- By Tapapriya Dutta
- Sat, 22 Nov 2025 10:30 AM (IST)
- Source:JND
American actor Eddie Murphy, known for Coming To America and Beverly Hills Cop, is set to receive the 51st AFI Life Achievement Award. The American Film Institute to honour the actor at a gala tribute at the Dolby Theatre in Hollywood on April 18. Notably, AFI is considered the highest honour for a career in film. The AFI Life Achievement Award is given out every year. It honours the talent who showcased his/her best in cinematic arts, demonstrated longevity and been acknowledged by scholars, critics, peers and audiences alike.
Eddie Murphy fits the criteria as he has a massive body of work as an actor and comedian. He is considered one of the most popular African American artists. Some of his popular works are Coming to America, Beverly Hills Cop, Norbit, The Nutty Professor, Shrek, The Pickup, Trading Places, Beverly Hills Cop 4, Shrek 5, Dr Dolittle, Coming To America 2, Daddy Day Care and Life, to name a few.
Eddie Murphy has done some stand-up specials like 1983’s Delirious and 1987’s Raw. His role as a cast member on Saturday Night Live contributed to his immense cultural impact. Recently, he featured in the Being Eddie and Amazon Prime Video action comedy movie, The Pickup. The film was released in theatres on July 27, 2025. The movie also features Keke Palmer, Pete Davidson, Eva Longoria, Roman Reigns, Andrew Dice Clay and Ismael Cruz Córdova in key roles.
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AFI Board of Trustees chairwoman Kathleen Kennedy said in a statement, “Eddie Murphy is an American icon. A trailblazing force in the art forms of film, television and stand-up comedy, his versatility knows no bounds. Across five decades, his enduring impact on our culture has inspired artists and audiences alike, and AFI is proud to honour him with the 51st AFI Life Achievement Award.”
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For the unversed, the AFI Life Achievement Award honoree is selected by the AFI Board of Trustees. In 2024, the award was given to American filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola. The winners from the past decade include Steve Martin, John Williams, Diane Keaton, George Clooney, Denzel Washington, Julie Andrews and Nicole Kidman.
