Eddie Murphy is one of the most famous and successful comedians in the world. He has achieved incredible success in films, television shows, music, and more throughout his illustrious career. But just how much money does he make? In this article, we’ll take a look at Eddie Murphy’s net worth and explore the sources of his wealth.
Introduction
Eddie Murphy is an American actor, comedian, singer-songwriter, film producer, writer, and director. He rose to fame as a stand-up comic during the early 1980s, becoming one of the most popular figures on the then-burgeoning comedy circuit. After years of performing in various clubs around Los Angeles, Murphy went on to become a major movie star with some of the highest grossing films of all time under his belt. His box office records have earned him critical acclaim, commercial success, and hundreds of millions of dollars in revenue. So just how much is Eddie Murphy really worth?
Early Career Highlights
Eddie Murphy began performing stand-up comedy in 1979 and quickly became one of the top acts on the scene. He was noticed by talent scouts from Saturday Night Live (SNL) and was subsequently hired for their show in 1981. During his four-year tenure on SNL, Murphy created many memorable characters such as Gumby and Mr. Robinson’s Neighborhood. Following his stint on SNL, Murphy’s film career began with 48 Hrs., Trading Places, Beverly Hills Cop and Coming to America; all four of which were box office successes and firmly established Murphy as a bonafide movie star.
Box Office Records & Paychecks
Eddie Murphy is one of the highest paid actors in Hollywood, raking in millions for each role he takes on. His breakout role in 1984’s Beverly Hills Cop earned him $500,000 plus 25% of its gross profits, making him one of the highest paid stars at that time. As his star power increased over the years, so did his paydays. By the late 1990s, Murphy was commanding up to $20 million per picture. Some of his biggest hits include The Nutty Professor ($25 million salary), Doctor Dolittle ($20 million) and Shrek ($10 million).
Producer, Writer & Director Credits
In addition to acting roles, Eddie Murphy has also served as a writer, producer and director on several projects. These credits include Boomerang (1992), Vampire in Brooklyn (1995), The PJs (1999) and Norbit (2007). Murphy’s productions have earned him additional millions of dollars in revenue and helped increase his overall net worth.
Real Estate Holdings
Aside from his entertainment earnings, Eddie Murphy owns several homes across California including a mansion in Beverly Hills which cost him $15 million back in 2007. He also owns property in Long Island, New York and another estate near Mulholland Drive worth approximately $12 million.
Sponsorships & Endorsements
Over the course of his career, Eddie Murphy has been involved in several endorsements deals. Most notably he was signed to promote PepsiCo Inc.’s soft drink brand “Mountain Dew” and Panasonic electronics. While it is unknown exactly how much these deals netted him, they undoubtedly contributed significantly to increasing his fortune.
TV Roles
Eddie Murphy has had many recurring roles on hit television series throughout his career. From 2002 to 2006 he played Julius Rock on UPN’s Everybody Hates Chris and later starred in CBS’s short lived sitcom The Incredible Mrs. Crane. In 2019, he reprised his iconic character Axel Foley from the Beverly Hills Cop franchise in a 10-episode revival series called BH90210. All three shows provided generous payouts that greatly added to his bottom line.
Investments & Other Assets
Like any smart businessman would do, Eddie Murphy has diversified his investments and income streams. According to reports, he currently holds stakes in multiple companies as well as financial assets like stocks and bonds. He also invests heavily into real estate and owns several rental properties scattered across the US which generate a substantial amount of passive income for him each year.
Recent Projects
Since 2017, Eddie Murphy has returned to stand-up comedy after more than 30 years away from the stage. His two hour Netflix special titled Dolemite Is My Name premiered to rave reviews while his latest project Coming 2 America recently made waves with its March 2021 debut on Amazon Prime Video. Both releases will no doubt add considerably to his already impressive wealth.
Conclusion
At the end of 2020, Forbes estimated Eddie Murphy’s net worth at an impressive $200 million. With his endless list of accolades combined with continued opportunities in both movies and television series, there’s no doubt that number will only continue to rise in the coming years.