Eddie Murphy Was Crushed By A Rumor About Dave | Letterman

Eddie talks about his music career, why he never came on Dave's show before, "Beverly Hills Cop and more. (Air date: 12/17/84)
#EddieMurphy #Letterman #SNL
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Welcome to the Letterman KZbin Channel, home to all your favorite clips from Late Night and Late Show - as well as conversations with the writers, producers and performers who helped make it all happen. These highlights have been artisanly-produced, carefully-curated, and chosen completely at random by an old computer that used to pick numbers for the New York Lotto back in the 90’s.

[@smiletrainofficial]

Beverly Hills Cop is still one of the greatest movies ever made.

[@SalernoOfficial]

💯

[@cristianalexanda4102]

Greatest franchise movies ever

[@serious-cyrusnoelan8127]

I’m so sorry.

[@bobbycone2]

This is the best interview of Eddie ever! The way he seemed like a totally natural guy just talking with someone. He didn't seem like a super famous person. Absolutely loved it!

[@mattchristensen3519]

I think it’s because, although he was great at the time, he wasn’t the legend he went on to be. Therefore the host wasn’t telling him how great he is and has been for years

[@stacyyoust]

Cute pants too lol

[@aaroniic]

There are a bunch like this. Watch all of his Arsenio Hall interviews as well as his 1987 Interview with Oprah and most recently his interview with Drew Barrymore

[@orangewarm1]

He is a natural person. I'm more impressed with Dave's natural style here.

[@95Ldunc]

@@stacyyoust That was the style back then. Leather everything. Leather ties, Leather pants, etc.

[@apathtrampledbydeer8446]

Two legends together. I like how laid back and down to earth they are.

[@yournamehere6002]

Well put!

[@hughmoore3251]

"Sometimes it's 'ok", and... Last Saturday was...' ok'... " Love the grounded honesty there.

[@romulus_]

I appreciate his honesty and self-awareness.

[@toucansam3]

It's more astounding considering his age here. He has unusually high emotional intelligence.

[@patton303]

Eddie had more leather pants than a KISS convention.

[@rhuttrho88]

Bwahahaha!

[@Bluecloudprod]

"They had a check like I'd never seen before...and my morals and principles went right out the window." - Eddie Murphy, Legend

[@apsvend]

8:55 🤣🤣🤣🙈😅😅

[@alaska-bornfloridaman4068]

Keeping things real and being naturally funny. My favorite comedian .He's unique.

[@craigrussell3062]

"I don't think I'd do another movie just for money anymore. Well, unless it's like a tremendous amount..." Eddie Murphy, 1984

[@NathanCline12-21]

Disney money

[@-Ricky_Spanish-]

Little did he know...

[@parkerparkerparker8]

Meet Dave, Norbit, A Thousand Words, Imagine That, Pluto Nash, Haunted Mansion...

[@AUTOPSY666]

1st movie waz $300k, 2nd was $500k and he supposedly got $1M for Best Defense.

[@bufordhighwater9872]

You know, I was thinking the same thing when I first heard him say that, but looking back at his filmography, I think Eddie has, for the most part, done projects in which he was artistically or personally invested.

[@Longshot_NYC]

I was at SNL in the audience when they introduced Eddie Murphy for the first time as a new cast member this was before the live show during the warm-up no one knew who he was but he got lots of applause even though no one knew he was gonna be a superstar.

[@mikewhite4560]

What do you mean the audience didn't know Eddie was going to be a SUPERSTAR?

[@gregbaker9857]

@@mikewhite4560 How could they, it was literally his introduction to the world, by way of an intimate captive audience. Even if the consensus is positive at this stage, the disparity between being a popular cast member able to make a living doing comedy, and becoming an international movie star and a top 5 stand-up comic AKA "Superstar", is light-years apart!

[@shadowman1403]

Wow! All I can say! 👍

[@robertcheiffetz3886]

@@gregbaker9857 Really nice well put reply to a ridiculous question. More people could be this polite and patient on youtube (that includes me) I applaud you.

[@unappreciatedtreehouse821]

sar·casm /ˈsärˌkazəm/ noun the use of irony to mock or convey contempt.

[@tye958]

Eddie Murphy is multi talented... He can in fact sing 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 not enough credit for it 💁🏽... Still Killin It 2023!!!!

[@alexmapp5444]

I love the audience cheering for Eddie at the beginning of the video. You can tell that he was well on his way to superstardom.

[@alexmapp5444]

Also, I love Eddie’s hilarious performance as Donkey in the Shrek movies!

[@seanpages__]

Lol he was already a star.

[@alexmapp5444]

@@seanpages__ But not yet a superstar.

[@gregbaker9857]

@@alexmapp5444 Post 48rs, definitely a "SUPERSTA!"

[@MrOctober44]

He's already done Beverly Hills Cop at this point. He was a superstar at this point.

[@ytzpilot]

Eddie was so down to earth back then

[@FrancoisDressler]

Still is.

[@JBOsurf]

Eddie - "I just dress normally..." Also Eddie - wearing a yellow women's sweater, black leather pants, white boots and a $100,000 gold and diamond studded watch...

[@A_A_J.]

Well, this was a tv appearance… he wasn’t going to the movies. But I get your point :)

[@MarcelLWalker]

Also, this was the '80s, and Murphy was in hs 20s. Yeah, this was normal!

[@aja1108]

Right

[@blest5132]

😂

[@davidclark8543]

Eddie killed it & his last joke took it straight to the top "Actually this is about right!" Lol

[@jesteronetime]

I was hope he would grab the blimp and say how excited he was..

[@assmane999]

He’s so self-aware and perceptive. And, so humble and realistic. Great interview!

[@dbc1dc]

Eddie is one of those rare stars that you don't care if they did a crappy movie. Just a likeable person that it doesn't matter.

[@calisongbird]

@carl smith and you have…?

[@gregbaker9857]

Ya.......Not so much! A bomb is a bomb, nothing worse entertainment wise, than being jacked to see a can't miss movie, and it misses more than a dude with Parkinson's misses while urinating!

[@Rascarrr]

You dont care if he does a crappy movie. 20+ years of crappy movies movies, though? That kinda is a problem.

[@peterdarker1]

@@calisongbird He might be the director of Best Defense

[@criosny]

"I can do anything!" in Donkey's voice lol! Love Eddie, man.

[@chemicalbrother7613]

Eddie is so humble, and Letterman's respect for that clearly shows.

[@MA-nh2on]

I remember this interview, I saw it when it ran originally. (I was in college and we never missed an episode of Dave.). I remember we were all stunned at how humble Eddie Murphy was, even at this high point in his career.

[@thomasnelson5758]

I love Eddie so much, dude was just so effortlessly cool

[@toucansam3]

Stallone's version of Beverly Hills Cop became Cobra.

[@bgheadjack]

"This is the hippest show on televsion." -- Eddie Murphy Damn straight.

[@davewebbtheauthor]

This was back when I enjoyed Eddie's interviews equally as much as his performances. The guy is just plain funny.

[@jeffdawson2786]

Eddie has more talent than should be allotted to any human being. One of the great entertainers of all time.

[@drifter503]

I’ve been loving these old interviews. Thanks for posting

[@GeoFishing]

I love the genuine comedy and honesty. He’s a true gem 💎

[@pvanb]

"Actually this is about right..." 🤣

[@atexinc.5472]

I couldn’t imagine anyone else playing his roles. That’s funny. Eddie is awesome

[@marialumley576]

I love Eddie, he’s my favorite comedian of all times.❤❤❤

[@mikesgroi21]

“If I had on a glitter glove and glitter suit I couldn’t go to the movies.” 🤣🤣

[@AWolfMan75]

I like how Eddie kind of put Dave on the spot: "Do you like me?" 😉 Yeah, great early interview for both of them. No over-hype, arrogance, or b.s.

[@sugarfalls1]

"Do you like me?" Omg, the candor and hilariousness of that is so good! Eddie Murphy is truly a one of a kind! Great to look back at this stuff after so long!

[@alecaquino4306]

Eddie is very self aware here! I'm genuinely impressed and very happy to see this side of him!

[@shannonpincombe8485]

Loved Dave's show and Eddie is a legend.

[@BlanketMan]

I was fifteen when Eddie joined SNL and he immediately became THE GUY among me and my friends. We'd reenact his skits, recite his lines every chance we got... I was like the perfect age to get swept away by his unique talent... and he was only a few years older than me! One of a kind... I wish he'd return to stand-up, do a brief national tour. Just to give us all a chance to show how beloved he is.

[@last808]

You are absolutely correct 110%. 👊

[@martinleon3145]

Eddie and letterman and Eddie and Seinfeld are the best combinations

[@Longshot_NYC]

"Party all the time" haha

[@D1ngusKhan]

"I don't think I'd do another movie just for money anymore." - Eddie "Pluto Nash" Murphy, 1984

[@MightMouse2174]

Meet Dave much worse

[@Arroway2357]

I just realized that how I speak to kids was influenced by him. I speak to them as I'd generally speak to an adult. I also clearly remember being a child and appreciating when adults spoke respectfully to me and valued my voice.

[@kisham-c1121]

I feel like Eddie Murphy is an uncle or brother! He is so awesome. (Also, I keep hearing Donkey from shrek everytime he talks lol)

[@jk3521]

Love his laugh !

[@elaw2414]

Man that crowd was pumped up! Love these older shows.

[@lazertagg8021]

This is a great great new channel. It’s been a great week catching up on all these great clips and interviews. It helps fill the void created by Norm’s passing,.

[@pika23]

This was a 'great' comment

[@AlmostReady504]

right on. love Dave miss Norm terribly

[@murderc27]

Normie Normie Normie...

[@jameswalker5223]

Letterman (Norm too) was and is a national treasure..I miss the shit outta him..

[@jamesbost4798]

😥

[@cynthiatravers8757]

This is weird to watch. Dave is actually the nervous one, if you watch the first couple of minutes real closely; almost as if he's not sure quite what Murphy might be capable of, what he might say. Eddie was very down to earth in this piece, and Dave eventually got there.

[@HuntmanC68]

Good observation

[@rhuttrho88]

Yepp! Eddie calmed him down. He was down to earth. 👌🏿

[@notetoself5474]

Exactly... I caught that too,.

[@butternutcrunch]

Maybe it's because Dave figured that Eddie had heard what he thought of him and wondered just how this was gonna go down. After Eddie broke the ice on that topic Dave relaxed a bit but he never truly told Eddie that he liked him. Eddie bravely asked the question looking for reassurance and all he got back was an unapologetic, it's kind of you're fault too for not coming on sooner response. A guy like Letterman doesn't usually have to make people earn his respect because of his status. Eddie wasn't having it until he knew where he stood.

[@gunsmokeandghouls]

He isn't nervous at all.

[@jt.8144]

Best time to grow up as a kid. The 80's. Thank you for this!!

[@plev10]

Eddie such a solid dude.

[@matthewtardiff198]

Eddie knocked it out of the park on his most recent SNL hosting gig!

[@demonicsweaters]

Eddie has always been a mellow and relaxed person in interviews, he just has a cool vibe.

[@AirOctivParanormal]

Eddie is one of my fav celebs of all time. One of the few people that I hang on their every word.

[@johnmullens2857]

I don't care if he did Best Defence for the money. I just respect the fact he admitted to it, rather than pretend there were "artistic reasons". Just pure honesty about it actually made him even more likable!

[@bunnie12345]

I love Eddie And this why we stayed up. thank u for posting dave.

[@NelsonStJames]

It's really interesting how humble and relatable Eddie comes across in all the interviews he did during this period in his career. I don't think the last few generations understand just how huge Eddie Murphy was in the 80's. This was a time when Hollywood was still playing by Highlander rules when it came to black actors, and Eddie was the biggest there'd ever been up to that point. It's going to be interesting to see how Eddie interprets the Axel Foley character 40 years later now that they're doing a new Beverly Hills Cop film.

[@yellowleaf28]

He makes everything he does more delightful

[@vargas218]

@ 8:35 for those of you that were wondering Eddie Murphy made $1 million for “Best Defense” in 1984

[@peterdarker1]

That's worth close to 3 Mil in 2023 dollars. For essentially an extended cameo and a week's worth that's pretty damn good

[@Saxtafunkta-fecta]

Like how Dave casually described Eddie’s association with breaking the law like it was his other option

[@memikel1489]

I like how Eddie says right after..."that's what my mom said 😂 lol

[@Walter-Anderson]

Eddy is from Roosevelt Long Island. Crime *was* tye other option

[@mostawesomecomment6553]

​@@memikel1489 That's the thing. We're programmed in 2023 to think this is racist, but the way talk shows work is that the topics are pre decided. So, Dave was probably supposed to day something about Eddie's mom being happy he went into show business and what his alternitive have been, but he kinda blew the punchline where Eddie says "she thought I'd end up in prison" or something along those lines

[@xavierhonablue1358]

I worked in the IBM building down the street from that Hammacher Schlemmer store off 5th ave. Super cool stuff in there.

[@matthewprather7386]

That was a cool interview... Great vibe from both of them. You could tell Dave was really happy to have Eddie on the show.

[@blueenglishstaffybreeder6956]

Eddie Murphy could make anything look good including a canary yellow jumper lol

[@TheArmchairrocker]

I forgot that Rick James was involved with Eddie's album. It all makes sense now, with Charlie and all...that.

[@TheBatmanjb]

At least he didn't destroy himself with drugs or alcohol like a lot of the cast members on Saturday night live

[@peterdarker1]

That was never really his thing, though...even casually

[@chadwicks5681]

The drug free song he wrote and recorded with Rick James didn’t kill him nor the drug arrest with prostitutes! But he is the only one right?

[@shannonmoore1095]

No he preferred the ladies as his drug. 10 kids later... lol

[@chalkbunt81]

Right. He did it by giving trannies rides and being hyper-sensitive about a comment.

[@glenpenrose1834]

Gees, I bet your great at parties 🙄

[@nazur72]

I saw Eddie Murphy in 1989 I was in Hollywood walking down the street when I randomly happened upon the Lethal Weapon 2 premiere at Mann's Chinese Theater Eddie bumped into me before getting in his Limo. I don't think he was even in the movie but he was at the premiere.

[@dianewinters8628]

I love Eddie's laugh

[@willmac5642]

His interviews are always great.

[@MalcolmSmith-dj6ph]

Great video. Much love from Wheeling west Virginia.

[@slamponyp]

Two legends

[@just4therecord]

I love 48 Hours, Trading Places and Coming to America. Can’t remember Beverly Hills Cop much. I’m gonna watch them all again soon

[@zeropointnineninenine4951]

It'll either be really good, or really funny. As a comic, I cant lose. What a great mental on this young man. I hope he gets famous one day

[@peacetwofingers]

This was freaking awesome. Great post!

[@SoupA150]

It's all about the vibe.

[@ACEBeantown]

I just love Eddie Murphy. Thank you for making my youth entertaining my brother...

[@Texas240]

"I mean, I was like after Jimmy Walker on the list..." - Eddie on casting for "48 Hours"

[@technowey]

“You just can’t shake Mom.” LOL!

[@TheRealGrinch313]

Dave, my friend got us some pit passes for the grand prix in st pete a few years back. I saw you with the crew as we walked through the line pre-race. I saw 1 or 2 people taking photos with you, and would have loved that. But i didnt want to bother you, or embarrass my friend whos' father was a former pro wrestler. I did snap a quick photo of you though. I watched your show for 30 years, always wanted to go to a show - living, if you can call it that, in connecticut, and for some reason never made it happen. But i got to see Mr. David Letterman live afterall, and am greatful for that experience. May you & your family be blessed, and Happy Easter.

[@Shellinois]

One of the biggest stars of our generation. An overnight sensation. Much of his appeal was his down to earth nature and incredible diversity amongst character roles on SNL. We had never really seen a black man performing as a white man on TV before. Eddie Murphy was truly groundbreaking, and it’s crazy to think about how groundbreaking he was in terms of leading roles for black men that weren’t Cosby, Pryor, or even Poitier until the early 80s and Eddie Murphy broke through. And to think, he literally saved SNL during a time when the producer at the time didn’t necessarily believe in him from the outset, but she sure has taken credit for discovering him over the years. I think he’d have broken through in spite of Saturday Night Live, with his incredible talent, but maybe not as quickly.

[@Shellinois]

Yes. A strange question. Ask the rich young black kid what he is going to do with all of his new found wealth. They might not have realized how that question would sound all these years later, then again, nobody ever banked on KZbin either.

[@tchallaokonkwo1098]

performing as a white man?

[@RaysNewLife]

@@tchallaokonkwo1098 roles only for whitemen at the time

[@KOSMICKEN09]

It's the snl skit/film where he dresses up like a White Guy though he looked more like he was off white 😄

[@gregbaker9857]

@@Shellinois Wait....Wait what?....I lost my eyesight at age 6, in a game of lawn darts. Right eye in the very first game, left eye in 3rd game while waiting on the ambulance for right eye. So if I'm following you correctly here, you're telling me Eddie Murphy ....Is a black man?????

[@easye5653]

Wow, I was in Elementary school when this aired. Great interview!

[@haze1123]

Love Eddie and Dave. Awesome

[@lisaakinlabi]

LOL Love the toddler sweater Eddie is wearing, easier to change him with the buttons on the shoulders. LOL 🤣🤣

[@atheathorium]

You think those were practical buttons? This was 1984. Those buttons were DECORATIVE.

[@lisaakinlabi]

@@atheathorium UM I was making a joke. LOL

[@773SleepyHollow]

For some reason when Eddie first came out and nodded at the audience his superstardom back then hit me in the gut... I don't know if the kids can truly understand how big he was.

[@vika0194]

They can’t. They are busy looking at fake tiktok celebrities.

[@josesantana27]

Much respect to Mr Letterman. I know that he also was one of the few late night hosts to embrace hip hop culture. He had The Rocksteady breakdancing group live in the studio before breakdancing went mainstream. Cool interview.

[@gfox9295]

Letterman was just into ALL sorts of music, a great range of genres and styles. Being the musical act on his show was a pretty coveted gig thanks to how invested he was in getting quality bands and artists in there, looking back on when I most watched him (1990 to 2000, I'd say) I think I took it for granted back then but not anymore.

[@Kerry-uu6rk]

Brilliant love you Eddie and David

[@A.I-GAMING]

Eddie ended the interview with a great blimp joke.

[@letsdomake]

I haven't seen Letterman nervous before.

[@jrblanston]

What a great interview!

[@nufcedkidyup8627]

'Actually this about right!" Hilarious 😂

[@chrisburrelljr9270]

5:06 me and Dave stroking each other lol

[@Randomoccurences1]

The man is a legend and so humble.....all famous people should have that....

[@kingkawala767]

I love Eddie's reactions to the dumb questions

[@jackhayes8710]

Make more movies. Your awesome.

[@daveidmarx8296]

14:23 Dave being Dave... 🤣🤣🤣

[@SINNER5150]

Well,he wasn't lying! He can do anything!

[@duncanwallace7760]

Two legends!

[@Dr.TJ_Eckleburg]

Absolute legend. Eddie Murphy just owned the 80s. It's sad to think we have nothing that even compares today.

[@1utube01]

Yep, he owned the 80s, ... along with Tom Cruise, Michael J Fox, the brat pack, Magic Johnson, Bruce Springsteen, Bill Cosby, Madonna, Whitney Houston, Van Halen, Michael Jackson, Ozzie Smith, Joe Montana, Sylvester Stallone, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Bruce Willis, ...

[@TheSakuragihanimichi]

​@@1utube01 That's a good list.

[@gmcneoplan84]

Eddie Murphy was so organic and LOL funny in this. In regard to kiss asses or sycophants on a person's payroll Eddie was like, "You a genius. Umm, is my check ready?"

[@alanwallis1052]

The guy is simply brilliant..

[@johnnyjoey]

Eddie Murphy on David Letterman! It doesn’t get any better than this!

[@ankhor9252]

This makes me want to research Eddie and the movie business during this time period.

[@Khaos83]

Did you know he had a hit record once, called party all the time. Rick james was on the song as well, but it was very brief. If you haven't heard it check it out. It was a pretty decent song.

[@Khaos83]

I didn't realize Eddie mentioned it my fault.

[@peterdarker1]

I like that attitude

[@Theocracy8]

The ending with the blimp lol

[@richardremick1639]

I’m 52 now and I saw this in the movie theaters and Eddie Murphy is godly I grew up in Hicksville Long Island Eddie was #1 back then and still so funny 😁

[@hanskurtmann6781]

When Eddie talks normally he actually sounds like your talking with Axel .😊