Staying active in Hollywood for almost 40 years now, Eddie Murphy was on Monday, December 2, honored with a career achievement award at the Celebration of Black Cinemas, presented by the Critics’ Choice Association.
Murphy, who has done quite a number of African-American related movies took to the podium upon receiving the merit, congratulating African American filmmakers that have done it for his kind, “Congratulations to the African American film critics, because when I started making movies almost 40 years ago, there were no African American filmmakers, they didn’t have no makeup, no hair department, producers, none of that. It was rough, especially if you went to the hair department.”
Murphy was handed the award by Oscar winning costume designer Ruth E. Carter, whom he has partnered with on the sequel development of ‘Coming 2 America’. “Before ‘Black Panther’ introduced us to African royalty, Eddie Murphy did in ‘Coming to America’, so when Eddie called to ask me to design for the sequel, I didn’t waste a moment. I packed my bags, got my passport and headed from Wakanda to Zumunda,” said Carter.
Other honorees on the night were Chiwetel Ejiofor, ‘Harriet’ director Kasi Lemmons and actress Nia Long. The night was hosted by Cheryl Boone, with a star-studded guest including Wesley Snipes, Kendrick Sampson, Larry Karaszewski, Sydell Noel and Lonnie Chavis among others.
Murphy currently stars in the Netflix-stationed drama/comedy ‘Dolemite Is My Name’. He will host NBC’s ‘Saturday Night Live’ on December 21, 2019.
