Eddie Murphy to receive AFI life achievement award

The American Film Institute announced Friday that Eddie Murphy will receive its prestigious life achievement award. The comedy legend will be honoured at a special ceremony on April 18 at the Dolby Theatre in Los Angeles.

Kathleen Kennedy, chair of AFI's board of trustees, shared,"Eddie Murphy is an American icon. A trailblazing force in the art forms of film, television and stand-up comedy, his versatility knows no bounds."

Murphy has dominated the entertainment world for almost five decades. He started as a teenage stand-up comedian before joining the cast of "Saturday Night Live". He then became a box office powerhouse with blockbuster films including "Beverly Hills Cop", "Coming to America", "The Nutty Professor" and the "Shrek" franchise.

In 2007, Murphy earned an Oscar nomination for best supporting actor for his role in "Dreamgirls". Murphy received the Cecil B DeMille Award at the 2023 Golden Globes. 

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The AFI tribute events typically draw major Hollywood stars. Last year's celebration for Francis Ford Coppola attracted Steven Spielberg, Robert De Niro and Harrison Ford.

Murphy becomes the 51st person to receive the AFI life achievement award since it was first presented to director John Ford in 1973.