-Man: No Way Home in 2021, but did lend his voice to 2017’s The Boss Baby.

Jennifer Lawrence

Jennifer Lawrence had an endlessly busy decade, including leading the Hunger Games movies and her Oscar win for Silver Linings Playbook, before deciding to take a break after saying goodbye to the X-Men movies franchise with 2019’s Dark Phoenix. She would return just two years later, however, with Adam McKay's Oscar-nominated satire, Don’t Look Up, in 2021.

Dave Chappelle

Dave Chappelle was at the top of his game in 2005 when he chose to leave his successful Comedy Central sketch comedy series, Chappelle’s Show, and leave the country, due to creative differences and pressures. He would make infrequent appearances at comedy clubs for the next decade before returning to acting in Spike Lee’s 2015 satire, Chi-Raq, hosting Saturday Night Live the following year, and releasing a series of acclaimed Netflix stand-up specials in 2017.

Winona Ryder

Winona Ryder took a brief break from acting in the wake of media scrutiny following her shoplifting case. After her role in 2002’s S1m0ne, she narrated the 2003 documentary, The Day My God Died, and had an uncredited cameo in 2004’s The Heart Is Deceitful Above All Things before returning in 2006 with The Darwin Awards and A Scanner Darkly. Of course, her big comeback came a decade later with her main role in Netflix’s Stranger Things.

Tom Holland

The Marvel Cinematic Universe's Spider-Man actor, Tom Holland, announced that he was taking a break from acting after filming his dark role in 2023’s The Crowded Room. It was revealed the following year that he was cast in Christopher Nolan’s adaptation of The Odyssey.

Rachel McAdams

Rachel McAdams has taken a few brief, periodic breaks throughout her career. For instance, at the dawn of her busy A-list status, she did not appear in a movie between 2005’s The Family Stone and 2007’s Married Life. She later took another two-year hiatus between 2018’s Game Night and the Netflix comedy Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga.

Phoebe Cates

Phoebe Cates was one of the most popular stars of the 1980s, with memorable roles in the likes of the horror-comedy classic, Gremlins, and the high school movie favorite, Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Her popularity did not repeat in the '90s because, after starring in the title role of 1994’s Princess Caraboo, she would retire from acting, only to return just once more for 2001’s The Anniversary Party.

Gaby Hoffmann

Gaby Hoffmann came to prominence at a very young age with roles in enduring classics like Uncle Buck, Field of Dreams, Now and Then, and Sleepless in Seattle. Later in life, she did not appear in a movie between 2001’s Perfume and 2007’s Severed Ways, and eventually made a more memorable comeback with Emmy-nominated turns on Girls and Transparent.

Jim Carrey

After playing Dr. Robotnik in 2020's Sonic the Hedgehog, Jim Carrey's only acting roles since would be reprisals of the role for sequels to the video game movie. Perhaps this should be considered the retirement he had announced in 2022.

Emma Watson

Playing Hermione Granger in the Harry Potter movies made Emma Watson one of the biggest stars in the world. However, she would step away from acting for a while after starring in 2019’s Little Women as Meg March.

Chuck Norris

After starring in a straight-to-video action film called The Cutter and reprising Cordell Walker in a TV special called Walker, Texas Ranger: Trial By Fire in 2005, Chuck Norris took a break from acting. He would later to return in 2012 for an appearance in The Expendables 2.

The massive SNL50 anniversary special has been in the rearview mirror of the 2025 TV schedule for some time now. However, there have still been bevy of stories surfacing, which double down on just how great it was. As we move towards the end of SNL50’s lineup of hosts and musical guests, those memories will be added to the hypothetical scrapbook this year has yielded. Among the best elements, however, was arguably Eddie Murphy's appearance in the "Scared Straight" sketch.

Frequent Saturday Night Live host and veteran writer John Mulaney seems to have enjoyed Eddie Murphy’s performances during that February primetime event. When Mulaney recently returned to the Conan O’ Brien Needs A Friend podcast, where he offered a piece of comedy geek analysis on the "Scared Straight." I was also pleasantly surprised when Mulaney mentioned when detail I never considered:

I can't believe I didn't realize that! The irony of Murphy's "All the Way Ray" not having his hair fully braided, despite his name is obvious. On the other hand, it's so subtle, and it's an incredibly cheeky piece of work.

The bedrock of Saturday Night Live, right from that first show on October 11, 1975, has always included room for a “dumb joke” told with panache. On that note, when it comes to Eddie Murphy’s funniest SNL lines, he certainly knows how to nail his delivery. That's one of the reasons why he was such a popular cast member between 1980 and 1984.

Obviously, those with a Peacock subscription can watch this “Scared Straight” sketch from the SNL50 special with no problem. Since we’re all here anyway, though, and there’s never a bad time for a good laugh, here’s the sketch John Mulaney was talking about:

“Scared Straight” is pretty much the textbook example of a Saturday Night Live sketch that’s built on a “dumb joke,” but gets so much mileage if the right performer is in the driver’s seat. Given that, seeing Eddie Murphy teamed with Kenan Thompson as a fellow prisoner, and then later adding Will Ferrell to the mix, really cranks up the laughs.

I totally believe Conan O’Brien’s recollection of watching Eddie Murphy with that 50th anniversary shindig being "mesmerizing," because watching a legendary cast member of this stature at work must be like watching magic. Then again, that whole weekend seemed to be imbued with something special, as suggested by that viral Jon Hamm SNL concert story where a lucky seatfiller had the night of their life.

That’s just part of the magic that comes with Saturday Night Live’s chaotic late-night history. Since John Mulaney and others continue to hold it in such high regard, I’d like to think we’ll continue to see that happen for some time. With both clever sketch writing, or in the case of Ego Nwodim’s recent brush with profane SNL crowd participation, that’s an assumption you could put some money on.

For now, though, you can enjoy this American comedic institution at 11:35 PM ET, either on NBC or Peacock’s live stream, on the same night it’s always inhabited for 50 years.

It’s an exciting time to be a movie fan because there’s so many actors in their 20s and 30s who are proving to have A-list star quality – from Timothée Chalamet to Zendaya, Florence Pugh and Glen Powell, or Jenna Ortega and Sydney Sweeney. I’m a big fan of all those names, but it’s time to talk about how we should be naming Keke Palmer among them. Sure, she falls into the category of child stars who made a comeback, but Palmer has too many huge and exciting projects on the way to be called anything but one of the biggest young actresses in Hollywood.

Earlier this year, Keke Palmer of course starred in One Of Them Days with SZA, which actually crushed at the box office with a $51 million worldwide haul against a reported $14 million budget. While certainly audiences were looking for a good comedy to start their year, I think undoubtedly Palmer was a huge selling point for the film, and women in the industry who are doing it like Keke Palmer are few and far between.

I Can’t Get Over How Funny Keke Palmer Is In One Of Them Days

When I walked out of One Of Them Days when it hit theaters in January, I was just happy. Along with critics having a blast with it, I had such a good time at the movies watching Palmer and SZA’s buddy comedy. I know I’m going to return to it when I need a few belly laughs, because there just aren't enough female buddy comedies like it. The movie proved further that there’s no shot Palmer has “no charisma” like her character says about herself as the down-on-their-luck besties hilariously tried to come up with their rent in the matter of hours.

The movie then arrived for those with a Netflix subscription at the end of March, and shot right to the top of Netflix’s top 10, making it one of the most popular movies being streamed at the moment. What makes the Netflix domination better is how much the movie deserves to reach its status.

Next, Palmer Is Set To Keep Her ‘Good Fortune’ In A Comedy Alongside Keanu Reeves And Seth Rogen

In honor of Keke Palmer finding huge success with a comedy, which is very hard to do in the present landscape in Hollywood, I decided to hunt around for what she’s up to next, and boy, was I not bummed out. Even though Keke Palmer has the baggage of being on Nickelodeon as a kid and recently became a first-time mother herself, she’s clearly hustling and being sought after with what she has next.

Her next project set to be released, which is among upcoming 2025 movies coming out in October, is another comedy called Good Fortune. The movie -- written and directed by Aziz Ansari -- will have Palmer starring alongside Keanu Reeves, Seth Rogen and Sandra Oh! Is Palmer here to revive the theatrical comedy? I think she might be.

Anyway, in Good Fortune Reeves playing an angel named Gabriel who has Ansari’s and Rogen’s characters body swap to show the former struggling man that money won’t solve his problems. It leads Gabriel to lose his wings and all sorts of mayhem to occur following his actions. I’m so ready for this.

She's Also Going To Team Up With Eddie Murphy For A Movie!!

Another upcoming project that Palmer has under her belt will have her actually collaborating with comedy legend, Eddie Murphy. It’s a heist movie called The Pickup from the director of The Blackening and the Ride Along movies. It’s an Amazon Prime movie that also has Pete Davidson and Eva Longoria involved, so you know it’s going to be a funny one. I just need to see this pair’s chemistry like right now!

I’m Also Hyped For The Filmmaker She’s Working With On An Upcoming Sci-Fi Comedy

I was also excited to read that Keke Palmer will be the star of Boots Riley’s next movie, I Love Boosters, with Demi Moore, LaKeith Stanfield, Naomi Ackie, Eiza González, Poppy Liu, Taylour Paige and Will Poulter. The film is apparently about a group of shoplifters who target a fashion icon. Boots Riley directed a movie called Sorry To Bother You in 2018 that was absolutely wild and riveting, and I love that Palmer is getting a chance to be in more auteur projects alongside some pure fun comedies. I mean she was just incredible in Jordan Peele’s Nope, she deserves the range she’s getting in her career.

And, She Also Signed On For A Remake Of One Of My Favorite Weird ‘80s Movies

As if all those projects in and of themselves aren’t exciting already, per a Variety report from this past September, Palmer has also signed on to star in a remake of The Burbs for Peacock. I know it’s not one of the most popular '80s movies, but I watched the original The Burbs movie, which stars Tom Hanks, Carrie Fisher, Bruce Dern and Corey Feldman, when I was growing up and I loved its weird, dark humor.

If you’re not hip to it, it’s about residents of a suburban neighborhood who start to suspect their neighbors are ritualistic murderers. While Palmer is doing all sorts of original stories not based on any IPs, I definitely can’t wait to see her spin on this classic, because I actually think she’s one of the few people who could really make it as funny (or funnier) than the cult classic.

I'm So Just Happy Keke Palmer Is Becoming A Bona Fide Movie Star Now, As She Should

Didn’t I tell you Keke Palmer is absolutely on fire? Of course, I don’t know at this point which of these movies will actually be good and which one’s might bomb, but I think her upcoming resume really shows how big a star Palmer is. And, it’s time for the public to recognize Keke Palmer as such, because it feels like she’s only just now starting to get her flowers!

When it comes to box office stars of the 1990s, few names come close to the reach and power of Will Smith. With hit after hit, one culturally impactful movie after another, and an unmatched energy, the “Fresh Prince” reached heights not experienced since Eddie Murphy a decade earlier. And Smith, as well as the rest of us, have the all-time great SNL alum and foul-mouthed comedian to thank for that.

In the new two-part documentary, Number One on the Call Sheet, which recently became available for anyone with an Apple TV+ subscription, the leading man from some of the best ‘90s movies opened up about the time he told his team he wanted to be “Eddie Murphy in Star Wars” and how it impacted his career. Here’s the story about Smith’s motivation and how it led to two of the best sci-fi movies of all time.

What Will Smith Said About Eddie Murphy In Number One On The Call Sheet

Number One on the Call Sheet is a tremendous Apple TV+ original documentary exploring the lives, careers, and legacies of some of Hollywood’s biggest Black actors and actresses of all time. With engaging interviews with the likes of Eddie Murphy, Morgan Freeman, and Laurence Fishburne, the first part – "Black Leading Men in Hollywood," directed by Reginald Hudlin – is full of great stories, insights, and personal philosophies on life and the industry. But one story I keep coming back to is Will Smith talking about being a young and hungry actor and wanting to be like his hero:

In the brief section, Smith, who would go on to play several of the most iconic ‘90s movie characters and create his own legacy of success, couldn’t stop gushing about the man who had the biggest impact on him. And if you look at Smith’s career, with his mix of comedic roles and dramatic parts, it’s easy to see how his “Eddie Murphy in Star Wars” comment went beyond just great ‘90s sci-fi flicks.

How Will Smith's Admiration For Eddie Murphy Led To Two Of His Biggest Blockbusters

Though Will Smith has had more memorable roles than just about any of his contemporaries, he will always be attached to Independence Day and Men in Black, which are still two of his most successful, and culturally significant, movies to this day. According to The Numbers, Independence Day, one of the best performers of 1996 brought in $817.4 million worldwide, while Men in Black, released the following summer, had $587.8 million in box office receipts. Though neither is technically Star Wars, this one desire to replicate Eddie Murphy’s success in the sci-fi game turned out to be incredibly profitable for Smith and the industry as a whole.

Smith would have certainly found success – he was already a big star with The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and Bad Boys before making Independence Day – but it’s hard to say one way or another if he would have reached the same heights without Murphy inspiring him to go bigger and bolder with his roles.

Both parts of Number One of the Call Sheet (the second focuses on Black actresses in Hollywood) are streaming on Apple TV+. If you want hilarious and insightful stories from some of the best in the game, this doc will do the trick.

Eddie Murphy emerged as a superstar on Saturday Night Live through his various performances as original characters and his impersonations of celebrities. Eventually, he made the shift to film in the ‘80s and ‘90s, and Murphy's funniest movie characters like Professor Sherman Klump in The Nutty Professor and Prince Akeem in Coming to America ultimately made waves. Amid the sea of comedies, Murphy was apparently also offered a meaty dramatic role, though the great Sidney Poitier told him to decline.

The two-part documentary film called Number One on the Call Sheet, which just became available to Apple TV+ subscription holders, sees renowned Black stars discussing their experiences in Hollywood. In the doc, Eddie Murphy revealed the time he was presented with the opportunity to join a film that was ultimately directed by Spike Lee:

One of James Earl Jones’ greatest performances was actually playing author Alex Haley in the book adaptation miniseries Roots and Roots: The Next Generations. So, needless to say, that role carried some heft, and it would've been a major change of pace for Eddie Murphy at that point in his career. Still, Murphy had plenty of talent, and I can understand why Norman Jewison would've wanted him to join the project while he was still attached to it.

As the Academy Award nominee went on to explain in the doc, he eventually told Sidney Poitier about the gig. Poitier wasn't too thrilled with the prospect of the comedian playing Alex Haley, and he explained just why:

Ultimately, Alex Haley was not depicted in Malcolm X, with only his book being used as the film’s source material. It seemed the Dr. Dolittle star may have been confused about whether Sidney Poitier was complimenting or insulting him. My interpretation of the advice, though, would be that Poitier was saying Eddie Murphy is an actor with his own brand of charisma and genius. Poitier likely meant that instead of conforming to traditionally dramatic actors like Denzel Washington and Morgan Freeman, Murphy should stay true to his vibe.

The Shrek actor would indeed continue to be a Hollywood standout but for both his comedic roles as well as dramatic ones. He's also become one of a select group of actors whose movies have brought in more than $2 billion, collectively. I'd say that Mr. Murphy is a singular talent and has paved the way for future generations of Black actors to take on major Hollywood roles.

It's probably best that we're not too hard on the late Sidney Poitier either, as he was likely just trying to be helpful. After all, he was aware of being a rarity in Hollywood, as the Bahamian-American actor’s portrayals of intelligent, confident men are what led him to become the first Black actor to win the Academy Award for Best Actor. So, while it's easy to think about the road not taken, I'd say that Eddie Murphy isn't worse off for not having been in Malcolm X.

The next time you watch a comedy movie, see if you can picture the star engaging in fisticuffs with a criminal and taking down their henchpeople in a shootout. You never know: they could be Hollywood’s next great action hero.

It may seem unlikely until you realize that many of the best action movies and TV shows of all time have been led by or featured pivotal roles played by stand-up comedians or actors who broke through in funny flicks or even classic TV sitcoms. See for yourself by taking a look at some comedically talented actors who beat the odds by becoming action stars.

Will Smith

After initially coming to prominence as a rap artist, Academy Award winner Will Smith proved he had a charismatic onscreen presence as the star of the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air cast in the early 1990s. In 1995, he was cast in director Michael Bay's buddy cop movie, Bad Boys, and, the following year, led Roland Emmerich's action-packed alien invasion flick, Independence Day. There would soon be so much more where those came from.

Cheech Marin

Along with his partner, Tommy Chong, Cheech Marin essentially became the face of stoner comedy, especially after co-leading the classic '70s movie, Up in Smoke. His career would take a turn when he appeared in 1995's Desperado, leading him to become a staple of Robert Rodriguez's movies, and, eventually, began portraying a type of character his roles from the Cheech & Chong movies would try to avoid alongside Don Johnson in the hit cop show, Nash Bridges.

Chris Pratt

By channeling much of the same comedic energy from his scene-stealing breakout role in the Parks and Recreation cast as Andy Dwyer, Chris Pratt helped make 2014's sci-fi odyssey, Guardians of the Galaxy, a light breath of fresh air into the Marvel Cinematic Universe. His fun, heartfelt performance as Peter "Star-Lord" Quill also convinced Hollywood he was leading man material, opening the door for him to star in the Jurassic World movies and Amazon Prime's The Terminal List, to name a few.

Paul Rudd

Paul Rudd made his major motion picture debut in the hilarious high school movie classic Clueless before later hit comedies like Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy, The 40-Year-Old Virgin, and Knocked Up made him one of Hollywood's most sought-after actors in the genre. He found the perfect role to become inducted into the MCU in the form of Ant-Man, playing the shrinking superhero with the same everyman quality that made him an A-lister.

Michael Keaton

Because Michael Keaton got his start in stand-up comedy and had been best known for movies like Night Shift and Mr. Mom at the time, comic book fans were up in arms over Tim Burton's decision to cast him in his live-action Batman movies, Batman and Batman Returns. The Oscar nominee has since been regarded as one of the best actors to play the Dark Knight (if not the best) and would even return to superhero movies as one of the best Spider-Man movie villains, Vulture, in 2017's Spider-Man: Homecoming.

Nicolas Cage

It is easy to forget that Nicolas Cage started out in comedies like Valley Girl and Peggy Sue Got Married before blowing us away in high-octane thrillers like Con Air, Face/Off, and Gone in 60 Seconds. Then again, it is also easy to tell that the Oscar winner has a comedy background from some of his action movie credits, including the three listed above and his even Cagier roles, like from Mandy and Willy's Wonderland.

Damon Wayans

You may have forgotten he was on Saturday Night Live, but you should surely remember Damon Wayans from his days on the In Living Color cast and from sitcoms like My Wife and Kids. Hopefully, you did not also forget about his roles in '90s crime thrillers The Last Boy Scout (opposite Bruce Willis) and Bulletproof (opposite Adam Sandler) or when he took over as Roger Murtaugh for Fox's series adaptation of Lethal Weapon.

Robert Downey Jr.

After lasting one season on Saturday Night Live, appearing in several '80s teen comedies like Weird Science, and earning his first Oscar nod for playing Charlie Chaplin, Robert Downey Jr.'s career would hit a snag in the early 2000s. Luckily, he would make an inspiring comeback after leading the 2005 noir thriller Kiss Kiss Bang Bang before kicking off the Marvel Cinematic Universe in the title role of Iron Man and playing Guy Ritchie's version of Sherlock Holmes.

Eddie Murphy

Many credit Eddie Murphy with single-handedly saving Saturday Night Live in the early 1980s, right before making his feature debut alongside Nick Nolte in Walter Hill's 1982 buddy crime thriller, 48 Hrs. Just two years later, the comedian led his own acclaimed action-comedy movie called Beverly Hills Cop, which made him Hollywood's biggest star.

Bruce Willis

In the mid-to-late 1980s, Bruce Willis was best known for playing David Addison on Moonlighting, starring opposite Kim Basinger in Blind Date, and appearing in commercials for Seagram, which is why audiences initially laughed when they saw him as John McClane in the trailer for Die Hard. However, the 1988 action classic would immediately skyrocket the actor to stardom and turn him into a top Hollywood action star, later known for leading thrillers like The Fifth Element, Armageddon, and Sin City.

Jamie Foxx

Jamie Foxx's stand-up career led him to join the In Living Color cast and lead his own self-titled sitcom before his Oscar-winning performance in the 2004 music biopic, Ray, and Oscar-nominated performance in Collateral the same year opened wider doors for him. He went on to star in more thrillers like Jarhead, The Kingdom, Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained, The Amazing Spider-Man 2 as Electro, and White House Down.

Alan Ritchson

One of Alan Ritchson's first major acting credits was playing doltish college football player Thad Castle on the uproarious sitcom Blue Mountain State before landing a small role in The Hunger Games: Catching Fire, doing performance capture for the 2014 and 2017 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles movies, and playing Hank "Hawk" Hall on Titans. The 6'3" actor's defining, star-making turn came when he was cast in the title role of the hit Amazon Prime TV show, Reacher, leading to his casting in Guy Ritchie's The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare.

Lucy Liu

Lucy Liu landed her breakthrough role on the hit workplace dramedy Ally McBeal as Ling Woo. Soon after, she achieved cinematic stardom in 2000's Charlie's Angels, teamed up with Antonio Banderas in the 2002 spy thriller Ballistic: Ecks vs. Sever, and was cast as ruthless assassin O-Ren Ishii in Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill.

Bob Odenkirk

Bob Odenkirk wrote for Saturday Night Live for years in the 1980s before co-leading his own acclaimed sketch comedy series with David Cross called Mr. Show, which was his main claim to fame for years. However, he stumbled onto a new career path when he joined the Breaking Bad cast as Saul Goodman, who earned his own prequel spin-off called Better Call Saul, before leading his own action flick called Nobody.

Martin Lawrence

Martin Lawrence led a successful stand-up career that turned into a successful TV career with his hit sitcom, Martin, in between starring in movies like Do the Right Thing and Boomerang. In 1995, he played Det. Marcus Burnett, for the first of multiple times in Bad Boys and even went on to play a cop in a few more overt comedies, namely Blue Streak and Big Momma's House.

Ryan Reynolds

For years, even after starring in more earnest thrillers like Smokin' Aces and Safe House, it seemed like Ryan Reynolds' defining performance would forever be the title role of National Lampoon's Van Wilder, which paved the way for him to star in more raunchy comedies like Waiting... or Just Friends. However, that would change in 2016 when he led Deadpool, which is still very much on the side of silly but is also as action-packed as any other comic book movie.

Sam Richardson

Sam Richardson quickly became a favorite in the comedy landscape for his hilarious performances in shows like I Think You Should Leave, Veep, and Ted Lasso. He would later go on to impress audiences in Amazon Prime's action-packed time travel movie The Tomorrow War opposite Chris Pratt, as the lead of the 2021 horror-comedy movie Werewolves Within, and in Paramount+'s Star Trek: Section 31.

Keanu Reeves

As the star of franchises like the John Wick movies and the Matrix films, in addition to favorites like Speed and Point Break, Keanu Reeves is one of the most prolific action stars in cinema history. Thus, it is sometimes hard to believe that he is the same actor who, excellently, played one-half of the titular duo from the Bill & Ted movies.

John Goodman

John Goodman began rising to prominence on the groundbreaking sitcom Roseanne as Dan Conner (whom he would reprise in the revival series The Conners). However, he has managed to cover just about every genre you can think of throughout his career, including action films like Kong: Skull Island and Atomic Blonde.

Emily Blunt

It might seem like a stretch to call Emily Blunt a comedy star, but she did find her breakthrough film role with a hilarious scene-stealing performance in 2006's The Devil Wears Prada. She would later prove she could play someone with a rougher exterior when she starred opposite Tom Cruise in the thrilling time loop movie, Edge of Tomorrow, and in Denis Villeneuve's stunning Sicario.

Rick Moranis

Rick Moranis is one of the most treasured comedic actors of his time, from his days at SCTV starring alongside Dave Thomas as the McKenzie Brothers (who led their own 1983 movie, Strange Brew), to appearing in films like Ghostbusters, Little Shop of Horrors, and Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. In the middle of those comedy classics was a role in Walter Hill's dystopian "Rock 'n Roll fable," Streets of Fire.

Bill Burr

Bill Burr used to mock the Star Wars movies in some of his stand-up bits, which gave The Mandalorian creator Jon Favreau a funny idea to bring him into the galaxy far, far away. He cast the Massachusetts-born comedian on the series as a mercenary named Migs Mayfield, which Burr has since recognized as one of the highlights of his career.

John Leguizamo

Despite getting his start as a stand-up comedian, many of John Leguizamo's earliest acting roles have actually been in action movies, including Die Hard 2 and Executive Decision. In addition to more humorous credits, like To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar and the Ice Age movies, more thrillers would come his way, such as the John Wick movies and Violent Night.

Owen Wilson

Owen Wilson may be closely associated with comedies like Bottle Rocket, Meet the Parents, and Zoolander, but the actor has diversified his talents over various styles. He has even tried his hand at the action genre a few times, most notably in Behind Enemy Lines, No Escape, and Disney+'s MCU-canon series, Loki

Tom Hanks

Tom Hanks' first major show business breakthrough was a sitcom called Bosom Buddies, which led to roles in comedy films like Bachelor Party and Turner & Hooch. It was his Oscar-winning roles in Philadelphia and Forrest Gump that opened the door for him to star in intense dramas like the acclaimed war movie Saving Private Ryan and the sci-fi epic Cloud Atlas.

Val Kilmer

Some of Val Kilmer's most iconic roles include Iceman in Top Gun, Doc Holliday in the Western movie classic Tombstone, and the title role of Batman Forever. However, his breakthrough films were the ridiculous spy parody, Top Secret!, and the college comedy, Real Genius, in the early-to-mid 1980s.

Mila Kunis

Mila Kunis rose to fame as Jackie Burkhart in the That '70s Show cast and as the voice of Meg on Family Guy before acquiring A-list fame. Her action movie credits, namely the video game movie adaptation Max Payne and the Wachowski's ambitious sci-fi adventure, Jupiter Ascending, have not been her most esteemed efforts, but we will still count them.

Randall Park

Randall Park is best known for leading the sitcom Fresh off the Boat, his hilarious cameo on The Office as "Asian Jim Halpert," and for hit comedy movies like The Interview and Neighbors. He has also become a staple of the comic book movie genre with his role in the MCU as Agent Jimmy Woo and as Dr. Shin in the Aquaman movies.

Shia LaBeouf

Shia LaBeouf started making a name for himself when he was a teen as Louis on the Disney Channel original comedy series, Even Stevens. He went on to make a Hollywood breakthrough in the Transformers movies, which led to his roles in Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and, eventually, David Ayer's 2014 war drama, Fury.

Malin Akerman

Before she became the first actor to play Silk Spectre II in live-action in 2009's Watchmen, Malin Akerman rose to fame in comedy movies like 2007's The Heartbreak Kid and shows like Children's Hospital.

Jim Belushi

Just like his late older brother, John, Jim Belushi broke out on Saturday Night Live. Unlike John, Jim achieved a brief career in action movies, such as Red Heat with Arnold Schwarzenegger, The Principal, and Oliver Stone's Salvador.

Ernest Borgnine

Ernest Borgnine was already an Oscar-winning movie star when he was cast as the lead of the hit sitcom, McHale's Navy. Eventually, he would appear in more earnest action-oriented titles, such as a made-for-TV adaptation of All Quiet on the Western Front, John Carpenter's Escape from New York, and 2010's RED.

Fred Rogers of Mister Rogers' Neighborhood was truly one of the friendliest men in the public eye and cemented his place as a PBS and children's television staple (as relayed in the semi-factual A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood). So much so, the kind-hearted host and his gentle ways have had plenty of spoofs parodying his long-running series (1968-2001). Among the bunch has been Saturday Night Live’s Mr. Robinson, created by Eddie Murphy. The Mister Rogers' star revealed that he was appreciative and amused by the sketch entitled "Mr. Robinson's Neighborhood," in a true but neighborly fashion.

As part of SNL’s big 50th reunion celebration on the 2025 TV schedule, the SNL team (via NBC Insider) recounted one of the funniest recurring characters, Eddie Murphy’s Mr. Robinson. Murphy’s comedic take on the kids' show personality was created during Season 6 and appeared throughout his tenure on the show (and one of the characters he revived for his 2019 episode). There were a few mirroring aspects, such as the way he spoke and his shoe-tying habits, but it essentially stopped there. Mr. Robinson’s existence humorously played off of the realistic juxtapositions of the two fictional worlds.

While on The Late Show with David Letterman in 1982, Fred Rogers got to weigh in on the myriad of others impersonating him, including the late-night sketch show’s iteration. The kids' show host and author shared a photo of him and Murphy together, taken earlier that day, saying it was great to meet the Raw comedian. He then got into how he felt about others’ renditions of him in the most Mister Rogers way, wryly responding with honesty and kindness (via People):

What an iconic and fun response! He also noted during the interview that the only take on him he didn’t like was someone on a radio show encouraging children to use hairspray and lighters together. Knowing just how kind the TV personality was, on the show and off, it’s great to hear that he found the 30 Rock version to be humorous.

I’m not surprised he enjoyed the spoofs, though; the Mr. Robinson sketches are some top-tier material. I wouldn’t expect the Fred Rogers I grew up watching to be anything but pleased and receptive of the great SNL take. If you haven’t caught the signature Eddie Murphy Mr. Rogers parodies, they all are streamable with your Peacock subscription.

And don’t forget the 50th season continues this weekend, March 29, with Mikey Madison and Morgan Wallen as their first returning upcoming hosts and musical acts, respectively. Tune in on the night at 11:30 p.m. EST, or stream it the following day with a Peacock account.

Andy Samberg has been a Saturday Night Live icon for years, and he absolutely crushed it while being heavily featured during the SNL 50 broadcast. Specifically, the former Brooklyn Nine-Nine actor starred in a sketch about SNL cast members all having anxiety, which Samberg has been candid about experiencing as a cast member, and it's gone viral. After the broadcast, he reunited with some of the biggest names in the show’s history and got a chance to chat with Billy Crystal. So, Samberg took the opportunity to ask about Crystal’s experience with anxiety during his time on the show, and he offered interesting insight.

After the historic television event on the 2025 TV schedule, Andy Samberg and the rest of The Lonely Island recapped their night on The Lonely Island and Seth Meyers Podcast. Samberg mentioned chatting with Billy Crystal after his “Anxiety” sketch, which is quickly becoming one of the best SNL digital shorts. He asked the comedian if he ever felt the nerves during his brief stint as a cast member, explaining:

The SNL work environment is famously intense, especially considering the stressful production schedule and writing traditions that involve pulling all-nighters in the days leading up to the show. The situation has been known to give cast members anxiety, and many have opened up about their mental health during their time on the show.

For example, Bill Hader has been very vocal about his anxiety while starring on SNL, and the experience was relatable enough to result in a whole sketch about the live-TV stress.

However, not many of the older cast members have talked about it, and Seth Meyers was curious if other people experienced this as well. He said:

Upon reflection, Samberg realized that the pressures he and his fellow cast members had during their tenures were very different from what Crystal went through in the '80s.

The Palm Springs actor explained that the When Harry Met Sally star was a part of one of the best single-season SNL casts, but it was mostly made up of established comedians at the time, who had careers outside the show. As a result, there probably wasn’t as much pressure. He explained:

This was a stark difference from what modern SNL looks like, where the cast is made up mostly of unknown comic minds hoping that the NBC sketch show will be their big break. Their airtime and ability to stay on the show is contingent on how many sketches they are in, the virality of their characters, and their ability to write sketches that end up making the show. It is incredibly tense, and naturally results in some mental health challenges.

Even with anxious cast members, SNL still manages to be funny and relevant every week. The 50th anniversary special might be over, but the show still has plenty of exciting hosts and musical guests for the 50th season to get excited about, so make sure to check out SNL on Saturday at 11:30 p.m. ET on NBC. You can also revisit the anniversary broadcast and past seasons with a Peacock subscription.

A few years ago, Seth Green revealed that he had an upsetting experience while working with Bill Murray as a child actor. When he was on an episode of Saturday Night Live as a nine-year-old, Green says that Murray grabbed him by the ankles and dangled him over a trash can – an event that he says left him horrified and hiding in his dressing room. It's a terrible memory, but he credits advice from the legendary Eddie Murphy for helping him recover from the moment.

Green recently reflected on his encounter with Bill Murray during an interview with ComicBook.com – the actor presently celebrating the 20th anniversary of his Adult Swim series Robot Chicken. Reflecting on what happened, he said that he doesn't wish any negativity toward Murray, and as scary as the encounter was, he recalls the night as being a major turning point in his life. He explained,

Now 51 years old, Seth Green appeared in the 1981/1982 season of Saturday Night Live when Bill Murray was hosting. He was emotionally distraught following his behind-the-scenes encounter with the comedian, but he says that it was cast members Eddie Murphy and Tim Kazurinsky who successfully talked him into being a part of the show:

Since then, of course, Seth Green has continued to have consistent success in the entertainment industry. He earned a lot of fans for his turn as Oz on Buffy The Vampire Slayer and has continued to be a presence on television for decades while also making movies like the Austin Powers trilogy, Idle Hands and the star-ridden Can't Hardly Wait. As a voice actor, he has played Chris Griffin in over 400 episodes of Family Guy to date and was introduced as the Marvel Cinematic Universe's Howard The Duck in 2014's Guardians Of The Galaxy (a role he has reprised multiple times in the years since).

And should you like to join Seth Green in celebrating the anniversary of Robot Chicken, which he co-created with Matthew Senreich, all 11 seasons of the stop-motion animated show are available to stream with a Hulu subscription.

Some of the most extraordinary performances in movie or TV history have seen the actor completely disappear into a role, not only changing their appearance but also adopting a voice almost entirely different from their own. Take a look at some of the most impressive voice alterations that an actor took on to perfect their unique portrayal of a now iconic character (or characters).

Robert De Niro (Cape Fear)

One thing that makes the 1991 remake of Cape Fear one of the most amusing Martin Scorsese/Robert De Niro collaborations is the actor's approach to playing Max Cady. The Academy Award-winning Italian-American dons a thick, over-the-top Southern accent but is still no less chilling as the sadistic, recently released convict seeking revenge on the defense attorney (Nick Nolte) who put him away.

Lupita Nyong'o (Us)

One of the scariest modern horror movie villains is Red (Lupita Nyong'o) from writer and director Jordan Peele's 2019 sophomore feature, Us. The Academy Award winner brilliantly differentiates the vengeful, "tethered" person from her above-ground double, Adelaide, and gives her an even more unsettling presence, with a raspy voice inspired by a condition called spasmodic dysphonia, which inhibits airflow and is commonly a symptom of traumatic experiences.

Daniel Day-Lewis (Lincoln)

As he would with any other role, Daniel Day-Lewis went to great lengths to become the sixteenth President of the United States for his Oscar-winning performance in Steven Spielberg's 2012 biopic, Lincoln. He even made sure to match Honest Abe's voice, which was high-pitched and reedy (according to the Library of Congress), as opposed to the low bellow many previous portrayals mistakenly attempted.

Mel Blanc (Looney Tunes)

To this day, it is almost shocking to learn that most of the original Looney Tunes characters were brought to life by just one actor. Until he passed away in 1989, Mel Blanc provided the diverse voices of Bugs Bunny, Daffy Duck, Elmer Fudd, and plenty more favorites under the Warner Bros. animation umbrella.

Austin Butler (Elvis)

The key to portraying Elvis Presley is nailing his distinct Southern drawl, which Austin Butler went to great lengths to perfect when he was cast as the influential musician in Baz Luhrmann's 2022 biopic. The work he put into the voice seemed to have a lasting effect on the actor, whom audiences could not help but notice continued to speak in the same accent during public appearances.

Seth MacFarlane (Various)

In addition to being one of the creative forces behind two of TV's longest-running hit animated shows for grown-ups, Seth MacFarlane is also responsible for bringing many of their most important characters to life. He voices Peter, Stewie, and Quagmire on Family Guy and plays Stan and Roger on American Dad – all of whom require him to be completely unrecognizable, while Family Guy's Brian is no different from his real voice.

Catherine O’Hara (Schitt's Creek)

What makes Moira Rose (Catherine O'Hara) one of the funniest characters on Schitt's Creek is the way she pronounces certain words with her over-the-top, posh accent. Classic examples include "baby" (beh-beh) and "enchiladas" (ahn-chuh-lah-dahs).

Jim Carrey (How The Grinch Stole Christmas)

It is still sometimes hard to believe that it is Jim Carrey playing the title role in Ron Howard's live-action adaptation of Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas from 2000. Not only is he covered head-to-toe with green skin and matching fur in the Christmas movie classic but the comedic mastermind disguises his voice with an accent that earned comparisons to Sean Connery, as he told Entertainment Weekly.

Eddie Murphy (Coming To America)

Eddie Murphy started a career staple of playing multiple roles in the same movie with 1988's Coming to America. He dons an African accent to play Prince Akeem and brings his voice to higher octaves as Randy Watson and Clarence, but he undergoes the most intensive alteration of both his appearance and voice when playing elderly barber shop patron, Saul.

Heath Ledger (The Dark Knight)

The Dark Knight is a superhero movie that won Oscars for Sound Editing and for Heath Ledger's astonishing, transformative performance as The Joker. No matter how many times you watch Christopher Nolan's acclaimed 2008 sequel to Batman Begins, it is always shocking to hear that wheezy, menacing voice coming from the late Australian actor.

Dan Castellaneta (The Simpsons)

If you have ever seen any of comedian Dan Castellaneta's live-action acting credits, it might shock you to learn that his most famous role is Homer Simpson. However, the Simpsons cast member provides the voice of plenty more characters than the infantile, Duff-swilling family man, including Grampa Simpson, Krusty the Clown, and Groundskeeper Willie.

Bill Skarsgård (Nosferatu)

Bill Skarsgård is no stranger to dramatically altering his appearance and his voice for the sake of scaring the living daylights out of audiences, having played Pennywise in back-to-back creepy clown movies, It and It Chapter Two. However, his transformation into Count Orlok for Robert Eggers' 2024 reimagining of Nosferatu was an even more challenging process, requiring a month-and-a-half of vocal training to perfect the vampire's dread-inducing growl.

Joaquin Phoenix (Walk The Line)

Joaquin Phoenix did all of his own singing when portraying Johnny Cash in James Mangold's acclaimed music biopic, 2005's Walk the Line. While appearing on Late Night with Conan O'Brien that year, the future Oscar winner told the late night talk show host that he worked with a dialect coach to replicate the Man in Black's deep baritone voice as authentically as possible.

Amanda Seyfried (The Dropout)

For her Emmy-winning performance on the Hulu original true crime miniseries, The Dropout, Amanda Seyfried had the challenge of imitating the infamous low voice of Elizabeth Holmes, the founder and CEO of the fraudulent blood-testing company Theranos.

Hugh Jackman (X-Men)

Many have been shocked to learn that Hugh Jackman is an Australian as his most famous role is the Canadian-native, Adamantium-clawed mutant, Wolverine. Of course, the Tony winner does more than just drop his natural accent for the X-Men movies but also incorporates a deep, nigh-animalistic growl.

Stephanie Beatriz (Brooklyn Nine-Nine)

When Stephanie Beatriz debuted in the Brooklyn Nine-Nine cast, she used her natural, higher-tone voice to play Det. Rosa Diaz. However, over time, the character's voice became progressively deeper until the actor settled on a low, more gruff tone that better suited the cop's hard-edged exterior.

Christian Bale (The Dark Knight Trilogy)

To play the lead in Christopher Nolan's beloved live-action Batman movies, Christian Bale pulled double-duty on changing his voice. In addition to dropping his Welsh accent when appearing as Bruce Wayne, he adopted a gravelly, identity-concealing growl when patrolling Gotham as the Dark Knight.

Kristen Stewart (Spencer)

Kristen Stewart did more to earn her Academy Award nomination for portraying Princess Diana in the 2021 biopic, Spencer, than donning a blonde hairdo and an English accent. The actor revealed to Howard Stern that she went so far as to dramatically evolve her vocal inflection by opening her mouth more widely than she normally would and, as a result, practically altered her physical appearance in the film.

Phil LaMarr (The Adventures Of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius)

Prolific voice actor Phil LaMarr, in addition to his transformative characters as a MADtv cast member, has made himself unrecognizable for countless iconic animated roles, such as John "Green Lantern" Stewart on Justice League or the title hero of Samurai Jack. However, no blip on his resume is nearly as surprising as the recurring role of foreign exchange student Bolbi Stroganofsky on Nickelodeon's The Adventures of Jimmy Neutron: Boy Genius.

Mark Hamill (Batman: The Animated Series)

There are two different kinds of Mark Hamill fans. There are those who know the actor as Luke Skywalker from the Star Wars movies and then there are those who know him as The Joker on Batman: The Animated Series and many subsequent animated Batman movies. The voice he puts on for the role – a wonderful mix of comically over-the-top theatrics and scintillating intimidation – has been recognized as the definitive portrayal of the Clown Prince of Crime in the eyes of many DC fans.

Robin Williams (Popeye)

Robin Williams proved that he was the perfect choice to lead director Robert Altman's live-action adaptation of the Popeye comic strip. He matched the brave, spinach-swilling sailor's fast-paced growl, as originated by voice actor Billy Costello, to a tee in the 1980 film.

Maggie Wheeler (Friends)

Maggie Wheeler stole the show from the Friends cast with her recurring role as Janice Hosenstein, who was famous for her signature catchphrase, "Oh. My. GAWWWWWD!" What sold the character was her thick, nasally Brooklyn accent, which the actor came up with when she auditioned to play the character, as she revealed to Access Hollywood.

Idris Elba (Mandela: Long Walk To Freedom)

Idris Elba earned rave reviews for his portrayal of Nelson Mandela in the Oscar-nominated 2013 biopic, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. Being raised by West African immigrants helped the English-born actor develop an appropriate dialect to play the influential South African President, as he revealed to Oprah Winfrey.

Mia Goth (X)

Mia Goth played dual roles in Ti West's acclaimed A24 horror movie, 2022's X – both of which required her to conceal her mousy English accent. She spoke with a raspy Southern drawl as young aspiring starlet Maxine Minx and sounded similar, but significantly aged up, when playing homicidal elder, Pearl.

Megan Mullally (Will & Grace)

Megan Mullally absolutely earned her two Emmy Award wins for her committed performance as Karen Walker on the classic TV sitcom, Will & Grace. The key to the spoiled socialite's scene-stealing presence was her ear-piercing voice, which truly sounds nothing like the actor in real life.

Ana De Armas (Blonde)

Cuban-born actor Ana de Armas is known for having a strong accent, which she concealed in order to portray Marilyn Monroe in Blonde. Her commitment to matching the Hollywood icon's dialect in the 2022 Netflix original biopic would earn her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress in a Leading Role.

Billy West (Various)

Billy West could be called the Mel Blanc of his generation as he can claim to have played about as many memorable animated characters as the iconic voice actor behind much of the Looney Tunes line-up did. To list just a few of West's best-known credits, he was both of the title characters from The Ren & Stimpy Show, took over as Popeye at one time, led Futurama as Fry, and plenty more.

Nicole Kidman (Being The Ricardos)

Nicole Kidman's Academy Award-nominated portrayal of Lucille Ball in 2021's Being the Ricardos was achieved with more than just makeup. The actor shed her Australian accent and added a smokiness to match the I Love Lucy star's natural voice but was also challenged to imitate the more high-pitched tone of the comedy icon's onscreen alter ego.

Melissa Rauch (The Big Bang Theory)

Dr. Bernadette Maryann Rostenkowski-Wolowitz easily boasts one of the most impossibly high-pitched voices in sitcom history. However, The Big Bang Theory cast member Melissa Rauch actually sounds nothing like Howard Wolowitz's bride, yet maintained the façade convincingly for 10 seasons on the hit CBS comedy.

Chris Pratt (The Super Mario Bros. Movie)

Despite making "total sense" to the directors of Illumination's The Super Mario Bros. Movie, fans of the original Nintendo video game series had some initial hesitation over Chris Pratt's casting as the older Mario brother. However, the actor wisely avoided the plumber's stereotypical Italian dialect from the games in favor of a Brooklyn accent that effectively masked his natural voice.

Robert Pattinson (Mickey 17)

Robert Pattinson plays the title role of Bong Joon-ho's 2024 sci-fi comedy Mickey 17 with an entirely unrecognizable and, admittedly, kind of goofy voice. According to IndieWire, the English actor based the voice for his "expendable" character and his many clones off of comedian Steve-O.

Johnny Depp (Charlie And The Chocolate Factory)

Say what you want about Tim Burton's 2005 adaptation of Roald Dahl's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory but you have to admit that Johnny Depp did try something amusing with the role of Willy Wonka. To play the eccentric chocolatier, he adopted a high-pitched wheeze that almost makes you question if it really is the same guy who played Capt. Jack Sparrow under that top hat.

Eddie Murphy kept a relatively low professional profile during the 2010s but, over nearly the last six years, he’s been quite busy. Dolemite Is My Name, Coming 2 America and Candy Cane Lane are a few of the films he’s headlined as of late. His latest, however, is the well-reviewed Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, which made waves amongst Netflix subscription holders in 2024. Murphy already has another film in the can, but he’s now scored an additional follow-up to his legacy sequel, and the first details on the flick give me pause.

What New Movie Is Eddie Murphy Set To Lead?

It would seem that the 63-year-old actor is returning to the world of action comedy for his next cinematic endeavor. Mr. Murphy has reportedly inked a deal with Sony Pictures to lead the film Blue Falcon. Described as a two-handed by Deadline, the film will reportedly see the Trading Places star take on the role of a retired spy who comes back into conflict with an archrival. That confrontation all apparently goes down while Murphy’s character seeks to attend the wedding of his son, from whom he’s estranged.

The film was scripted by Chad St. John – whose past credits include Peppermint, Replicas and London Has Fallen. The Boomerang alum is also set to produce under his eponymous production banner. Aside from Blue Falcon, the A-lister is also looking towards the release of The Pickup, a heist film that also stars Pete Davidson and Keke Palmer. Filming took place last year, at which point “several” crew members were injured following a stunt gone wrong, leading to an investigation. Also, the actor has the highly anticipated Shrek 5 on the way.

The thought of having more Eddie Murphy content in my life is honestly sweet, and I’m loving that he’s been working consistently again. Still, there’s something nagging at me when it comes to this newest film.

Why Am I Concerned About Blue Falcon?

Eddie Murphy has starred in a variety of films over the course of his four-decade-spanning career. Of course, one could argue that he’s done a lot of buddy comedies, in particular, ranging from 48 Hrs. and Beverly Hills Cop to Showtime and I Spy. What concerns me about Blue Falcon is that this two-hander may deliver more of the same and not actually provide something fresh for the comedian. Don’t get me wrong, some of Murphy’s best movies feature dynamics between partners, but that doesn’t always work smoothly.

It should also be noted that that same kind of narrative template was used in Axel F via Axel Foley’s relationship with Det. Bobby Abbott – the former boyfriend of Foley’s daughter. Speaking of which, the Jerry Bruckheimer-produced film also featured an estranged child arc with Axel and his adult daughter, Jane. I thought it was handled reasonably well, but the thought of seeing the Oscar nominee in yet another story like that so soon is a bit weird.

To be fair, I shouldn’t get too ahead of myself, given that Blue Falcon is likely far from release, and I don’t have much to judge it on, except for that brief premise. What I’m just trying to say is that I’d love to see Eddie Murphy utilize some fresh and dynamic material. That’s one of the reasons I thought the acclaimed Dolemite was such a great swing. I’m not sure how this upcoming film will ultimately play out but, as a Murphy fan, I’ll surely see it when it’s eventually released.

Actors playing multiple roles in entertainment go back to the dawn of drama. Even the ancient Greeks did it. This is certainly true of the film era, where actors have been playing roles all the way back to the beginning. Sometimes it's as simple as playing twins, like Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin in Big Business, and sometimes it's more complex, like the great Peter Sellers playing three very different roles in Dr, Strangelove. In honor of those actors, here are some of our favorite examples of actors playing multiple roles in movies.

Peter Sellers - Dr. Strangelove

No list like this would be complete without the great Peter Sellers in his three fantastic performances in Dr. Strangelove or: How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the Bomb. Sellers plays the resourceful Captain Mandrake, the bumbling President of the United States, and the completely over-the-top Dr. Strangelove in the movie. Sellers was also supposed to play the character Major Kong, but injured himself on set and the the role went to Slim Pickens instead.

Kate Hudson - Alex & Emma

Films with stories within stories are often a good place to find actors playing multiple roles, as is the case with Kate Hudson in Alex & Emma. In the "real" story, Hudson plays Emma, a stenographer helping Alex (Luke Wilson) complete his novel. As Alex and Emma work on the story, viewers are taken inside the story of a novel where both Wilson and Hudson play characters in the novel. Hudson, in fact, plays four different versions of a nanny in the book.

Michael J. Fox - Back To The Future Part II

While nothing will ever live up to the original Back To The Future, Back To The Future Part II is still pretty fun. One of the things that make it so is Michael J. Fox playing Marty (of course), and his son Marty, Jr., and his daughter Marlene in the movie. Thomas F. Wilson, who plays Biff Tannen, also plays multiple roles in the movie as the various members of the Tannen family.

Jodie Comer - Free Guy

This one is a little bit of a fudge, because in Free Guy, Jodie Comer is playing her character and her character's avatar. So in some ways they are kind of, sort of the same character. Still, she plays the roles different and for that reason, she deserves to be on this list.

Rory Kinnear - Men

Men is an odd movie, but in a good way. Rory Kinnear is what makes it unique. On the surface, Kinnear plays the owner of an inn in a small town, but he also plays most of the rest of the men in the town, all of whom are pretty odd characters.

Lupita Nyong'o - Us

Jordan Peele's horror classic Us features all of the cast members playing both their main character and "Tethered" character with that excellent cast being led by Lupita Nyong'o, who plays Addy and Red. It would be fair to put any of the cast members on this list though, about 20 in total, but we don't want to make this whole list about Us, despite how great it is.

Paul Dano - There Will Be Blood

It'll come as no surprise that a few entries on this list are actors playing identical twins in a movie. We had to include Paul Dano as both Paul and Eli Sunday in There Will Be Blood because Dano's performance, especially as the preacher Eli, is transcendent. The final scene between Eli and Daniel (Daniel Day-Lewis) is one of the most intense scenes ever to appear in a film.

Scarlett Johansson - Astroid City

Director Wes Anderson's Astroid City has a movie within a movie telling the story of the movie. As such, and as you'd probably expect, there are a few actors playing both their "real life" characters and the actors playing them in the movie inside the movie. Scarlett Johansson plays both Midge Campbell and the actor playing Midege, Mercedes. Jason Schwartzman also plays two roles, as do Matt Dillon, Maya Hawke, and others.

George Burns - Oh, God! You Devil

The legendary George Burns played God in not one, but three movies in the Oh God series. In the third installment, he added another character, the Devil. The best scene in the movie comes when God and the Devil play a game of poker for the soul of Bobby Shelton, played by Ted Wass.

Bette Midler And Lily Tomlin - Big Business

Movies about twins separated at birth have been popular in Hollywood forever, but in 1988, director Jim Abrahams upped the ante with two sets of twins separated at birth. Lily Tomlin and Bette Midler are two sets of sisters who discover they were separated from their identical twin. It's a decent movie that hasn't really been remembered by many movie fans.

Eddie Murphy - Coming To America

Of course, we had to include Eddie Murphy on this list! There are multiple movies where the great comedian plays multiple roles, but in the interest of brevity, we're just including the best Eddie Murphy movie, Coming To America. Murphy's main character, Prince Akeem, is the only one that he plays in the movie. Clarence, the barber, is also Murphy, as is Saul, the guy who just hangs out at the barbershop all day. Finally, Murphy also plays the character you may remember from the "What's Going Down" episode of "That's My Mama," Jackson Heights' own Randy Watson!

Christian Bale - The Prestige

The Prestige is a movie that gets a little lost in director Christopher Nolan's fimography, though, like most of his movies, it's excellent. Nolan teamed up with Christian Bale again on the heels of Batman Begins for this movie about rival magicians. Bale plays Alfred Borden and Borden's assistant, Fallon, who are living with a secret that we'll keep in case you haven't seen the movie.

Mel Brooks - History of the World, Part I

Mel Brooks is a one-man force of nature. Not only did he write, direct, and str in most of his movies, but he usually played multiple roles as well. One of the best examples was in History of the World, Part I, where he plays four characters, one in each segment of the film.

Tilda Swinton - Suspiria

There is little that Tilda Swinton can't do, including playing multiple roles in movies. She first did it in 2002's Teknolust, before playing oddball twins in the Coen Brothers' Hail, Caesar! In Suspiria, she plays three roles, Madame Blanc, Dr. Josef Klemperer, and Mother Helena Markos.

Leonardo DiCaprio - The Man In The Iron Mask

The titular character in The Man in the Iron Mask, was, supposedly, a prisoner kept by King Louis XIV during his reign. In the movie, the mysterious prisoner is Louis' twin brother, the fictional Philippe Bourbon. Both the king and the man in the iron mask are played by Leonardo DiCaprio in this historically dubious retelling of a classic Four Musketeer tale.

Janelle Monáe - Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery

As the title implies, there are a lot of layers in Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery. by writer and director Rian Johnson. One of those layers is just who Janelle Monáe's character is, either Andi Brand, the ex-partner of Edward Norton's character, or Helen Brand, her twin sister investigating Andi's unexpected death.

Arsenio Hall - Coming To America

Like his co-star Eddie Murphy, Arsenio also plays multiple roles in Coming To America. His main role, Semmi, is Murphy's trusted servant. Hall also plays one of the women the two meet at a club and one of the barbers, but the funniest character he plays has to be the preacher. Every line he delivers is hilarious.

Armie Hammer - The Social Network

Of all the double (and more) roles on this list, maybe the easiest to do double duty for is that of the Winklevoss twins in The Social Network. Don't get us wrong, Armie Hammer nails the role(s) as the swarmy twins who actually came up with the idea that would become Facebook. They may have had a case against Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg), but that didn't make them good people.

Graham Chapman - Monty Python And The Holy Grail

This is really an entry for all of the members of Monty Python, as all of them play at least four different roles in the movie. Graham Chapman plays King Arthur, so naturally, he gets top billing, but John Cleese, Michael Palin, Terry Jones, Terry Gilliam, and Eric Idle deserve the spotlight here. Actors Neil Innes, Sandy Johnson, and John Young also play multiple roles in the movie.

Halle Berry, Tom Hanks, Ben Whishaw, And More - Cloud Atlas

Cloud Atlas tells a story that spans centuries and in each timeline, the same core group of actors play different roles. This includes Tom Hanks, Halle Berry, Ben Whishaw, Jim Broadbent, Hugo Weaving, and many more. It's a wild movie to follow, but all the actors are on point, for sure

Jack Nicholson - Mars Attacks!

While Mars Attacks! may not be the first movie you think of when you think of the great roles Jack Nicholson has played over the years, you should because he's actually really great in both of the roles he plays. It's not often thought of as one of Nicholson's best movies, but maybe it should be, because it is hilarious and he's a big reason why,

Hayley Mills - The Parent Trap

Both versions of The Parent Trap, the original starring Hayley Mills as twins separated at birth and the remake starring Lindsey Lohan as the twins are great movies. Mills and Lohan are both great at playing the dual roles of the twins who discover their parents separated them when they were babies and they never knew.

Mike Myers - Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery

As the Austin Powers franchise chugged on, Mike Myers kept adding roles, but in the original, he started brilliantly as both the hero, Austin Powers, and the villain, Dr. Evil. It's hard to decide which character is funnier, but it's safe to say that without Myers playing the roles, neither would be as iconic and we wouldn't have as many classic lines from Myers.

Peter Sellers - The Mouse That Roared

While Dr. Strangelove is the most famous and revered example of Peter Sellers playing multiple roles in a movie, it wasn't the first time he did. A few years before the Stanley Kubrick classic, Sellers started in the wildly underrated war movie farce The Mouse That Roared. Sellers carries the movie in three different, ridiculous, and hilarious roles and it really should be better remembered today.

Margaret Hamilton - The Wizard Of Oz

Margaret Hamilton plays two different villains in The Wizard Of Oz. Of course, she plays the iconic Wicked Witch Of The West and Dorothy's obnoxious neighbor Almira Gulch, who takes Toto after claiming to be bitten by the innocent dog. Hamilton isn't the only actor in the movie to play dual roles, but both of her characters are the most developed of them.

Eddie Murphy - The Nutty Professor

Coming To America may be the best example of Eddie Murphy playing multiple roles, but The Nutty Professors and its sequel, Nutty Professor II: The Klumps definitely has him playing the most characters. Across both movies, he plays eight different characters. While both movies have their moments, neither quite reach the comedic heights of Coming To America.

Mia Goth - X

In The X series, Mia Goth plays both Maxine Minx and Pearl Douglas. the former is in Goth's wheelhouse, but the latter, an elderly woman who is the villain of both of the first two movies, X and Pearl. Goth is unrecognizable and brilliant in both.

Richard Pryor - Which Way Is Up?

Years before his Harlem Nights co-star Eddie Murphy started starring in multiple roles in movies, Richard Pryor pulled off the feat in Which Way Is Up? in 1977. While it's an uneven movie, it does have some funny moments, especially Pryor in one of his roles, the Reverend Lenox Thomas.

Cate Blanchett - Coffee & Cigarettes

Director Jim Jarmusch's Coffee & Cigarettes is a collection of short stories, 11 in total, that pay tribute to, you guessed it, those two popular vices. In one of them, Cate Blanchett plays a fictionalized version of herself and her fictional cousin, Shelly, who meet for a coffee and a smoke. The story is really just an uncomfortable conversation between Cate and the jealous Shelly, but it's one of the best stories in the movie.

Tom Hardy - Legend

Tom Hardy is never afraid to take on a tricky role and in Legend he takes on two, playing the psychotic Cray twins, Reggie and Ronnie. Based on the true story of the mobsters who gained fame in the mid-'60s as the owners of a popular nightclub frequented by celebrities in the "Swinging London" era.

Hilary Duff - The Lizzie McGuire Movie

Okay, we'll admit the plot of The Lizzie McGuire Movie is pretty silly. In it, Lizzie, played by Hilary Duff, of course, travels to Rome on a school trip and ends up in a weird love triangle of sorts with her Italian doppelganger, Isabella. Is it a great movie? Nah, not really, but it does fit on this list.

Adam Sandler - Jack And Jill

If you're an Adam Sandler fan, then you'll love Jack And Jill because you get twice as much Sandler as usual, as he plays the brother and sister, Jack and Jill. Honestly, unless you're a big Sandler fan, this is a movie you can skip, though it does seem to have fans for some reason.

Eddie Murphy and Martin Lawrence are among the funniest actors in Hollywood who have made a ton of successful comedies and great action movies over the years. Both of them got their start in the ‘80s, and they have been in movies together like 1992’s Boomerang and 1999’s Life. Their latest collaboration? Their kids are getting married to each other, and they're about to be in-laws. So, of course, people have all the questions about how the wedding will play out and which dad will give the toast.

We know already that Eddie Murphy has asked Martin Lawrence to pay for the wedding since it's customary for the father of the bride to shell out the cash, and Murphy literally has ten kids (six of which are daughters). However, what about the wedding toasts? Here’s what Lawrence had to say about it:

When Martin Lawrence stopped in on the Sherri show, he was asked about how the toasts might go considering both the fathers are so funny. Martin Lawrence said he would likely give the job to Eddie Murphy, not only because he treasures his funny bone, but for another totally understandable reason. In his words:

Twenty-nine-year-old Jasmin Lawrence is Martin Lawrence’s eldest daughter and the first one to get married. The Bad Boys actor also has two younger daughters, 24-year-old Iyanna and 22-year-old Amara. He figures he’ll be very emotional on Jasmin’s wedding day, and it’s a totally fair estimate.

Eddie Murphy on the other hand has already experienced giving his daughters away at weddings before, so perhaps he’ll be more emotionally prepared to give a fun speech to the guests. Hopefully, both Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy will do a bit together during the reception, because that’s what I imagine the guests are all hoping for anyway!

Eric Murphy and Jasmin Lawrence made it public that they were dating on social media in 2021. Eddie Murphy’s son proposed to Jasmin in November 2024. You can check out their post on the occasion below:

When Lawrence was asked about how he’s responded to his daughter dating Eric Murphy, the comedy actor shared that Eric Murphy is “a lot like his father” when it comes to his calm temperament and he's “a cool young man.” So he hasn’t had to lay down the law in any way. Eddie Murphy has previously commented on expecting their child to be “funny” should they ever have kids.

We’re of course so excited to hear how the wedding goes once it happens, and if the two dads will get into some fun comedy mischief at the event.

The best Saturday Night Live stars made an impact on the classic sketch comedy series, not just because of their ability to be funny but, more importantly, their ability to act. These comedy icons would go on to prove their versatility by challenging themselves in more serious roles on both the big and small screen, going on to earn widespread praise for their craft. Here, we show our appreciation for these dramatic performances by very funny people, including some that earned these SNL stars Oscar nominations.

Kristen Wiig (The Skeleton Twins)

This one technically counts as a twofer because the eponymous siblings in the 2014 twin movie, The Skeleton Twins, are played by SNL veterans Kristen Wiig and Bill Hader. Wiig has never given a more absorbing performance than in this movie that gets honest about mental illness as Maggie Dean, who is forced to put her own mental health struggles at bay to care for her gay, suicidal brother, Milo.

Robert Downey Jr. (Oppenheimer)

Robert Downey Jr. is already better known for his dramatic roles (and playing Iron Man in the Marvel movies) than his brief SNL stint. However, many agree that his career best so far is his portrayal of Lewis Strauss in Christopher Nolan's Best Picture Oscar winner, 2023's Oppenheimer, which was his third Academy Award-nominated performance and the first to earn him the gold.

Laurie Metcalf (Lady Bird)

Laurie Metcalf is one of the better examples of an actor with a largely forgotten SNL stint, considering she only made a couple of appearances on the show during Season 6. She is far better known for playing Jackie on Roseanne and The Conners and for her heartbreaking, Oscar-nominated performance in Greta Gerwig's acclaimed 2017 dramedy, Lady Bird, as the mother of the angsty titular role.

Will Ferrell (Stranger Than Fiction)

Director Marc Forster’s 2006 film, Stranger Than Fiction, is still, essentially, a comedy but an undeniably dark one, as it follows an IRS agent named Harold Crick, who can hear the author of his life story foretelling his impending death. The role was one of the first to prove that a goofy actor like Will Ferrell had dramatic chops and his tender performance, one of the strongest of his career, would earn him a Golden Globe nomination.

Will Forte (Nebraska)

Perhaps the best thing outside of SNL to star Will Forte (in addition to the MacGruber movie and his prematurely canceled TV show The Last Man on Earth) is director Alexander Payne's Nebraska. The comedian shows a new rare side of himself in the Oscar-nominated 2013 as a David Grant, who agrees to travel cross-country with his estranged father, Woody (Bruce Dern), to claim a potentially non-existent prize of $1 million.

Eddie Murphy (Dreamgirls)

While Eddie Murphy scored a radio hit in 1985 with "Party All the Time," the moment that truly convinced the world that he was a musically talented SNL star was his performance in Dreamgirls. He received an Academy Award nomination for playing troubled R&B singer, James “Thunder” Early in the acclaimed 2006 musical.

Abby Elliott (The Bear)

Creator Christopher Storer's acclaimed FX original, The Bear, is often billed as a comedy, especially around awards season. However, real fans of the culinary series know that it is truly one of the most emotionally grasping shows of its time and Abby Elliott (daughter of fellow SNL vet Chris Elliott) has contributed to some of its strongest moments as Natalie "Sugar" Berzatto.

Adam Sandler (Uncut Gems)

While he is still beloved for comedies like Happy Gilmore and Billy Madison, both critics and audiences agree that one of Adam Sandler's best movies is the intense 2019 thriller Uncut Gems. Many believed he deserved an Oscar nomination for his performance in the acclaimed A24 movie from Josh and Benny Safdie as self-destructive Manhattan jeweler Howard Rattner.

Sarah Silverman (I Smile Back)

It was not until years after her one-season stint on SNL that Sarah Silverman became one of the biggest names in comedy with her sharp stand-up and roles in popular funny movies. However, she had never received wider and stronger critical acclaim before playing vastly against type in the 2015 drama I Smile Back as a troubled woman struggling to hide her depression and self-destructive tendencies from her husband and young children.

Bill Murray (Lost In Translation)

Many would call Bill Murray (who was part of SNL's Not Ready for Primetime Players) losing Best Actor for one of the best movies of the 2000s, Lost in Translation, at the 2004 Academy Awards one of the biggest Oscar blunders in history. His performance in writer and director Sofia Coppola’s sophomore effort as a lonely veteran actor striking up an unlikely bond with a young woman (played by Scarlett Johansson) in Tokyo is a masterclass in raw honesty and charm.

Chris Rock (Fargo)

No one was more surprised to see Noah Hawley offer Chris Rock one of the lead roles in the fourth season of his hit anthology TV show, Fargo, than the former SNL star himself. Rock – who went on to play a cop in a Saw movie called Spiral and starred in the Oscar-nominated biopic, Rustin – really turned heads with his commanding performance as Loy Cannon, who leads his 1950s-ear, Kansas City crime family with an iron fist.

Bill Hader (Barry)

When he created Barry with Alec Berg, Bill Hader knew people would think the idea of him playing a contract killer who falls in love with acting is pretty funny. That must have motivated the former SNL favorite to prove that he could bring himself to some disturbingly bleak places with his two-time Emmy-winning performance in the title role of the hit HBO series.

Kate McKinnon (Bombshell)

We genuinely believe that one of the most essential reasons why Bombshell is one of Kate McKinnon's best movies is the dynamic SNL star's performance. Her role as Fox News employee Jess Carr – a composite character based on real people involved with the real-life events that inspired the 2019 docudrama – could be written off as comic relief but she does show some real gravitas in its more somber moments.

Dan Aykroyd (Driving Miss Daisy)

Some of Dan Aykroyd's most notable cinematic efforts are actually movies based on SNL characters, namely The Blues Brothers and Coneheads. However, he would earn praise and an Academy Award nomination for his moving turn as Boolie Werthan in 1989’s beloved period drama, Driving Miss Daisy.

Andy Samberg (Lee)

When appearing on Late Night with Seth Meyers, Andy Samberg acknowledged that a movie like Lee – the 2024 biopic about World War II photographer Lee Miller, played by Kate Winslet – is unlike anything the Lonely Island member has done before. However, not only is the SNL vet a dead ringer for Miller's colleague, David Scherman, but he excels in his emotionally heavy portrayal of the man.

Maya Rudolph (Away We Go)

Director Sam Mendes' Away We Go is a sweet, tender-hearted dramedy about a couple (played by John Krasinski and Maya Rudolph) traveling the country in search of a worthy home for their soon-to-be-born child. Carrying most of the emotional weight in the film is Rudolph, resulting in one of her most wonderfully down-to-earth performances from one of SNL's goofiest female performers.

Molly Shannon (A Good Person)

Writer and director Zach Braff's A Good Person – following a young woman (played by Florence Pugh) and her post-accident road to recovery with help from her would-be father-in-law (played by Morgan Freeman) – is led to by heavy-hitting Oscar darlings. Yet, some say the heart and soul of the 2023 dramedy is Molly Shannon's performance as the mother of Pugh's character, for which she gives her most acclaimed, heartfelt dramatic performance yet.

Jay Pharoah (Unsane)

Jay Pharoah only departed from SNL a couple of years breaking into dramatic acting with director Steven Soderbergh's Unsane. The comedian and talented impressionist is electrifying in the mind-bending psychological thriller as a mental hospital patient who befriends Sawyer (Claire Foy), who claims she has been admitted against her will.

Jenny Slate (Obvious Child)

Arguably the most memorable moment from Jenny Slate's one-season SNL stint is when she accidentally dropped the F-bomb during her first show (which she confirmed had nothing to do with her exit, by the way). Years after her time at Studio 8H, the comedian amazed critics with her beautiful and heartbreaking performance in the 2014 romantic dramedy Obvious Child, in which she plays a stand-up comic dealing with an unplanned pregnancy.

Casey Wilson (Gone Girl)

Some might say that a sign of a great actor is the ability to convey all that an audience needs to know just in one's silent expressions. For proof, see Casey Wilson's performance as Amy Dunne's "friend" Noelle Hawthorne in David Fincher's Gone Girl, in which you rarely, if ever, hear her speak but are thoroughly captivated by her body language.

Anthony Michael Hall (The Dead Zone)

In 1984, the same year that Anthony Michael Hall became a teen idol with roles in hilarious, high school movies The Breakfast Club and Weird Science, he became the youngest SNL cast member, coming on at just 17 years old. Years later, he fully reinvented himself as a serious actor as the star of USA's series adaptation of Stephen King's The Dead Zone, in which he plays a man who wakes from a coma with the ability to see the future.

Christopher Guest (The Long Riders)

Christopher Guest joined the SNL cast in 1984, around the same time his career as the most trusted mockumentarian began as one of the writers and stars of This is Spinal Tap. He had shown Hollywood his more serious side years earlier by starring in The Long Riders – a fact-based Western noted for casting real-life siblings as real-life outlaw siblings, such as Guest and his brother, Nicholas, as Charley and Robert Ford.

Jane Curtin (Can You Ever Forgive Me?)

After SNL, Jane Curtin went on to play many great comedic roles – such as her two-time Emmy-winning role on Kate & Allie and an acclaimed stint on 3rd Rock from the Sun – but did not have quite many opportunities to show her more serious side. That would change in 2018 when the one-time "Weekend Update" anchor starred in the biopic Can You Ever Forgive Me? as Marjorie, who works as the agent for author Lee Israel (Melissa McCarthy).

Michael McKean (Better Call Saul)

Interestingly, Michael McKean was already an established comedy actor and had even hosted SNL before he joined as a cast member in the early 1990s. However, his reputation as a dramatic actor was never fully realized before his Emmy-nominated turn on Vince Gilligan's Breaking Bad prequel series Better Call Saul as Chuck, the delusional older brother of Jimmy McGill (former SNL writer Bob Odenkirk).

Joan Cusack (Arlington Road)

Joan Cusack became the first SNL star to earn two Academy Award nominations but both were for comedic roles, namely from 1988's Working Girl and In & Out from 1997. One might argue she deserved similar recognition for her work in 1999's Arlington Road as Cheryl Lang, who, along with her husband (played by Tim Robbins), is suspected of domestic terrorism by their neighbor, a professor (played by Jeff Bridges).

Billy Crystal (Before)

With the exception of, perhaps, the tearjerker ending of When Harry Met Sally..., it is hard to imagine Billy Crystal in a role that doesn't require him to be his signature goofy self. Thus, the comedic genius shocked audiences when he served as the star and showrunner of Apple TV+'s dark thriller Before, in which he plays a widowed child psychiatrist whose newest patient exhibits signs of psychopathy.

Janeane Garofalo (Cop Land)

Janeane Garofalo's time at SNL is largely forgotten but, luckily, did not affect her reputation as one of the smartest and most dynamic comedic actors in the 1990s. She further proved her versatility in 1997 as Deputy Sheriff Cindy Betts in James Mangold's acclaimed crime thriller, Cop Land.

Chevy Chase (Law & Order)

Chevy Chase's bread and butter on and off SNL was playing smarmy jerks. However, he really upped the ante in 2006 for his guest star appearance on Law & Order as an anti-Semitic murder suspect.

Tina Fey (A Haunting In Venice)

In addition to being the Agatha Christie surrogate in Kenneth Branagh's third Agatha Christie adaptation, you could call Tina Fey's clever writer Ariadne Oliver the comic relief of A Haunting in Venice. However, the former SNL star and one-time head writer plays the role in the 2023 mystery thriller with an earnestness that is perfectly suitable for its story and tone.

Jim Belushi (The Principal)

Jim Belushi's stint at SNL was unavoidably a constant source of comparison to his older brother, John Belushi. Luckily, he went on to have a relatively successful run with more dramatic roles, such as a man who takes a job at an anarchic high school in 1987's The Principal.

Rob Riggle (12 Strong)

Rob Riggle's brief time at SNL led to a stint on The Daily Show and scene-stealing turns in comedies like Stepbrothers and 21 Jump Street but his best role might be from 2018's 12 Strong. As he told Stephen Colbert on Late Show, he was uniquely qualified to star in the fact-based military drama, not only because he is a former U.S. Marine but because the person he is portraying, Lt. Colonel Bowers, is his actual former boss.

Randy Quaid (The Last Detail)

One of the few people to become an Academy Award nominee before becoming an SNL cast member is Randy Quaid. He earned the honor from his performance in 1973's The Last Detail as a dishonorable discharged Naval officer who is shown one last good time by his superiors (played by Jack Nicholson and Otis Young) before facing jail time.

There is nothing more iconic than a good looking leather jacket on a movie star. There are as many styles of jacket as there are stars, which makes looking good easy. From Marlon Brando to Keanu Reeves, leather jackets have been a part of some of the most incredible looking costumes ever. So, here is our list of some of the most iconic leather coats and jackets in Hollywood history.

Marlon Brando In The Wild One

This list wouldn't be complete without including the O.G. leather look on Marlon Brando in The Wild One. The 1953 film about a biker gang was not only a big hit in theaters, but it was a huge influence on society. From the outlaw biker gangs who took inspiration from the look to regular folks who saw the leather jackets as the coolest of cool.

Wesley Snipes In Blade

Wesley Snipes is the coolest-looking superhero in Blade with his iconic look in leather and sunglasses. Everything about the costume and the character oozes cool and defines Blade's renegade nature.

Arnold Schwarzenegger In The Terminator Movies

Leather jackets definitely provide a look for someone to say "Don't mess with me," and nowhere is this more true in Hollywood than when Arnold Schwarzenegger wears one in the Terminator movies. Starting with the first movie, he's usually seen in one and you definitely don't want to mess with him.

Rooney Mara In The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Leather jackets have always been a symbol of rebelliousness in Hollywood. In The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, it's the perfect look for Lisbeth Salander (Rooney Mara) to portray both her anti-social nature and her tough exterior. You can't imagine wearing anything else.

John Travolta In Saturday Night Fever

In the 1970s, no one was cooler than John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever. The strut, the hair, the dancing, and the leather jacket all made that possible. The look is so iconic that people are still imitating it today, five decades later.

Carrie-Anne Moss In The Matrix Movies

It's safe to say that The Matrix movies would not be the same if the characters were dressed in anything but the coolest and toughest-looking leather jackets and coats. From Neo to Morpheus to, of course, Trinity (Carrie-Anne Moss) in her amazing looking long leather coat. It's just such an amazing bit of costume.

Brad Pitt In Fight Club

Not every leather jacket has to be black to look completely awesome. Tyler Durden's reddish-brown jacket in Fight Club has become one of the most famous looks in Hollywood. Of course, it's easy for Brad Pitt to pull off almost any look, but he might just look his coolest in Fight Club.

Hugh Jackman In The X-Men Films

Leather jackets have been used a lot over the years to depict both heroes and anti-heroes. Nowhere is this more clear than on Logan aka Wolverine, as depicted by Hugh Jackman in the X-Men and now in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Logan is anti-social to an extreme and his leather jacket definitely indicates that you don't want to pick a fight with him.

Olivia Newton-John In Grease

The costumes in Grease are amazing. Of course, the T-Birds' jackets are fantastic, but it's the leather jacket that Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) dons in the last act that looks the most amazing. She completely changes her look and the jacket is what inspires the whole thing.

Keanu Reaves In The John Wick Movies

Keanu Reaves loves to wear leather in his movies, but the brown leather jacket in the first John Wick movie is probably the coolest. It's great because it's cool as heck, but it's not too over the top for the retired assassin. It makes John Wick seem normal, yet completely cool and ready for anything.

Eddie Murphy In Raw

In his standup movie Raw, Eddie Murphy takes the cool leather look to the next level. Not only does he have an amazing purple leather jacket, he compliments it with matching leather pants. It wasn't the first time he wore a leather outfit on stage, he wore a similar red one in his first standup movie, Delirious, but the purple one in Raw tops the red one in every way.

Michelle Pfeiffer in Dangerous Minds

Dangerous Minds isn't the best movie in Michelle Pfeiffer's filmography, despite having an amazing soundtrack, but for an actress who had a whole bunch of iconic looks in the '80s and '90s, her jeans and leather jacket look in the movie is one of the most memorable. It's a costume that tells you so much about the character without saying a word.

Steve McQueen In The Great Escape

It's hard to argue that Steve McQueen isn't one of the coolest stars in Hollywood history. Of course, you can earn that kind of praise without at least one leather jacket. In The Great Escape, McQueen's brown leather bomber jacket is the epitome of cool. Even when he is covered in dirt, he looks great, but it's when he's wearing the jacket that he looks his best.

Tom Cruise In Top Gun

In the '80s, there was no movie cooler than Top Gun and there was no cooler character than Pete "Maverick" Mitchell, played by Tom Cruise. The leather bomber jacket Cruise wore in the movie became so iconic and such a key characteristic of the role that when Top Gun: Maverick released its first teaser, the jacket was a big part of it.

Harrison Ford In Raiders Of The Lost Ark

There is something about a distressed leather jacket that brings authenticity to a character that few other costume pieces can. Nowhere in film history is this more true than with Indiana Jones (Harrison Ford) in all of the Indiana Jones movies. The jacket, along with the hat and the whip, completely define the character in every way. Is there any other kind of jacket you could ever see Indy wearing? Of course not.

Uma Thurman In Kill Bill

There are a lot things that make Quentin Tarantino's Kill Bill cool, but Uma Thurman's yellow leather motorcycle jacket tops the list. It's become an iconic costume over the years, and while not everyone could pull off the look, Thurman certainly does and everyone loves it.

Mel Gibson In The Mad Max Movies

As distressed leather jackets go, Mel Gibson's in the Mad Max movies is among the best looking. Looking into a dystopian future, it makes complete sense that leather jackets would still be part of the fashion. They are almost indestructible and have that classic look that almost no other piece of clothing has.

Joey Lauren Adams In Chasing Amy

This one flies a little bit under the radar, but it's an amazing look and deserves to be on this list. Alyssa (Joey Lauren Adams) in Chasing Amy has a lot of "rock and roll" to her style and nothing says rock star like leather.

Samuel L. Jackson In The MCU

As Deadpool asks in the post-credits scene in the original Deadpool movie, "Did you expect Samuel L. Jackson in a saucy leather number?" Well, yes, frankly we might have, since Jackson, playing the cooler-than-cool Nick Fury often shows up in a fantastic-looking leather jacket in the MCU. It is something we expect (even if Deadpool wasn't in the MCU at the time).

Tom Hardy In The Dark Knight Rises

Great Villains are often in leather. In The Dark Knight Rises Bane wears one of the greatest leather coats ever. The fur-lined brown leather number is perfect for his character and it's a look that not every villain could pull off, but Bane (Tom Hardy) certainly does.

Halle Berry In Die Another Day

Halle Berry has a few iconic outfits in the Pierce Brosnan-led James Bond film Die Another Day and while her bikini may be the most famous, the red leather jacket she wears for a lot of the movie is one heck of a look too. Sure, the movie isn't the best Brosnan-era Bond film, but you can't deny how great Berry looks in her costumes.

James Dean In Rebel Without A Cause

Seven decades after his death in 1955, James Dean is still the epitome of cool. Though he only starred in three movies, his impact on pop culture is immense. His red leather jacket in Rebel Without A Cause is one reason why. Because Dean's career was so brief, we don't have a lot of "looks" from him, making the jacket that much more iconic.

Kurt Russell In Escape From New York

If you want to look cool and look like you just don't care about anything, a distressed leather jacket can tell a lot of people just how you feel without saying a word. Take the look of Snake Pilsson (Kurt Russell) in Escape From New York. Has anyone ever looked tougher, cooler, and more aloof in an action film? No, not really.

Sigourney Weaver In Aliens

Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) is one of the most amazing characters in action movie history. Of course, that means she must look cool as heck in leather, and she does in Aliens. It's not her most iconic look, but come on, you can't deny how awesome it is.

Tom Cruise In Mission: Impossible

Let's be honest, Tom Cruise always looks good in a nice leather jacket, but if you're ranking his costumes by how good looking they are, the jacket he wears in the first Mission: Impossible is at the top. When he is doing his sleight of hand with the disc with the NOC list on it while wearing the jacket is one of the best non-action scenes in the whole series.

Peter Fonda And Dennis Hopper In Easy Rider

If you wanted to be a rebellious hippie in the late 1960s, a leather jacket was a good place to start with your look. Especially if you were on a motorcycle like Dennis Hopper and Peter Fonda in Easy Rider. Fonda has a more traditional biker look with his black leather jacket, but Hopper's character goes for a sweet suede jacket with some awesome fringe. Both look amazing.

Anne Hathaway In Get Smart

Get Smart might not be the best movie that Anne Hathaway has ever been in, but her white leather coat looks fantastic in it. It's not the only time Hathaway has shown up in an iconic leather look, who could ever forget her look in The Dark Knight Rises, it is a unique look that you don't see in a lot of movies. Of course, she completely pulls it off.

Matt Dillon In The Outsiders

The greasers in The Outsiders are mostly known for their jean jackets, but one greaser, Dally (Matt Dillion) wears a leather jacket and he looks exactly the part in it. It's not the cleanest jacket in the world, we wouldn't expect it to be, but man it looks so cool!

Laurence Fishburne In The Matrix

Like many of the characters in The Matrix, Morpheus (Laurence Fishburne) looks totally iconic in his leather duster. Sure it's not a "jacket," but there was no way we could leave it off of this list!

Jon Voight In Midnight Cowboy

Midnight Cowboy is a little bit of a forgotten movie these days, but it was a massive hit when it was released. Those who know, know. Jon Voight's suede jacket with the long fringe isn't a look everyone can pull off, and even in the movie it's not always the best look, but looking back, it's safe to say it belongs on this list as one of the best in Hollywood history.

Jason Momoa In Fast X

It's not hard for Jason Momoa to look cool, I think we can all agree. Still, in Fast X, that black and white snakeskin-looking leather jacket is simply amazing. It's not a look that anyone can pull off, in fact, many would look ridiculous in it, but not Momoa, not by a longshot.

Emma Stone In La La Land

Red leather is a fantastic look, though not everyone looks good in it. Emma Stone in La La Land isn't just anyone though. Stone just looks fantastic in the jacket and it, along with all the others on this list, has become iconic.