Eddie Murphy is looking back on one of his boldest Oscar moments, the night he openly called out the Academy for overlooking black performers.
While speaking with Entertainment Weekly to promote his upcoming Netflix documentary Being Eddie, Murphy revisited the 1988 ceremony where he presented best picture to Bernardo Bertolucci’s The Last Emperor.
Before introducing the nominees, he used his time at the mic to criticize the Academy’s lack of recognition for black actors.
Murphy remembered standing backstage with Robin Williams as he prepared to make the statement. He told Williams what he planned to say, and Williams questioned the point of it.
Murphy explained that he wasn’t just trying to stir controversy, he wanted to be funny while still saying something meaningful.
Onstage, Murphy recounted how his manager encouraged him to present at the Oscars.
He joked that he initially refused, telling the live audience, “I’m not going because they haven’t recognized Black people in motion pictures.”
He continued, “And I’ll probably never win an Oscar for saying this, but hey, what the hey, I gotta say it.”
At the time, only three Black actors had ever won an Oscar, Hattie McDaniel, Sidney Poitier and Louis Gossett Jr. Murphy noted the long gap between wins, remarking that “about every 20 years we get one,” before closing his speech by emphasizing that black performers deserved to be recognized as equals.
He said, “I just feel that we have to be recognized as a people. I just want you to know I’m gonna give this award, but Black people will not ride the caboose of society, and we will not bring up the rear anymore.”
Murphy told EW that he didn’t think much about how his words might be received. He was focused on being funny and relevant in the moment, and thought the comments would dominate headlines the next day.
To his surprise, the reaction was minimal.
Just two years later, Denzel Washington joined the small group of Black actors to win an Oscar with his supporting win for Glory.
Despite a long and acclaimed career, Murphy still hasn’t won an Academy Award.
He came close in 2007 with Dreamgirls, after taking home Golden Globe and SAG Awards, but the Oscar went to Alan Arkin for Little Miss Sunshine.
Some later speculated that the release of Murphy’s poorly reviewed comedy Norbit, which arrived shortly after his nomination, may have affected voters.
Murphy remains unfazed. He has repeatedly defended the film, saying earlier this year, “I love Norbit.” He joked about the Razzies that followed, adding, “I was like, ‘Come on now, shit ain’t that bad.’”
Murphy’s documentary Being Eddie arrives on Netflix on Nov. 12, offering more insight into the comedian’s career and the moments that shaped him.
