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Edward Regan Murphy (born April 3, 1961) is an American comedian, actor, and singer. He shot to fame on the sketch comedy show Saturday Night Live, for which he was a regular cast member from 1980 to 1984.

He is widely recognized as one of the greatest comedians of all time. Murphy has received accolades such as the Golden Globe Award, a Grammy Award, and an Emmy Award as well as nominations for an Academy Award and a BAFTA Award.

He was honored with the Mark Twain Prize for American Humor in 2015 and the Cecil B. DeMille Award in 2023.

Birth name: Edward Regan Murphy

Born April 3, 1961 (age 63)
New York City, U.S.

Medium

• Stand-up
• film
• television
• music

Years active 1976–present

Genres

• Observational comedy
• musical comedy
• blue comedy
• black comedy
• insult comedy
• sketch comedy
• racial humor
• satire

Subject(s)

• African-American culture
• race relations
• racism
• marriage
• sex
• everyday life
• pop culture

Spouse
Nicole Mitchell
(married 1993; divorced 2006)​

Partner(s)

• Melanie Brown (2006)
• Tracey Edmonds (2008)
• Paige Butcher (2012–present)

Children 10
Relative(s)
Charlie Murphy (brother)

Musical careerGenres

• R&B
• funk
• synth-pop
• comedy

InstrumentsVocalsLabels

• Sony BMG
• CBS
• Columbia
• Motown