Eddie Murphy Net Worth (Money & Salary)

Eddie Murphy’s net worth and salary: What is it?

With a net worth of $200 million, Eddie Murphy stands tall as an American actor, comedian, producer, and director. His movies have grossed nearly $7 billion worldwide, making him the sixth highest-grossing American actor. Murphy was among the highest-paid actors, earning $20 million per movie in the late 80s, 90s, and 2000s. His career earnings exceed $300 million in salaries and backend royalties. In 2019, Netflix paid him $70 million for comedy specials.

Being obsessed with comedy since his teenage years, Murphy’s career skyrocketed when he joined SNL in 1980. Recognized for iconic characters like Buckwheat and Mister Robinson, he played a pivotal role in the show’s revival.

Appearing in 65 episodes of SNL from 1980 to 1984, Murphy’s sketches addressed race issues boldly. He showcased his talent in films like 48 Hours, and the Beverly Hills Cop, Coming to America, Harlem Nights, and Another 48 Hrs.

Eddie Murphy’s Early Life

Born on April 3, 1961, in Brooklyn, NY, Eddie Murphy faced hardships early in life. Exposure to Richard Pryor’s comedy and Bill Cosby’s influence fueled his passion for comedy. Joining Saturday Night Live in 1980 propelled his career, saving the struggling show and becoming its star.

Transitioning to films with 48 Hrs in 1982, Murphy’s subsequent hits included Trading Places, Beverly Hills Cop, and more. His roles in Mulan, Shrek, Dreamgirls, and Nutty Professor revived his box-office appeal.

Notable achievements include an Academy Award nomination and a Golden Globe win for Dreamgirls. Eddie is credited as a producer and director for films like Vampire in Brooklyn, Life, and Harlem Nights. His return to the Beverly Hills Cop series with Beverly Hills Cop 4 was announced in 2017. In 2021, he starred in Coming 2 America, a sequel to the classic.

Eddie Murphy’s Personal Life

In 1993, Murphy married Nicole Mitchell, with whom he shares a past marked by divorce and a $15 million settlement. Relationships with Mel B, Tracey Edmonds, and Paige Butcher followed, with his current engagement to Butcher since 2018. Eddie is a father of ten children.

Murphy actively supports various causes.Throughout his career, Eddie has supported numerous organizations and charities, including the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Martin Luther King Jr. Center, and a $100,000 donation to the Screen Actors’ Guild strike relief fund.

Notable Eddie Murphy Salary Highlights

Back in 1981, Murphy was earning just $4,500 per episode on Saturday Night Live. By 1982, his paycheck had climbed to $30,000 per episode. In the same year, he received $450,000 for his role in ’48 Hours.’ His earnings skyrocketed in 1990 when he was paid $7 million for ‘Another 48 Hours.’ The big breakthrough came in 1984 when he bagged $1 million for ‘Best Defense.’ Throughout the 1980s, 90s, and early 2000s, Eddie amassed at least $250 million from film salaries and backend points, with his total career film earnings likely surpassing $300 million.

Here are some notable highlights of Eddie Murphy’s earnings from his career:

• 1987 – $8 million for ‘Beverly Hills Cop II’ (equivalent to around $18 million today after adjusting for inflation)
• 1988 – Another $8 million for ‘Coming to America’
• 1994 – $15 million for ‘Beverly Hills Cop III’ (about $25 million in today’s dollars)
• 1996 – $16 million for ‘The Nutty Professor’
• 1998 – $17.5 million for ‘Doctor Dolittle’
• 2000 – $20 million for ‘Nutty Professor II’
• Interestingly, for ‘Nutty Professor II,’ he also received 20% of the gross receipts, boosting his total earnings from the film to over $60 million.
• 2001 – $3 million for ‘Shrek’
• 2001 – $20 million for ‘Doctor Dolittle 2’
• 2002 – $20 million for ‘The Adventures of Pluto Nash’
• 2004 – $10 million for ‘Shrek 2’
• He earned $4 million for ‘Shrek Forever,’ potentially even more with backend points
• 2011 – $7.5 million from ‘Tower Heist’

Eddie Murphy’s Netflix Deal

In July 2019, reports surfaced about Eddie negotiating a $70 million agreement with Netflix to produce a series of comedy specials. This sum exceeded Dave Chappelle’s $60 million deal for three specials and Chris Rock’s $40 million for two specials.

Eddie Murphy’s Perspective on Money

Reflecting on his decisions, Eddie once said, “Every bad decision I’ve made has been based on money. I grew up in the projects, and you don’t turn down money there. You take it because you never know when it’s all going to end. I made Beverly Hills Cop III because they offered me $15 million. That $15 million was worth having Roger Ebert’s thumb up my ass.“

Eddie Murphy’s Real Estate Holdings

Over the years, Eddie has possessed a range of remarkable properties. In the 1990s, he resided in a lavish custom-built mansion in Granite Bay, California, before securing a 3.7-acre lot in Beverly Hills’ prestigious Beverly Park neighborhood for $10 million. Following this purchase, Eddie invested a significant sum in constructing a massive 40,000 square-foot mansion with 32 rooms, including 9 bedrooms and 9 bathrooms, along with amenities like a pool, tennis court, library, and bowling alley. If it were to hit the market, this residence could easily fetch over $30-40 million. Additionally, Eddie once owned a Beverly Hills home that was listed for $85 million in 2016.

In 2007, Eddie made a $15 million acquisition of Rooster Cay, a private island spanning 15 acres in the Bahamas. Prior to this, he also owned another private island called Pearl Island.

Finally, in 2012, Eddie sold his New Jersey property for $12 million after initially listing it for $30 million seven years earlier.