Eddie Murphy and Jimmy Kimmel
On November 29, 2023, Jimmy Kimmel held up an old album cover. It was Eddie Murphy’s 1985 record How Could It Be, and the liner notes included an unusual dedication: “To Richard Pryor, my idol, with whom I have a $100,000 bet.” Kimmel wanted to know the story.
Murphy explained that Pryor didn’t believe he could make a real music album, since he was already famous for comedy. So Murphy bet him $100,000. Murphy made the album, but, he said, Pryor never paid up. The two later worked together on Harlem Nights, and Murphy said he never brought it up.
That interview is one of many memorable moments between Eddie Murphy and Jimmy Kimmel. Murphy has visited Kimmel’s show to promote films, tell wild Hollywood stories, and even hint at a return to stand-up comedy.
This article covers their best moments, both of their backgrounds, career highlights, and where they are in 2026.
Quick Facts
| Eddie Murphy | Jimmy Kimmel | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Edward Regan Murphy | James Christian Kimmel |
| Born | April 3, 1961 | November 13, 1967 |
| Birthplace | Brooklyn, New York | Brooklyn, New York |
| Known for | SNL, Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America | Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Oscars host |
| Major honors | Mark Twain Prize, Golden Globe Cecil B. DeMille Award | Multiple Emmy nominations, four-time Oscars host |
| Shared trait | Brooklyn-born comedy stars | Brooklyn-born comedy stars |
Best Moments: Eddie Murphy and Jimmy Kimmel
The Richard Pryor Bet (2023)
During his November 2023 visit, Murphy told the story of his bet with Pryor and shared other stories from his early fame. He recalled hosting Sammy Davis Jr.’s 60th anniversary TV special in 1990, where guests included Frank Sinatra, Stevie Wonder, and Michael Jackson. He remembered Sinatra telling him he was “looking younger every day.” He also talked about attending movie nights at Davis’s house, where he met stars like Lucille Ball.
He was promoting the Prime Video holiday film Candy Cane Lane and discussing Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F, which reunited him with the role of Axel Foley nearly 40 years after the original.
Hinting at Stand-Up (2016)
In a 2016 appearance, Murphy told Kimmel he “might” return to stand-up comedy, a big deal for fans who had waited decades for him to return to the stage after his legendary specials Delirious and Raw.
Impressions
Murphy has also shown off his famous impressions on Kimmel’s show, including a pitch-perfect take on fellow comedian Tracy Morgan.
Eddie Murphy: Early Life and Education
Eddie Murphy was born on April 3, 1961, in Brooklyn, New York, and grew up in Roosevelt, Long Island. His father, a police officer and amateur comedian, died when Eddie was eight. Eddie started performing stand-up as a teenager and was doing comedy clubs by 15. He graduated from Roosevelt Junior-Senior High School.
Eddie Murphy: Career Timeline
- 1980: Joined Saturday Night Live at 19 and became its breakout star with characters like Mister Robinson and Gumby.
- 1982: Made his film debut in 48 Hrs.
- 1983: Starred in Trading Places and released the stand-up special Delirious.
- 1984: Starred as Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop, a huge hit.
- 1987: Released Raw, one of the highest-grossing stand-up films ever.
- 1988: Starred in Coming to America.
- 1996: Starred in The Nutty Professor, playing multiple roles.
- 1998 and 2001: Voiced Mushu in Mulan and Donkey in Shrek.
- 2006: Earned an Oscar nomination for Dreamgirls.
- 2015: Received the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor.
- 2019: Returned to host SNL and starred in Dolemite Is My Name.
- 2021: Returned in Coming 2 America.
- 2023: Received the Cecil B. DeMille Award at the Golden Globes.
- 2024: Returned as Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F on Netflix.
Jimmy Kimmel: Early Life and Education
Jimmy Kimmel was born on November 13, 1967, in Brooklyn, New York, and moved to Las Vegas at age nine. He attended UNLV and Arizona State University but didn’t graduate. He worked in radio for years, including on KROQ in Los Angeles.
Jimmy Kimmel: Career Timeline
- 1997: Co-hosted Win Ben Stein’s Money, winning a Daytime Emmy.
- 1999: Co-created The Man Show with Adam Carolla.
- 2003: Launched Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC.
- 2017, 2018, 2023, 2024: Hosted the Academy Awards.
- 2025: His show was briefly pulled in September after comments about Charlie Kirk’s killing, then returned about a week later. In December, he extended his contract through May 2027.
- 2026: ABC denied a September report that the show would end in 2027.
How Their Careers Compare
| Category | Eddie Murphy | Jimmy Kimmel |
|---|---|---|
| Main field | Stand-up, film | Late-night TV |
| Breakout | SNL (1980) | Win Ben Stein’s Money, The Man Show |
| Signature work | Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, Shrek | Jimmy Kimmel Live! |
| Comedy style | High-energy impressions and characters | Dry, satirical interviews |
| Big honors | Mark Twain Prize, DeMille Award | Four-time Oscars host |
| Hometown | Brooklyn | Brooklyn |
What Eddie Murphy and Jimmy Kimmel Have in Common
- Brooklyn-born: Both were born in Brooklyn, New York.
- Comedy legends: Murphy is one of the most influential comedians ever. Kimmel has hosted late-night TV for more than two decades.
- Long careers: Both have stayed at the top of comedy for decades.
- Storytelling: Murphy’s interviews are full of wild stories, and Kimmel knows how to draw them out.
- Love of comedy history: Their 2023 conversation showed a shared appreciation for comedy legends like Richard Pryor.
Murphy’s Influence on Comedy
Murphy changed comedy in the 1980s. He was one of the youngest stars of SNL, helped save the show during a tough period, and then became one of the biggest movie stars in the world. Comedians from Chris Rock to Kevin Hart cite him as a major influence. In fact, Murphy helped give Chris Rock his first film role in Beverly Hills Cop II.
Where to Watch
Clips of the 2023 interview and Murphy’s other appearances are on the official Jimmy Kimmel Live! YouTube channel. Murphy’s stand-up films Delirious and Raw, along with Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F on Netflix, are great places to start.
Murphy’s Famous Characters
Murphy became famous for creating unforgettable characters. On SNL, he played Buckwheat, Gumby, and Mister Robinson, a twist on Mister Rogers. In Coming to America, he played several roles, including Prince Akeem and the barber Clarence. In The Nutty Professor, he played nearly the entire Klump family. His gift for voices also made Donkey one of the most beloved characters in the Shrek films.
Kimmel’s Love of Comedy Legends
Kimmel often uses his show to celebrate comedy history, inviting legends to tell stories about their careers. His conversation with Murphy about Richard Pryor, Sammy Davis Jr., and Frank Sinatra was a perfect example. These long-form stories give viewers a look at the history behind today’s comedy.
For fans of Eddie Murphy and Jimmy Kimmel, these interviews are a chance to hear behind-the-scenes stories from one of comedy’s greatest stars. They also show why Eddie Murphy and Jimmy Kimmel make such an entertaining pair.
In Short
Murphy is a comedy legend with decades of iconic roles, and Kimmel is a host who knows how to bring out his best stories. Their Brooklyn roots add a fun twist.
Fun Facts
- Murphy was only 19 when he joined SNL.
- Kimmel’s first TV job was co-hosting a game show.
- Both grew up far from Brooklyn: Murphy on Long Island and Kimmel in Las Vegas.
Final Thoughts
Eddie Murphy and Jimmy Kimmel, both born in Brooklyn, have shared some of late-night TV’s most entertaining conversations. Murphy brings legendary stories, from betting Richard Pryor $100,000 to meeting Frank Sinatra. Kimmel brings the curiosity and timing to make those stories shine. For fans of comedy, the Eddie Murphy and Jimmy Kimmel interviews are a fun window into Hollywood history.
Key Takeaways
- Eddie Murphy was born April 3, 1961, in Brooklyn. Jimmy Kimmel was born November 13, 1967, also in Brooklyn.
- On November 29, 2023, Murphy told Kimmel about his $100,000 bet with Richard Pryor over making a music album, which he said Pryor never paid.
- In a 2016 appearance, Murphy told Kimmel he “might” return to stand-up comedy.
- Murphy joined SNL at 19, starred in Beverly Hills Cop and Coming to America, voiced Donkey in Shrek, and received the Mark Twain Prize in 2015.
- Murphy returned as Axel Foley in 2024’s Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F.
- Kimmel launched Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2003, has hosted the Oscars four times, and is under contract through May 2027.
- Eddie Murphy and Jimmy Kimmel share Brooklyn roots and a deep love of comedy history.
