Comedy Icon, 64, Reflects on ‘Pioneering’ a Genre Ahead of New Release originally appeared on Parade.
Beverly Hills Cop. 48 Hrs. Trading Places. Eddie Murphy is a name synonymous with action comedies, and it’s because he practically invented the formula. As his new film The Pickup, opposite Pete Davidson, premieres on Prime today, the Hollywood legend took a look back at his influence on a genre that’s exploded over the last few decades.
“The first real action comedy of this kind was 48 Hrs. because before that, remember it was all Clint Eastwood saying, ‘Go ahead, make my day,’ and Charles Bronson in Death Wish, all these hard-nosed cops,” Murphy, 64, said in an interview with USA Today published on August 6. “After our movie, it seemed suddenly every tough guy had the one-liners: (Arnold Schwarzenegger’s) ‘Hasta la vista’ or (Bruce Willis‘) ‘Yippee ki-yay.’ So, yeah, I kind of pioneered the genre.”
In the past, Murphy has been perfect for the role of the wisecracking partner, but it looks like he’s ready to pass the torch with The Pickup. This time around, Murphy’s character, an armored truck driver named Russell, has one goal in mind, and that’s getting through his shift to make it home in time for an anniversary dinner with his wife. However, Davidson’s character, the relentlessly optimistic Travis, throws a wrench into his plans when he accidentally gives away some crucial information that leads to the truck being hijacked.
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“I love Pete, he’s an interesting mix, talented and funny,” Murphy told the publication. “We had great chemistry. We have a lot in common. We both started as stand-up comics really young, we both were on Saturday Night Live very young, we both lost our dads really young, and we both have a connection with women that comedians usually don’t have.”
While The Pickup may be the moment Murphy signals he’s ready to move on to the more mature half of the duos in buddy comedies, it’s a reminder of just how far he’s come.
Comedy Icon, 64, Reflects on ‘Pioneering’ a Genre Ahead of New Release first appeared on Parade on Aug 6, 2025
This story was originally reported by Parade on Aug 6, 2025, where it first appeared.
