Happy birthday, Eddie Murphy! The actor and comedian turns 61
USA TODAY
![Happy birthday, Eddie Murphy! The comedian, actor and producer turns 61 on April 3, 2022. We ' re looking back on his career in pictures.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/ff41afc1-a378-4e61-9553-9ef82086c286-001_USATSI_13455058.jpg?width=440&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Happy birthday, Eddie Murphy! The comedian, actor and producer turns 61 on April 3, 2022. We're looking back on his career in pictures.
Harrison Hill, USA TODAYMurphy as Buckwheat during the "Buh-Weet Sings" skit on Season 7 of the "Saturday Night Live" on October 10, 1981.
NBC/NBCU Photo Bank Via Getty Images![Shown from left are writer Brad Hall, actress Mary Gross, actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, actor Sid Caesar, comedian Murphy and actor Gary Kroeger on the " SNL " set in February of 1983 in New York.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/0a2c34df-1317-4505-84af-42531b95ee31-003_AP080731012102.jpg?width=660&height=435&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Shown from left are writer Brad Hall, actress Mary Gross, actress Julia Louis-Dreyfus, actor Sid Caesar, comedian Murphy and actor Gary Kroeger on the "SNL" set in February of 1983 in New York.
David Bookstaver, AP![Murphy as Mr. Robinson during the " Mister Robinson ' s Neighborhood " skit on an episode of " SNL " on May 13, 1983.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/1758eee6-eb3a-44d4-926b-7d7c3951b4ed-004_XXX_NUP_167136_0013.jpg?width=431&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Murphy as Mr. Robinson during the "Mister Robinson's Neighborhood" skit on an episode of "SNL" on May 13, 1983.
Al Levine, NBC![Murphy, center, performs alongside New York mayor Ed Koch, right, and Joe Piscopo during a rehearsal for NBC ' s " Saturday Night Live " on May 13, 1983. Koch was SNL ' s guest host of the week.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/55a0ce02-2682-4476-a7ee-7b7aa85f8782-005_AP830513019.jpg?width=660&height=526&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Murphy, center, performs alongside New York mayor Ed Koch, right, and Joe Piscopo during a rehearsal for NBC's "Saturday Night Live" on May 13, 1983. Koch was SNL's guest host of the week.
Marty Lederhandler, AP![Murphy poses in front of a poster of himself at a Crazy Eddie record store in New York on Nov. 16, 1983, where he conducted an autograph session to promote his second album " Eddie Murphy: Comedian.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/5f321873-bf04-41af-b615-bd1d9512ad83-006_AP576190369514.jpg?width=514&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Murphy poses in front of a poster of himself at a Crazy Eddie record store in New York on Nov. 16, 1983, where he conducted an autograph session to promote his second album "Eddie Murphy: Comedian.
Mario Cabrera, AP![Murphy poses with the late Robin Williams, center, and Joe Piscopo, right, at a " Saturday Night Live " rehearsal on Feb. 10, 1984.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/692674ec-a47e-4d4e-86dc-70ab92cf6958-007_AP8402100120.jpg?width=660&height=453&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Murphy poses with the late Robin Williams, center, and Joe Piscopo, right, at a "Saturday Night Live" rehearsal on Feb. 10, 1984.
Suzanne Vlamis, APJudge Reinhold, left, and Murphy in a scene from the 1984 film "Beverly Hills Cop."
Paramount Pictures![Murphy and his then-girlfriend, Lisa Figueroa, have a laugh at the premiere party for " Beverly Hills Cop " at Visage night club in New York on Dec. 4, 1984.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/38ff6e55-c18b-4701-a89d-41284d26fb0d-009_AP956906518380.jpg?width=660&height=444&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Murphy and his then-girlfriend, Lisa Figueroa, have a laugh at the premiere party for "Beverly Hills Cop" at Visage night club in New York on Dec. 4, 1984.
Richard Drew, AP![Murphy performing in New York ' s Radio City Music Hall on March 22, 1985.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/abf970ec-7b3a-49da-9219-9b47844b8567-010_AP254049265810.jpg?width=501&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Murphy performing in New York's Radio City Music Hall on March 22, 1985.
Wilbur Funches, AP![Murphy, right, jokes with Michael Jackson as Jackson was having trouble with the microphone during a special segment honoring his lifetime achievement in music at the American Music Awards show in Los Angeles on Jan. 31, 1989.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/1cfc4311-03cf-49ff-931b-0dcb99953777-011_AP8901310378.jpg?width=660&height=434&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Murphy, right, jokes with Michael Jackson as Jackson was having trouble with the microphone during a special segment honoring his lifetime achievement in music at the American Music Awards show in Los Angeles on Jan. 31, 1989.
Alan Greth, APMurphy stars in the 1996 film "The Nutty Professor.
Bruce McBrook, Universal City StudiosMurphy, left, and Kadeem Hardison star in the 1996 film "Vampire in Brooklyn.
Bruce W. Talamon, Paramount Pictures![Murphy, left, gets a kiss from his then-wife Nicole as he poses for the media near his star unveiled June 26, 1996, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/ebd0250a-8d7d-4d4a-b0de-e8caf0713d96-014_AP96062602819.jpg?width=489&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Murphy, left, gets a kiss from his then-wife Nicole as he poses for the media near his star unveiled June 26, 1996, on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in the Hollywood area of Los Angeles.
Susan Sterner, APMurphy stars in the 1997 action/comedy "Metro."
Bruce McBroom, Touchstone PicturesMurphy talks to the animals in 1998's "Dr. Dolittle."
Phil Bray, Twentieth Century FoxSteve Martin and Murphy star in "Bowfinger" in 1999.
Zade Rosenthal, Universal Studios![Murphy watches the action during a game between the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Nov. 19, 2000.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/c3023cfa-0daa-44cc-a556-6a432e0c1887-018_GettyImages-652488.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Murphy watches the action during a game between the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on Nov. 19, 2000.
Donald Miralle, Getty ImagesMurphy voices Donkey in Dreamworks' 2001 animated film "Shrek."
Kelvin Jones, DreamworksMurphy, left, and Owen Wilson in a scene from the 2002 motion picture "I Spy.
Joseph Lederer, Columbia Pictures![Murphy and Will Smith at the premiere of " Showtime " at the Chinese Theater in Los Angeles on March 11, 2002.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/6a9d5800-35f0-4877-a9c1-1639153ddddb-021_GettyImages-2256063.jpg?width=660&height=648&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Murphy and Will Smith at the premiere of "Showtime" at the Chinese Theater in Los Angeles on March 11, 2002.
Kevin Winter, Getty ImagesMurphy in a scene from the 2003 motion picture "Daddy Day Care.
Bruce McBroom, Revolution StudioEddie Murphy in a scene from 2003's "Haunted Mansion."
Bruce McBroom, Disney![Murphy arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of " Dreamgirls " in Beverly Hills, California on Dec. 11, 2006.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/b9f37d88-7482-4ac5-bfff-4d280b8a5208-024_AP061211032737.jpg?width=441&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Murphy arrives at the Los Angeles premiere of "Dreamgirls" in Beverly Hills, California on Dec. 11, 2006.
Matt Sayles, APMurphy as James "Thunder" Early, Beyoncé Knowles as Deena, Jennifer Hudson as Effie and Anika Noni Rose as Lorrell in a scene from the 2006 motion picture "Dreamgirls.
David James, Dreamworks/Paramount Pictures![Murphy won a Golden Globe for best supporting actor for his work in " Dreamgirls " the following year.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/791a38da-d2d1-4bf3-a929-b7b9ed39d5fb-026_AP070115037601.jpg?width=660&height=514&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Murphy won a Golden Globe for best supporting actor for his work in "Dreamgirls" the following year.
Kevork Djansezian, AP![He also took home a trophy for best male actor in a supporting role at the Screen Actors Guild Awards that year.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/da7b6289-b957-41fd-8e1c-1145c7f72014-027_AP070128027169.jpg?width=660&height=494&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
He also took home a trophy for best male actor in a supporting role at the Screen Actors Guild Awards that year.
Chris Pizzello, AP![Murphy arrives at the 2007 Academy Awards.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/b7a695e2-d38c-4dcd-888f-08553dc87971-028_GettyImages-73418645.jpg?width=360&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Murphy arrives at the 2007 Academy Awards.
Frazer Harrison, Getty ImagesMurphy and a young Yara Shahidi act in a scene from the 2009 motion picture "Imagine That."
Bruce McBroom, Paramount Pictures![Murphy poses with his " Shrek " co-stars Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas and Mike Myers at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival ' s opening night premiere of " Shrek Forever After " at the Ziegfeld Theatre on April 21, 2010 in New York City.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/48d0bec2-8e52-43df-8c3b-6b32c64b659a-031_GettyImages-98596560.jpg?width=660&height=495&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Murphy poses with his "Shrek" co-stars Cameron Diaz, Antonio Banderas and Mike Myers at the 2010 Tribeca Film Festival's opening night premiere of "Shrek Forever After" at the Ziegfeld Theatre on April 21, 2010 in New York City.
Jason KempinMurphy is photographed at L'Ermitage Beverly Hills hotel on Sept. 3, 2011, as part of media promotion for the motion picture "Tower Heist."
Matt Hoyle, USA TODAY WEEKEND![Ben Stiller and Murphy appear in a scene of Universal Studios ' 2011 film " Tower Heist.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/8e743820-8152-4796-b562-3c088696442a-033_XXX_TOWER-HEIST-MOV-05550.jpg?width=439&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Ben Stiller and Murphy appear in a scene of Universal Studios' 2011 film "Tower Heist.
Wilson Webb, Universal Studios![Murphy arrives at Debra Lee ' s Pre-BET Awards Celebration during the 2012 BET Awards at Union Station on June 30, 2012 in Los Angeles.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/da657983-ceab-438f-80f2-f5a53117d6ff-034_GettyImages-147494208.jpg?width=488&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Murphy arrives at Debra Lee's Pre-BET Awards Celebration during the 2012 BET Awards at Union Station on June 30, 2012 in Los Angeles.
Jason Merritt, TERM Via Getty Images![Stevie Wonder and honoree Murphy peform onstage at Spike TV ' s " Eddie Murphy: One Night Only " on Nov. 3, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/51b8dd8b-ab61-4eac-b62f-aab23f8e1567-035_GettyImages-155417238.jpg?width=660&height=469&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Stevie Wonder and honoree Murphy peform onstage at Spike TV's "Eddie Murphy: One Night Only" on Nov. 3, 2012 in Beverly Hills, California.
Christopher Polk, Getty ImagesMurphy returns to "SNL" for hosting duty on Feb. 15, 2015.
Dana Edelson, NBC![Murphy and Paige Butcher arrive on the red carpet for the 87th Oscars on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/8379759e-82f8-4630-97d7-5f513283305e-037_GettyImages-464168288.jpg?width=437&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Murphy and Paige Butcher arrive on the red carpet for the 87th Oscars on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood.
Valerie Macon, AFP Via Getty Images![Murphy opens the envelope onstage during the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/77d7913a-71f8-4343-8419-e3dd45e7ff4a-038_GettyImages-464188350.jpg?width=660&height=439&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Murphy opens the envelope onstage during the 87th Annual Academy Awards on Feb. 22, 2015 in Hollywood.
Kevin Winter, Getty Images![Murphy, left, Keegan-Michael Key and Wesley Snipes star in the 2019 film " Dolemite Is My Name.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/7d1d8fec-bdb1-42a3-a977-74c6307194be-040_XXX_sd_DOLEMITE_IS_MY_NAME__21118_.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Murphy, left, Keegan-Michael Key and Wesley Snipes star in the 2019 film "Dolemite Is My Name.
François Duhamel, Netflix![Tracy Morgan and Murphy attend the LA premiere of Netflix ' s " Dolemite Is My Name " at Regency Village Theatre on Sept. 28, 2019 in Westwood, California.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/594eae3a-aeff-4a4c-bce4-ea8532d16450-039_GettyImages-1177758679.jpg?width=660&height=478&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Tracy Morgan and Murphy attend the LA premiere of Netflix's "Dolemite Is My Name" at Regency Village Theatre on Sept. 28, 2019 in Westwood, California.
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images![Paige Butcher and Murphy attend the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 5, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/0b83e99d-ead0-42d1-9e47-e1d6fe574bd9-041_GettyImages-1197736257.jpg?width=453&height=660&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Paige Butcher and Murphy attend the 77th Annual Golden Globe Awards at The Beverly Hilton Hotel on Jan. 5, 2020 in Beverly Hills, California.
Frazer Harrison, Getty Images![Murphy accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award onstage during the 25th Annual Critics ' Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on Jan. 12, 2020 in Santa Monica, California.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/2a14ee69-2a4a-4568-a0e2-191c0028d675-042_GettyImages-1199134586.jpg?width=660&height=441&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Murphy accepts the Lifetime Achievement Award onstage during the 25th Annual Critics' Choice Awards at Barker Hangar on Jan. 12, 2020 in Santa Monica, California.
Emma McIntyre, Getty Images![Murphy appears in a scene from " Coming 2 America, " released in 2021.](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto/2021/03/24/USAT/e4fa9236-5a1f-4a2d-ad30-80de5d39018a-043_AP_Film_Review_-_Coming_2_America.jpg?width=660&height=440&fit=crop&format=pjpg&auto=webp)
Murphy appears in a scene from "Coming 2 America," released in 2021.
Quantrell D. Colbert, APFeatured Weekly Ad