Honestly, for a long time, Eddie Murphy was kind of a ghost. Not the "not working" kind—he’s always been around—but the "where is the real guy?" kind. You’d see him in a movie, maybe a press junket where he’d do that iconic laugh, and then he’d vanish back into his massive estate to be a dad to his ten kids. But Eddie Murphy now is different. He’s in this weird, wonderful "victory lap" phase of his career where he’s stopped protecting the mystique and started actually talking to us.
If you caught the Netflix documentary Being Eddie that dropped recently, you know what I’m talking about. It’s not just a clip show of Saturday Night Live sketches or Beverly Hills Cop highlights. It’s a guy in his 60s looking at 50 years of show business and admitting that, for a while, he just wasn't having that much fun.
The Career Pivot Most People Missed
We all remember the "lean years." There was a stretch where it felt like Eddie was just doing whatever scripts showed up. He even admitted on Marc Maron’s podcast a while back that he was getting "sh*tty" scripts and the critics were eating him alive. So, he took a break. A long one.
The Eddie Murphy now we see in 2026 is the result of that reset. It started with Dolemite Is My Name in 2019, which reminded everyone that the man has serious acting chops. Since then, he’s been remarkably strategic. He’s not chasing every role anymore. He’s doing the "legacy" stuff—the sequels we actually wanted like Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F—while also setting up massive future plays.
Take Shrek 5, for example. It’s officially on the books for a late 2026 release (December 23rd, to be exact). Murphy didn't just sign on to voice Donkey again; he basically willed a Donkey spinoff movie into existence. He told Collider that they started recording the first act of Shrek 5 months ago. It’s a massive paycheck, sure, but it’s also him reclaiming the characters that made him a global icon.
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What’s on the 2026 Slate?
It’s actually a pretty packed year for him. Beyond the return to Far Far Away, he’s been working on some projects that feel way more "early Eddie" than "family movie Eddie."
- The George Clinton Biopic: This is a huge passion project. He’s playing the Parliament-Funkadelic frontman, directed by Bill Condon. It’s the kind of transformative role that smells like Oscar bait.
- The Pink Panther: He’s taking over the Inspector Clouseau role. It’s a bold move considering Peter Sellers' legacy, but Eddie’s version is reportedly going to have a specific Haitian-French twist.
- Playas Ball: This one is wild. It’s an action-comedy about the undead. It's written by his son, Myles Murphy, and directed by Kyle Newacheck (the guy who did Happy Gilmore 2).
Why He’s Finally Receiving the AFI Life Achievement Award
On April 18, 2026, the American Film Institute is giving him the 51st AFI Life Achievement Award. It’s a big deal. Usually, these awards go to the "serious" dramatic actors or the Spielbergs of the world. Seeing Eddie Murphy up there—the guy who was once considered the "foul-mouthed" kid from SNL—is a massive shift in how Hollywood views comedy.
The board specifically cited his "versatility." That's code for: "We realized he’s been carrying the box office on his back for four decades." From 48 Hrs. to Dreamgirls, he’s navigated the industry in a way very few Black actors were allowed to in the 80s.
The Stand-Up Question (Will He or Won't He?)
This is what every fan wants to know. For years, the rumor was a $70 million Netflix deal for a stand-up special. Then the pandemic happened. Then Eddie got comfortable on his couch.
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In a late 2025 interview with Derek Hough, Eddie was pretty blunt about it. He said he’s "open to it," but it has to be fun. He basically told the world that he’s not going to go out there and risk getting sick or feeling miserable just for a check. He’s got enough money. If we get a special in 2026, it’ll be because he actually has something to say, not because he needs the limelight.
Family: The Real Full-Time Job
You can't talk about Eddie Murphy now without talking about the kids. All ten of them. He’s become this "Elder Statesman" of comedy families.
Actually, the coolest thing happened recently: Eddie and Martin Lawrence are officially in-laws. Eddie’s son Eric and Martin’s daughter Jasmin got married in a really low-key church ceremony. No massive Hollywood gala, just a preacher and the two of them. Eddie joked on The Jennifer Hudson Show that if those two have kids, the "funny genes" are going to be off the charts.
He’s also made peace with the past. His relationship with Mel B (the mother of his daughter Angel) has reportedly "flourished" lately. They’re co-parenting properly, and Angel is a regular at the Murphy house for holidays. For a guy who used to be the subject of tabloid drama, he’s ended up in a remarkably stable, "family-first" place.
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The Verdict on Eddie Murphy's Current Era
Is he still the funniest man on the planet? Maybe. But he’s definitely the most comfortable. He isn't trying to prove he's the "it" boy anymore because he knows he's the G.O.A.T.
The move toward more biopics and the return to his most famous voices (Donkey, Clouseau) suggests he’s focused on high-quality output rather than high-frequency output. He watches Seinfeld reruns with his wife, Paige Butcher, and goes to bed early. He’s basically become a cool suburban dad who just happens to be a billionaire movie star.
What to Watch and Follow Next
If you want to keep up with this specific era of his career, here is the best way to do it:
- Watch "Being Eddie" on Netflix: It is the definitive look at his headspace right now. It explains the "why" behind his 50-year career.
- Mark April 18, 2026, on your calendar: The AFI Gala will likely be televised or streamed later, and the speeches from his peers will probably be legendary.
- Track the "Playas Ball" Release: Since it’s written by his son, it’s a good indicator of whether the Murphy comedy dynasty is going to continue into the next generation.
- Listen for the Donkey Spinoff: Keep an eye on DreamWorks announcements. The Shrek 5 buzz is just the beginning; the standalone Donkey movie is where Eddie is likely to have the most creative freedom.
The era of "hiding" is over. Eddie is back, but on his own terms.