Eddie Murphy Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Eddie Murphy’s net worth and salary: What do they look like?

Eddie Murphy, an American actor, comedian, producer, and director, boasts a net worth of $200 million. Recognized as one of the highest-grossing actors in film history, his movies have collectively grossed nearly $7 billion at the global box office. This achievement places him as the sixth highest-grossing American actor. During the late 80s through the 2000s, he consistently ranked among the highest-paid actors worldwide, often making $20 million per film. Throughout his career, Eddie has easily accumulated over $300 million in salaries and backend royalties. Notably, in 2019, Netflix paid him $70 million for a series of comedy specials. Adding it all together, from the deals we are aware of, his career earnings reach at least $420 million.

In the early 1980s, Saturday Night Live provided Murphy with a national platform, propelling him to stardom. He created memorable characters for the iconic sketch comedy show, such as Buckwheat, Mister Robinson, and Gumby.

Murphy’s passion for comedy ignited as a teenager after he listened to one of Richard Pryor’s albums. When he joined SNL in 1980, the show’s popularity had waned; Lorne Michaels had exited, and the original cast had departed. Murphy is often credited with revitalizing the program.

Between 1980 and 1984, Murphy featured in 65 episodes of SNL, joining at just 19 years old. His comedy frequently addressed race issues in provocative ways. Sketches like “Mister Robinson’s Neighborhood” and “White Like Me” have achieved classic status. The show catapulted him to celebrity status. In a 2015 ranking of the greatest SNL cast members, Murphy was positioned second behind John Belushi.

While still on SNL, Murphy’s film career began with 48 Hours in 1982. He then went on to star in a string of blockbuster films, including Trading Places, the Beverly Hills Cop series, Coming to America, Harlem Nights, and Another 48 Hrs. Although his box office appeal saw a slight decline in the 1990s, it was rejuvenated by several family-friendly films, particularly Mulan, the Shrek series, and the Nutty Professor films. In 2006, Murphy received an Academy Award nomination and won a Golden Globe for his performance in Dreamgirls. In 2021, he made his appearance in the rebooted sequel, Coming 2 America.

Early Life

Brought into the world in Brooklyn, NY, on April 3, 1961, Eddie Murphy grew up in the Bushwick neighborhood of Brooklyn. His father worked as a transit cop and was also an amateur comedian, while his mother held a job as a telephone operator. Unfortunately, Eddie’s father passed away when he turned eight. During a period when their mother fell ill temporarily, he and his older brother, Charlie Murphy, spent some time in foster care. Eventually, their mother recovered and remarried.

Eddie developed a passion for comedy after listening to a Richard Pryor album during his teenage years. Bill Cosby’s work also had a significant impact on him. At just 19, Eddie joined the cast of Saturday Night Live in 1980. The program was then struggling significantly with ratings following the departure of its original stars. However, Eddie quickly became a sensation, revitalizing the show. He stayed with SNL until 1984.

Film Career

While still part of SNL, Eddie made his feature film debut in 48 Hrs in 1982. This was followed by a string of successful films, such as Trading Places, the Beverly Hills Cop series, Coming to America, Harlem Nights, and Another 48 Hrs. Although his box office appeal waned somewhat in the 1990s, he made a comeback with a collection of family-oriented movies, including Mulan, the Shrek franchise, Dreamgirls, and the Nutty Professor films.

In 2006, he earned an Academy Award nomination and won a Golden Globe for his performance in Dreamgirls. Moreover, he has produced several of his own movies, such as Vampire in Brooklyn, Life, and Harlem Nights, which he also directed. It was announced in 2017 that Eddie would reprise his role in the Beverly Hills Cop series, with Beverly Hills Cop 4 set to be released in the near future. In 2021, he starred in the sequel Coming 2 America.

Personal Life

Eddie Murphy tied the knot with his long-term girlfriend, Nicole Mitchell, in 1993, but they divorced in 2006. Reportedly, Eddie provided Nicole with a $15 million settlement upon their divorce. His romantic history includes dating Spice Girl Mel B from 2006 to 2007 and businesswoman Tracey Edmonds in 2008. Since 2012, he has been in a relationship with model Paige Butcher, and they became engaged in September 2018. Eddie is the father of ten children from his various relationships.

Throughout his career, Murphy has made contributions to various causes and charities, such as the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the Martin Luther King Jr. Center, and a notable donation of $100,000 to the Screen Actors’ Guild strike relief fund.

Eddie Murphy Salary Highlights

In 1981, Murphy received only $4,500 for each episode of Saturday Night Live. His salary increased to $30,000 per episode the following year. For his role in 48 Hours, he earned $450,000 in 1982. By 1990, his pay for the sequel Another 48 Hours hit $7 million. The first significant payment he received came in 1984 when he was paid $1 million for Best Defense. In the 1980s, 1990s, and the early 2000s, Eddie’s earnings from film salaries and backend points surpassed $250 million, with his overall film income likely exceeding $300 million.

Below is a quick overview of noteworthy salaries earned by Eddie Murphy throughout his career:

• He earned $8 million in 1987 for Beverly Hills Cop II, equivalent to approximately $18 million today when adjusted for inflation.
• The following year, he received another $8 million for Coming to America.
• For Beverly Hills Cop III in 1994, he earned $15 million, which is roughly $25 million in today’s economy.
• $16 million for The Nutty Professor (1996)
• $17.5 million for Doctor Dolittle (1998)
• $20 million for Nutty Professor II (2000)
• Additionally, for Nutty Professor II, he received 20% of the gross receipts, bringing his total earnings from the film to over $60 million.
• $3 million for Shrek (2001)
• $20 million from Doctor Dolittle 2 (2001)
• $20 million for The Adventures of Pluto Nash (2002)
• $10 million for Shrek 2 (2004)
• $4 million for Shrek Forever, potentially reaching up to $12 million with backend points.
• $7.5 million from Tower Heist (2011)

Netflix Project

Reports in July 2019 indicated that Eddie was negotiating a $70 million deal to create a series of comedy specials for Netflix. This amount surpasses the $60 million received by Dave Chappelle for his three-special deal, and Chris Rock’s $40 million for two specials.

Eddie Murphy Quote on Money

“Every bad decision I’ve made has been based on money. Growing up in the projects, you can’t turn down money. You take it because you never.”

I’m uncertain about when it will all conclude. The reason I made Beverly Hills Cop III was due to a $15 million offer. That amount was worth enduring Roger Ebert’s critical commentary.“

Real Estate

Eddie has owned several remarkable mansions over the years. During the 1990s, he resided in an extravagant custom-built mansion located in a luxurious gated community in Granite Bay, California (close to Sacramento). Following the sale of the Granite Bay residence, he acquired a 3.7-acre undeveloped lot in Beverly Park, a highly exclusive neighborhood in Beverly Hills, for $10 million. Beverly Park is a gated community situated in the priciest area of Beverly Hills, home to celebrities such as Mark Wahlberg, Denzel Washington, Rod Stewart, and Sylvester Stallone, along with numerous multi-billionaires.

After purchasing the lot in 2001 for $10 million, Eddie invested an undisclosed sum in constructing an impressive 40,000 square-foot mansion. This residence comprises 32 rooms, including nine bedrooms and nine bathrooms. Additionally, the property features a large swimming pool, a tennis court, a library, and a bowling alley. Should it be listed on the market, the house would likely sell for over $30-40 million. A previous home Eddie owned in Beverly Hills during the 1980s was listed for $85 million by a subsequent owner in 2016.

In 2007, Eddie made a $15 million purchase of a 15-acre private island known as Rooster Cay in the Bahamas. He had previously owned another private island called Pearl Island.

After seven years on the market, Murphy finally sold his New Jersey home in 2012 for $12 million, having originally listed it for $30 million.