Eddie Murphy may be in his mid-60s, but he remains booked and busy. His latest project, The Pickup, now streaming on Prime Video, brings Murphy together with comedic heavyweights Pete Davidson and Keke Palmer in a modern-day action caper. Of course, the Black icon has been a fixture in entertainment since the early 1980s, when he skyrocketed to fame on Saturday Night Live and followed that with box office dominance in hits like Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America and The Nutty Professor.

Longtime fans know his career hasn’t been limited to just acting – the multi-talent is also a writer, producer, singer and stand-up legend whose impact on pop culture is impossible to overstate. While his comedic timing and unforgettable characters have made him a household name, Murphy’s long-running success has also translated into an enviable fortune. From his Shrek voice work to recent streaming deals, Eddie Murphy’s net worth has climbed steadily over the years, without any signs of slowing down. 

‘Beverly Hills Cop’ star grew up in Brooklyn, New York

Eddie Murphy was born on April 3, 1961 in Brooklyn, New York and was raised in the Bushwick neighborhood. While it isn’t widely known, his upbringing was marked by hardship. At just eight years old he lost his father, Charles Edward Murphy, who was a policeman with a passion for comedy. As Atlanta Black Star reports, he was murdered in 1969 by a woman in a crime of passion.

While this tragedy impacted the family drastically, it was the grave illness of his mother shortly after that which changed his life entirely. After that, Eddie and his older brother Charlie spent about a year in foster care. But these challenging circumstances only motivated Eddie more. He went on to pursue his creative ambitions, namely comedy and by high school he was performing in talent shows and local clubs. 

Murphy got his start on ‘SNL’ at just 19 years old

By age 19, Murphy landed a breakout role on Saturday Night Live. With his unique charm in his arsenal, he quickly became the show’s standout performer in the early 1980s. His mix of bold humor, outrageous impressions and unshakeable confidence brought new life to the stage. This success launched his career into the stratosphere, but it also benefited his wallet.

As Celebrity Net Worth reports, Eddie Murphy’s ascent in the entertainment industry came with rapidly increasing paychecks. In the case of SNL, which he joined in 1980, he was making around $4,500 per episode. And while this may seem modest by today’s standards, at the time, this was a good chunk of change, especially for a young comedian. By his second year on the show, he was making $30,000 per episode due to his vital role in drawing in younger crowds and boosting ratings. 

How many children does Eddie Murphy have?

Eddie Murphy is a proud father of ten children (six daughters and four sons), with five different women over the years. While he’s known for his legendary career in comedy and film, Murphy has often said that fatherhood is the most important part of his life. He keeps much of his family life private, but he’s occasionally shared glimpses into his role as a dad. In an interview with People, the New York native told reporters, “My career, or what I am as an artist, that’s not at the center of my life. At the center of my life is my family and my kids. That’s the principal relationship, and everything comes after that.”

His oldest child is Eric Murphy, born in 1989 to then-girlfriend Paulette McNeely, followed by Christian Murphy in 1990 with Tamara Hood. The entertainer also has five children with his ex-wife Nicole Mitchell: Bria, Miles, Shayne, Zola and Bella, born between 1989 and 2002. Bria, in particular, has followed in her father’s footsteps with a career in the entertainment industry as an actress and visual artist.

In 2007, Murphy welcomed Angel Iris Murphy Brown with Spice Girl Melanie “Mel B” Brown, and later had two more children, Izzy Oona (born in 2016) and Max Charles (born in 2018), with his current wife, Paige Butcher. Despite the variety in their upbringings, Murphy maintains strong ties with all ten of his children and frequently brings them together for family gatherings and red-carpet moments.

Did the actor make a movie with his daughter?

On the topic of family, Eddie Murphy has acted alongside his daughters in multiple films, most notably with Bella Murphy and Bria Murphy. In 2021’s Coming 2 America, Bella played Princess Omma, one of Murphy’s on-screen daughters. While it was her first major film role, Bella earned the part through a formal audition process, with Eddie insisting she be treated like any other actor.

More recently, his eldest daughter, Bria Murphy, made a cameo in Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F. She played a police officer in a brief but memorable scene that was largely improvised. Bria’s husband, actor Michael Xavier, also appeared in the film; his character even tased Axel Foley (Murphy) as part of the scene.

Was Murphy ever a billionaire?

Over his decades-long career, the actor has earned over $420 million through movie salaries, backend points, stand-up specials and streaming deals. However, Murphy has never crossed the billionaire marker. That said, with continued income from projects like The Pickup on Prime Video, Beverly Hills Cop: Axel F and future stand-up work, his wealth remains substantial and is still growing.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, the films he’s starred in have collectively raked in nearly $7 billion worldwide, making him the sixth-highest-grossing American actor at the global box office. Eddie Murphy’s biggest confirmed paycheck is widely reported to be the $70 million deal with Netflix for a return to stand-up comedy. While the full slate of specials has yet to materialize, the lump sum for that exclusive deal remains one of the largest-ever payouts for a stand-up comedian, putting him alongside Dave Chappelle and Chris Rock in terms of streaming-era earnings.

Icon’s real estate portfolio is a testament to his success

Eddie Murphy owns an impressive real estate portfolio, highlighted by several multimillion-dollar properties both in the U.S. and internationally. His crown jewel is a custom-built 18,600-square-foot Beverly Hills mansion located in the exclusive North Beverly Park gated community. The compound includes 10 bedrooms, 17 bathrooms, a massive pool, tennis court and luxurious amenities. It’s estimated to be worth $30–$40 million today.

Murphy also owns Rooster Cay, a 15-acre private island in the Bahamas, which he bought for $15 million in 2007. Prior to that, he owned another Bahamian property called Pearl Island, which he sold.

What is Eddie Murphy’s net worth?

As of 2025, Eddie Murphy’s net worth is approximately $200 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Murphy has earned revenues from blockbuster films, being one of the highest-grossing actors in Hollywood and consistently commanded premium paydays (often upwards of $20 million per film in the ’80s, ’90s, and 2000s).

Recently, in 2019, Netflix paid him an estimated $70 million for stand-up specials, and he secured a first-look production deal with Amazon in 2021, adding significant ongoing revenue streams.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much did Eddie Murphy make for Shrek 2?

He earned an upfront $10 million for voicing Donkey in Shrek 2, a significant increase from the $350,000 he received for the original Shrek.

Do all of Eddie Murphy’s kids have the same mother?

No. His children were born to multiple partners – including ex-girlfriends Paulette McNeely and Tamara Hood, ex-wife Nicole Mitchell, model Melanie Brown (Mel B) and his current wife, Paige Butcher.

Did Eddie Murphy’s daughter marry Martin Lawrence’s son?

No, but his son, Eric Murphy, married Martin Lawrence’s daughter, Jasmin Lawrence, in May 2025. This union makes Martin Lawrence and Eddie Murphy in-laws