Legendary comedian Eddie Murphy’s unparalleled character work in Coming to America was so convincing that even civil rights icon Jesse Jackson believed his multiple roles were real, highlighting Murphy’s transformative genius as revealed in his documentary Being Eddie.
Few actors possess the transformative power of Eddie Murphy. His ability to fully embody multiple distinct characters within a single film is a hallmark of his comedic genius, a talent so profound it once completely fooled civil rights activist Jesse Jackson. The hilarious anecdote, shared by Murphy himself in his Netflix documentary Being Eddie, offers a unique glimpse into the sheer believability of his iconic roles in the 1988 classic Coming to America.
The Ultimate Compliment: When Characters Felt Real
The incident occurred at the afterparty for the original Coming to America. Jesse Jackson, genuinely impressed by what he believed were seasoned older Black actors in the film, approached Eddie Murphy to express his gratitude. Murphy recounted Jackson saying, “Hey, you know, I wanna say thank you for looking out for some of the older Black actors and putting them in the film, you know, and giving them a shot because those guys are gonna become stars.”
Murphy’s roles included the wise and humorous barbershop owner, Clarence, alongside an elderly Jewish customer, Saul, among others. Jackson’s sincere praise for these characters underscores the incredible work of Murphy and the film’s makeup artists. The comedian’s reveal — “Motherf—er, that was me!” — left Jackson stunned, prompting him to declare, “Now I got to go see the movie again,” a detail reported by Entertainment Weekly.
A History of Hilarious Transformations
This particular incident is made even more amusing by Eddie Murphy’s own history of impersonating Jesse Jackson. Just a few years prior to Coming to America, Murphy famously parodied Jackson on a February 25, 1984, episode of Saturday Night Live, showcasing his early talent for embodying public figures, a period detailed by Entertainment Weekly.
Coming to America was a groundbreaking moment in Murphy’s career, marking the first time he took on multiple characters in a single film. Beyond his role as Prince Akeem Joffer, he brought to life an array of memorable personas:
- Randy Watson, the soulful and sometimes off-key singer of Sexual Chocolate.
- Clarence, the elderly and opinionated barbershop owner.
- Saul, an elderly Jewish customer at the same barbershop.
This film set a precedent for his future work, establishing a pattern that would see him masterfully inhabit numerous personas across various blockbusters. His dedication to character development, often aided by extensive makeup, became a signature. This commitment was evident in later films, where he continued to explore the limits of his versatility:
- Vampire in Brooklyn (1995), where he played three characters.
- The Nutty Professor (1996), where he took on seven characters.
- Bowfinger (1999), featuring two of his characters.
- Nutty Professor II: The Klumps (2000), expanding to eight characters.
- Norbit (2007), showcasing three distinct personas.
The Enduring Legacy of Transformation
The success of these multi-character performances led to the highly anticipated sequel, Coming 2 America, released in 2021. Both Eddie Murphy and his co-star Arsenio Hall reprised their original roles, including their respective multiple characters, a testament to the enduring popularity and iconic status of these creations. Arsenio Hall also famously played four different characters in the original film, further highlighting the comedic duo’s incredible range.
In Being Eddie, Murphy elaborated on his deep passion for these transformations, explaining, “When I get a voice or a character, the way my voice sounds, I can lose it completely. There’s no sign of my voice. Characters are like real people.” This profound commitment, he noted, stems from his childhood fascination with “makeup movies” like 1939’s The Hunchback of Notre Dame, starring Charles Laughton, which he watched repeatedly. This dedication is what allows Eddie Murphy to not just play characters, but to become them, even to the point of convincing those who know him best that his creations are entirely separate individuals, a talent that continually captivates audiences, as highlighted in his documentary, available on Netflix.
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