He lived in a foster home and won the Mark Twain Prize: 5 little-known facts about Eddie Murphy

Eddie Murphy, a legendary figure in the entertainment industry, captivates audiences with his humor, versatility, and unique talent. Born in Brooklyn, New York, in 1961, Murphy went from a young stand-up comedian to a well-known actor and producer, which is a testament to his resilience and dedication to his craft. SSPDaily told you 5 facts about the actor's life that you might not know yet.

Difficult childhood

Murphy's early life was marked by trials. He faced the trauma of his parents' divorce when he was only three years old and the murder of his father at the age of eight. These difficulties led Eddie to live in foster care with his brother for a short period of time. This greatly influenced the formation of his comedic vision, becoming a source for his future work.

A family man with many roles

Outside of his brilliant career, Murphy's personal life was also eventful. His romantic relationships led to the birth of ten children. Two sons, Eric and Christian, came from his relationships with Paulette McNeely and Tamara Hood. His marriage to Nicole Mitchell produced five children. Despite the fact that the marriage ended in divorce, Murphy's personal life continued with Melanie Brown, resulting in the birth of another child. Later, Australian model Paige Butcher became the mother of two more offspring.

Scandals

In 1997, Murphy found himself in a controversial situation when he was stopped by the police over an incident with a transgender prostitute. Although he was not charged, the incident attracted media attention. Murphy's publicist defended him, saying that he had simply offered to give the person in question a ride.

The prestigious Mark Twain Award

One of the highlights of Murphy's career was in 2015 when he was honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor. This honorary award recognizes those who have had a significant impact on American society, much like the famous 19th century writer and essayist Mark Twain. In his speech, Murphy expressed his deep gratitude and humility for receiving such a prestigious award.

Overcoming fears for the sake of his craft

Interestingly, despite his fearless performances on screen, the star has a fear of live animals. This became a challenge while filming Dr. Dolittle, where he had to interact with numerous predators. To cope with this fear, post-production techniques were used to add animals to scenes, demonstrating Murphy's commitment to bring his best perfomance despite his personal fears.