The 1980s were a wild fever dream of leather suits, neon lights, and larger-than-life personalities who seemed almost invincible. At the center of that whirlwind stood two men who defined their respective crafts: Eddie Murphy and Mike Tyson. One was the undisputed king of comedy, selling out arenas like a rock star. The other was the youngest heavyweight champion in history, a man whose "Iron Mike" persona struck literal terror into his opponents.
When you put those two in a room, you expect fireworks. Or maybe a brawl.
What actually happened was a strange, enduring friendship that survived heckling, public mockery, and the intense pressure of being the biggest stars on the planet at the same time. People always ask if they ever had beef. Honestly, it’s more complicated than that. It was a mix of mutual respect and a very daring comedian testing the limits of a man who punched people for a living.
The Night Eddie Murphy Mocked Mike Tyson to His Face
One of the most legendary moments in pop culture history took place in 1989. It was the 60th Anniversary Celebration for Sammy Davis Jr. The room was packed with legends. Frank Sinatra, Whitney Houston, and Clint Eastwood were all there. Mike Tyson was sitting in the audience, looking every bit the intimidating champion.
Then Eddie Murphy took the stage.
Eddie didn't just tell jokes. He decided to do his Mike Tyson impression right then and there. If you’ve seen it, you know the drill: the high-pitched voice, the slight lisp, and the soft-spoken demeanor that contrasted so sharply with the violence Tyson unleashed in the ring.
Eddie stood there and basically told Mike—in Mike's own voice—that he was suing him. The joke was that Mike had punched Eddie in the arm "just to say hi" and now Eddie's arm was permanently ruined.
The camera panned to Tyson. The entire room held its breath.
Tyson wasn't just laughing; he was practically doubled over. He looked at Eddie with this "man, you’re crazy" grin. It’s a moment that perfectly captures their dynamic. Eddie had the guts to poke the bear, and Mike, surprisingly, had the grace to be the punchline. This wasn't a scripted bit where they’d cleared every word beforehand. It was raw, off-the-cuff, and incredibly risky.
Why the Mike Tyson Impression Stuck
You've probably noticed that everyone has a Tyson impression now. But Eddie was the first to really nail the "soft-spoken assassin" vibe. In his later stand-up and various interviews, Murphy talked about how Tyson’s voice was the most disorienting thing about him. You expect a monster, and you get a guy who sounds like he’s explaining a delicate soufflé recipe.
Eddie's fascination with Mike wasn't just about the voice. It was about the power.
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Back in the 80s, Eddie Murphy was untouchable. He was the biggest movie star in the world thanks to Beverly Hills Cop and Coming to America. But even Eddie knew that in a physical world, Mike Tyson was the ultimate authority. By mimicking him, Eddie was humanizing a man the world treated like a myth.
The Las Vegas Connection
They were frequently seen together in Las Vegas. Whether it was at the craps tables or ringside at Mike’s fights, they were part of that elite circle of 80s royalty. There's a famous photo of Eddie, his brother Charlie Murphy, and Mike Tyson hanging out together in the late 80s. They look like they own the city.
Charlie Murphy, who later became famous for his "True Hollywood Stories" on Chappelle’s Show, often talked about those days. He described a world where they’d be hanging out with Mike and a pet lion. Yeah, a literal lion.
Imagine being in a hotel suite with the funniest man on earth, the baddest man on the planet, and a predator that could eat you. That was just a Tuesday for them.
The Reality of Their Friendship
Despite the jokes, there was a deep level of "real recognize real" between them. Both men had come from nothing. Eddie was from the streets of Brooklyn; Mike was from Brownsville. They both became millionaires before they were 21. They both faced intense scrutiny from the media.
In a way, they were the only people who truly understood what the other was going through. When Mike went through his legal troubles and eventual prison sentence in the early 90s, the public perception shifted. But the respect between him and Eddie never really wavered.
Years later, on his podcast Hotboxin' with Mike Tyson, Mike has spoken fondly of that era. He doesn't hold a grudge against Eddie for the impressions. If anything, he seems to view it as a badge of honor. You don't get parodied by Eddie Murphy unless you've reached a certain level of cultural significance.
What Most People Get Wrong
A common misconception is that Mike was offended by Eddie's Raw or Delirious era material. While Eddie didn't talk about Mike as much in those specials as he did Michael Jackson or Bill Cosby, the stuff he did say was always framed through a lens of fear.
Eddie wasn't making fun of Mike’s character; he was making fun of how terrified he was of Mike. That's a huge distinction. It’s the difference between an insult and a tribute.
Actionable Insights: Lessons from Two Icons
Looking back at the relationship between Eddie Murphy and Mike Tyson, there are a few things we can actually learn about navigating success and public life.
- Don't take yourself too seriously. Tyson’s ability to laugh at Eddie’s impression saved him from looking like a bully. If he had gotten angry, it would have validated every negative headline. By laughing, he won the room.
- Respect the craft. Eddie never tried to be a tough guy, and Mike never tried to be a comedian (at least not back then). They stayed in their lanes but appreciated the mastery the other brought to the table.
- Longevity requires evolution. Both men fell from their 80s peaks, faced massive personal hurdles, and eventually reinvented themselves. Eddie returned with a massive Netflix deal and Dolemite Is My Name; Mike became a podcasting mogul and a beloved elder statesman of sports.
- Keep your circle tight. The fact that we don't have a million "tell-all" stories about their private hangouts suggests they actually had a real friendship based on trust, not just PR.
If you want to see the pinnacle of 80s charisma, go find the clip of Eddie Murphy at the Sammy Davis Jr. tribute. Watch Mike’s face. It’s a masterclass in how to handle a joke and a reminder of a time when the world's biggest stars weren't afraid to actually be human around each other.
To dive deeper into this era, look for Charlie Murphy's old interviews where he talks about the "Uncle Ray" days in Vegas. It provides a much-needed perspective on the behind-the-scenes reality of the Murphy entourage during Tyson's prime.