Eddie Murphy Net Worth

Eddie Murphy Net Worth
Full Name: Eddie Murphy
Net Worth: $200 million
Date of Birth: April 3, 1961
Age: 61
Place of Birth: Brooklyn, New York, U.S.
Occupation: Actor, comedian, writer, producer, musician
Years Active: 1980-present
Spouse: Nicole Mitchell Murphy (m. 1993; div. 2006), Tracey Edmonds (m. 2008; div. 2008), Paige Butcher (m. 2012)
Children: 10
Notable Movies: Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, The Nutty Professor, Shrek
Notable TV Shows: Saturday Night Live, The PJs
Awards: 2 Primetime Emmy Awards, 1 Golden Globe Award, 1 Screen Actors Guild Award
Social Media: Instagram, Facebook

Have you ever wondered what the net worth of Eddie Murphy is? The American actor, comedian, and singer is a living legend and has an empire of wealth.

He rose to fame from his stand-up comedy acts but has branched out into many other forms of entertainment.

As of May 2023, Eddie Murphy has a net worth of $200 Million.

This post will dive into how he achieved such great success.

Early Life

Murphy was born on April 3, 1961, in Brooklyn, New York. His mother, Lillian, was a telephone operator, and his father, Charles, was a transit police officer.

His parents broke up when he was very young, and his father was tragically murdered by a woman he was in an affair with at the time.

Murphy’s mother soon after became very ill and could not properly care for Eddie and his elder brother Charlie, which caused them to live in foster care for a year. 

It was a tough time for Murphy, but he would make the most of the situation and find solace in making jokes and laughing with friends.

His time in a foster home was pivotal in developing his love for comedy.

He became interested in everything comedy, and when he was 15, he listened to That N****r’s Crazy by the great Richard Pryor.

The stand-up inspired Murphy to get started on a career of his own.

Murphy’s first performance would be at a talent show at the Roosevelt Youth Center, where he would impersonate singer Al Green.

After having one performance under his belt, he performed shows around the neighborhood, often skipping school to do so.

Murphy was focused on making a career out of his talents, and once he finished high school, that was his main priority.

Career

net worth of eddie murphy
Source: CNN

Murphy would become one of the first cast members of Saturday Night Live(SNL) in the early 1980s. 

He was most known for playing a grown-up version of Little Rascals character Buckwheat. The character’s fame was a big reason for the early success of SNL.

Murphy would transition to stand-up comedy and release Delirious in 1983. It was profane but well-received and is now viewed as a classic. 

Due to the success of Delirious, his next stand-up, “Eddie Murphy Raw,” was heavily anticipated, grossing over 50 million dollars.

At this time, Murphy became a comedic star, making him a target for film directors, and his acting career took off quickly.

His first work on the big screen was the film 48 Hrs and the film was one of the biggest movies released during the Christmas season of 1982.

Murphy starred in Trading Places(1983) and Best Defenses(1984), but his first solo lead role came in Beverly Hills Cop (1984).

The film grossed over $230 million at the U.S box office, making it the most successful film of the year and at the time, ever.

Murphy would find box office success with Beverly Hills Cop II(1984), Another 48 Hours(1990)and Boomerang(1992)

However, from approximately 1989 onwards, his box office numbers began to decline. The biggest letdown being Beverly Hills Cop III(1994).

However, Murphy wouldn’t let the low numbers stop him and bounced back with the release of The Nutty Professor(1996), which was well-received.

Murphy has since appeared in over 20 films, from comedies to family-friendly movies. His success as a comedian and actor has influenced the likes of Dave Chappelle, Chris Rock, and Russell Brand.

Eddie Murphy Net Worth Growth

Year Net Worth Contributing Factors
1980 $1 million Start of his career as a stand-up comedian
1984 $3 million Role in “48 Hrs.” and “Beverly Hills Cop”
1987 $7 million Success of “Eddie Murphy Raw” comedy album
1988 $25 million Salary for “Coming to America” movie
1990 $55 million Success of “Another 48 Hrs.” and “Harlem Nights”
1996 $80 million Box office success of “The Nutty Professor”
2001 $90 million Salary for “Shrek” movie and its sequels
2010 $120 million Continued success with “Shrek” and “Tower Heist”
2019 $160 million Return to stand-up comedy and “Dolemite Is My Name”
2022 $200 million Continued success with “Coming 2 America” and investments

Eddie Murphy Net Worth 2023

As of May 2023, Eddie Murphy has a net worth of $200 million. His worth comes primarily from his acting career.

However, earnings from his stand-ups contribute as well. Additionally, Murphy is a singer and provided background vocals and songs in films such as Shrek. 

He also released a studio album How Could it Be (1995). All in all, Murphy is one of the best entertainers of his generation and is highly talented.

He still acts currently, and his net worth should only increase over time as he continues to put out different projects.

Key Takeaways 

Now that you know what the net worth of Eddie Murphy is and how he built it, let’s take a look at some of the most important lessons we can take from his journey.

Always Look to Better Your Career

Murphy started as a comedian but smartly transitioned into acting, which is where most of his earnings came from.

As you begin your career, you should never get complacent — your second or third career pivot could be the one that sets you up for financial freedom.

Failure Will Always Exist

Murphy had seen excellent box office success but went through a slump where his movies weren’t doing that well commercially.

He handled it with grit, though, and bounced back. Now, few would even remember his struggles. Failure, no matter how successful you become, will always take place.

So don’t fear it; embrace it and learn from it.