‘White men run this business’: Eddie Murphy discusses racism and the lack of diversity in the film industry
- The actor, 59, said there is a lack of African-Americans; women and other minorities due to Hollywood being ‘run by white men’
- He said that his race did not stop him landing any film roles but gave him other issues to deal with in his daily life
Eddie Murphy discussed his experience with racism in Hollywood on Tuesday.
The actor, 59, attributed the lack of diversity in the film industry to the fact that ‘white men run this business’ as he discussed the highly-anticipated sequel to his film, Coming To America.
He suggested comedy hasn’t changed since the film’s initial release in 1988, but admitted that people are ‘more uptight’ due to a shift in political correctness.
Candid: Eddie Murphy discussed his experience with racism in Hollywood on Tuesday as he attributed the lack of diversity in the industry to the fact that ‘white men run this business’
‘It’s been this way for years and years, but it’s not just African-Americans; it’s also about women and other minorities, too,’ he said to Radio Times regarding the lack of diversity in Hollywood.
‘White men run this business. It’s always been this way.’
When asked if he has ever experienced racism in the industry, Eddie responded: ‘In terms of my work and my career, race has never been an issue.
‘I’ve been making movies for 40 years and never once could I not get a movie made because I was black. I transcended that stuff.
Change: The actor, 59, discussed the sequel to his film Coming To America as he admitted people are ‘more uptight’ when it comes to comedy since the film’s initial release in 1988
‘But that’s not to say I walked out of heaven and into Hollywood. I’m a black man who was born in America; I’m African-American.
‘Growing up in this country, there’s no way you’re not going to have to face some s**t.’
While reflecting on a shift in contemporary attitudes, he said comedy hasn’t changed, but admitted that right now ‘we’re going through a period of political correctness’ which is impacting the medium.
He added: ‘Times change and tastes change, but funny is still funny.
‘Right now, we’re going through a period of political correctness and people are a little more uptight about comedy – but there’s no expiration date on funny.’
Despite tallying a long list of blockbuster movies and golden moments in comedy, Eddie said his proudest achievement has nothing to do with work.
Instead, the father-of-ten takes great pride in his children, as he told the publication they are all smart and loving individuals who he credits as his ‘legacy’.
As he turns 60 in April, Eddie reflected on his parenthood journey and confirmed it transformed him as a person and made him emotionally rounded.
The superstar shares five children with his ex-wife Nicole Mitchell Murphy, 53. The couple were married between 1993 and 2006.
Family man: Eddie said his proudest achievement has nothing to do with work, instead, the father-of-ten takes great pride in his children as he told the publication they are his ‘legacy’ (pictured in 2016)
He also has a daughter, Angel, 13, with Melanie ‘Mel B’ Brown of the Spice Girls,
The comedian has been engaged to Australian model Paige Butcher, 41, since 2012, and they have two children – daughter Izzy, four, and son Max, two.
According to the father-of-ten, he is a ‘hands-on’ dad, especially with his youngest son Max, but he skips on changing his diapers as he blamed it on the fact he ‘doesn’t do a good job’.
Eddie returns as Prince Akeem in Coming To America, with his 19-year-old daughter Bella making her acting debut as well.
Ex: The superstar shares five children with his ex-wife Nicole Mitchell Murphy, 53 and the couple were married between 1993 and 2006
The actor made it clear however, that she didn’t just get the role because of her father’s stature, she had to audition.
The iconic comedian and his daughter opened up about the sequel in a new interview with Good Morning America in February, about Bella getting the role of Akeem’s daughter, Omma.
‘She had to audition for Craig Brewer, who directed the movie. I wasn’t musclin’ my kid into the movie,’ Eddie said.
‘She had to really be able to — you know, to deliver. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have gotten the role.’
Bella added: ‘I just wanted to be good. I didn’t want people to watch it and be like, “Oh, that must be his daughter ‘cause she can’t keep up with everyone else.” You know what I mean?
Partner: The comedian has been engaged to Australian model Paige Butcher, 41, (pictured in 2019) since 2012, and they have two children – daughter Izzy, four, and son Max, two
‘I just really wanted to do the best that I could. And I’m really proud with how it turned out.’
The original Coming to America debuted over 30 years ago, and followed Eddie’s Prince Akeem from the fictional country of Zumunda, as he travels to America to find his bride.
The original comedy, which also starred Arsenio Hall, Shari Headley and James Earl Jones, was a hit at the box office, the second-highest grossing movie of the year behind Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, though Murphy didn’t realize how much it resonated with audiences until 25 years later.
Read Eddie’s full interview in this week’s Radio Times
Team effort: Eddie returns as Prince Akeem in Coming To America, with his 19-year-old daughter Bella making her acting debut as well (pictured)
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