Comedian Charlie Murphy, Known For 'Chappelle's Show' Skits, Has Died At Age 57
April 12, 2017, 1:42 p.m.
The comedian, the brother of Eddie Murphy, died of leukemia.
Charlie Murphy with his brother Eddie at Spike TV's 'Eddie Murphy: One Night Only' in 2012
Charlie Murphy, the brother of Eddie Murphy and a successful stand-up comedian and actor who came to fame via his Hollywood stories on Chappelle's Show, died Wednesday morning at a NYC hospital. He was 57.
According to TMZ, he had been undergoing chemotherapy to treat leukemia.
Murphy, a Brooklyn native, appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows throughout his career, including Harlem Nights, Mo Better Blues, Are We There Yet?, Black Jesus and The Boondocks. He also co-wrote two of his brother's movies, Norbit and Vampire In Brooklyn.
We just lost one of the funniest most real brothers of all time . Charlie Murphy RIP. pic.twitter.com/AAwItp5AJC
— Chris Rock (@chrisrock) April 12, 2017
Charlie Murphy was a great man. God bless, we already miss you.
— Lil Chano From 79th (@chancetherapper) April 12, 2017
Murphy was most famous for being a writer and actor on Comedy Central's Chappelle's Show, with two of his Charlie Murphy's True Hollywood Stories sketches becoming huge hits. In one, he recounted a run-in with Prince in the '80s that ended with Prince and his band beating Murphy and his crew in a game of basketball (and then Prince served them pancakes). Prince later confirmed the story, saying, "the whupping is true." You can watch it below.
In another skit, Murphy recounted his tumultuous relationship with Rick James in the '80s, which spawned its own catchphrases and brought James a new level of attention. You can see that sketch, plus James' recollections of the period, below.
