Eddie Murphy's 'Being Eddie': A Raw, Hilarious Look at Comedy's Enduring Icon on Netflix

Eddie Murphy has been a force in entertainment for nearly five decades, evolving from a brash Brooklyn teen comedian to a versatile icon who’s tackled everything from raunchy stand-up to family-friendly animation. Now, for the first time, Murphy pulls back the curtain on his extraordinary life in Being Eddie, a revealing Netflix documentary directed by two-time Oscar winner Angus Wall. Premiering globally on November 12, 2025, this film isn’t just a career retrospective—it’s a candid, laugh-out-loud portrait of resilience, reinvention, and the pursuit of peace amid fame’s chaos. If you’ve ever quoted Gumby from Saturday Night Live or rooted for Axel Foley in Beverly Hills Cop, this doc is your ticket to understanding the genius behind the grins.At 64, Eddie Murphy remains as sharp and unpredictable as ever. The trailer, dropped just days ago, opens with Murphy’s signature baritone: “There’s only one Eddie Murphy.” It’s no exaggeration. Being Eddie grants unprecedented access, filming inside his Beverly Hills home where he reflects on a journey that began in the gritty comedy clubs of 1970s New York. Wall, known for editing hits like The Social Network and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, crafts a narrative that feels less like a biography and more like a fireside chat with your funniest uncle. Murphy doesn’t just recount milestones; he dissects them with raw honesty, admitting the vulnerabilities that fueled his boldest risks.The documentary traces Murphy’s meteoric rise from a 19-year-old SNL phenom in 1980 to box-office gold in the ’80s. Remember 48 Hrs. (1982), where he traded barbs with Nick Nolte and shattered stereotypes as a street-smart cop? Or Trading Places (1983), a sharp satire on Wall Street excess that paired him with Dan Aykroyd and earned critical acclaim for its biting social commentary? These weren’t just hits; they redefined Black representation in Hollywood. Murphy tells Wall, “My stuff took off because they’d never seen a young Black person take charge.” It’s a poignant line that underscores the barriers he smashed, paving the way for future stars like Dave Chappelle and Kevin Hart.But Being Eddie doesn’t stop at nostalgia. It dives into the ’90s pivot to family fare with The Nutty Professor (1996), where Murphy’s virtuoso performance—seven distinct characters in one body—netted him a Golden Globe nod and $273 million at the box office. Clips from the film show his chameleon-like talent, morphing from the bombastic Professor Klump to the sly Buddy Love. The doc also spotlights his voice work as Donkey in the Shrek franchise, a role that brought joy to three generations and raked in billions. “Eddie went from the Raw guy to the family guy,” notes Tracee Ellis Ross in the trailer, capturing his seamless genre-hopping from X-rated stand-up to PG-rated blockbusters.What elevates Being Eddie beyond a highlight reel is its star-studded chorus of admirers. The lineup reads like a comedy hall of fame: Chris Rock, Dave Chappelle, Jamie Foxx, Jerry Seinfeld, Kevin Hart, Pete Davidson, Arsenio Hall, Tracy Morgan, and more. Rock calls Murphy “one of the greatest ever,” while Chappelle marvels at his influence on stand-up specials like Delirious (1983) and Raw (1987)—concerts that packed stadiums and redefined live comedy on film. Directors like John Landis (Coming to America) and Jerry Bruckheimer share production war stories, from Murphy’s improvisational genius on set to his unyielding work ethic. Even Ruth E. Carter, the Oscar-winning costumer behind Black Panther, chimes in on how Murphy’s style inspired cultural shifts. These testimonials aren’t fawning; they’re reverent yet ribald, laced with anecdotes that humanize the legend—like Murphy’s early impressions of Elvis and Bill Cosby, honed in his mother’s living room.Yet, beneath the glamour, Being Eddie confronts the toll of superstardom. Murphy opens up about personal heartbreaks, including the tragic loss of his brother Charlie to cancer in 2017, and the scrutiny of his high-profile romances. He reflects on walking away from SNL at the peak of his fame and the deliberate choice to prioritize family over endless sequels. “Pursue peace of mind. If you get that, then you got it all,” he advises in the trailer, a mantra that resonates in an era of burnout culture. Wall describes Murphy as “insightful, hilarious, and spiritual,” noting how faith and introspection have guided him through Hollywood’s highs and lows. It’s this interior life—rarely glimpsed in his films—that makes the doc so compelling. Fans craving the unfiltered Eddie of Delirious will love the humor, but it’s the wisdom that lingers.For Netflix subscribers, Being Eddie arrives at a perfect time. The platform just revived Murphy’s Beverly Hills Cop franchise with Axel F (2024), a smash hit that proved his enduring draw. Pair this doc with a binge of Coming 2 America or Dolemite Is My Name (2019), and you’ve got the ultimate Murphy marathon. Directed with Wall’s precise eye, the film clocks in at around 90 minutes, blending archival footage, home videos, and new interviews into a tapestry that’s as dynamic as its subject. Early buzz from outlets like USA Today and People hails it as “unprecedented access” and a “breathtaking body of work revisited.”Why watch Being Eddie? In a landscape flooded with superficial celeb docs, this one stands out for its authenticity. Murphy isn’t chasing redemption; he’s celebrating evolution. It’s a reminder that true icons don’t just entertain—they inspire. As Hart quips in the film, “Eddie’s the blueprint.” Whether you’re a die-hard from the SNL days or discovering him via TikTok clips, this documentary captures the spark that’s kept him relevant across eras.As we head into awards season, Being Eddie feels Emmy-bound, much like What Happened, Miss Simone? or Jagged. It’s not just Murphy’s story; it’s a love letter to comedy’s power to heal and unite. Mark your calendars for November 12—because in the words of the man himself, laughter is the ultimate legacy.