Eddie Murphy Opens Up in Being Eddie Documentary: Netflix Premiere Tomorrow

Eddie Murphy, the comedy legend who burst onto the scene in 1980 while still living at his mother’s house, is sharing his story in the new documentary Being Eddie, premiering tomorrow on Netflix. In a recent interview, Murphy reflected on his career, personal life, and creative process with humor, candor, and nostalgia.

Murphy spoke about his unshakable belief in his own success from a young age. “I started saying I was going to be famous when I was 12 or 13,” he recalled. “It wasn’t confidence. It was more clairvoyance than confidence. I just knew it deep down in my blood that I was going to be.”

The documentary, originally intended to document Murphy’s return to stand-up, evolved during the pandemic into an intimate look at his life at home. He discussed his private nature and how filming adapted to include interviews in his house with no audience present. He also reminisced about early career challenges, including almost being fired from 48 Hours just two weeks into filming—rescued only by the intervention of producer Jeff Katzenberg.

Fans will also see Murphy’s musical talents, which have long been part of his repertoire but rarely showcased. He demonstrated his piano skills—learned 40 years ago at Saturday Night Live—and whistling abilities, which he proudly notes run in his family.

Humor remained at the center of the conversation. Murphy recounted improvising the song “Roxanne” in the moment, as well as behind-the-scenes stories from his movies, including Coming to America and the unmade Twins sequel featuring him as a triplet alongside Danny DeVito and Arnold Schwarzenegger.

On his 1980s fame, Murphy reflected on how much fun he had while remaining clean and sober. “Nobody had more fun than me in the ’80s…laughing all the time with my family and friends,” he said. Despite the wildness, Murphy describes himself as a gentleman in his personal conduct—a persona he proudly maintained.

The interview also highlighted Murphy’s comedic ingenuity, showing off his ventriloquist puppets of Richard Pryor, Bill Cosby, and Paul Mooney, emphasizing his ongoing dedication to performance and creativity.

Being Eddie promises a rare, deeply personal glimpse into the life of one of comedy’s greatest figures, blending humor, insight, and musical talent. The documentary premieres tomorrow on Netflix.