“Beverly Hills Cop” acting icon Eddie Murphy, credits late great comedians Robin Williams and John Belushi with steering him away from drugs his early career. In an appearance on The New York Times’ “The Interview” podcast, the 63-year-old actor – full stop, Eddie does NOT look 63! – recounted a night out in the 1980s with the comedy legends when he was just 19.
Here’s how Murphy recalled the moment, “It was me, [John] Belushi, and Robin Williams. They started doing coke, and I was like, ‘No, I’m cool.’” Reflecting on his decision, he said, “I wasn’t taking some moral stance. I just wasn’t interested in it. To not have the desire or the curiosity, I’d say that’s providence. God was looking over me in that moment.”
What’s refreshing to hear is as an up-and-coming comedian, Murphy avoided anything that could derail his success. “When you get famous really young, especially as a Black artist, it’s like living in a minefield. At any moment, you could step on a mine. Any moment, something could happen that can undo everything,” he explained. He admitted, “But I was oblivious to the fact that I was in a minefield.”
Murphy then went on to elaborate, “Just imagine being a young person and having the world placed at your feet. Nobody’s saying ‘no,’ and everybody wants to be around you. You try all types of s— and get caught up in all kinds of stuff. That’s what destroys people.”
If you’re unfamiliar John Belushi who was known for his iconic roles in “The Blues Brothers” and “Animal House” died of an overdose in 1982 at the age of 33, and Robin Williams who needs no reintroduction died by suicide in 2014 after battling severe depression. He was 63.
What’s interesting albeit somber, Murphy mentioned that the tragic ends of iconic entertainers like Prince, Michael Jackson, and Elvis Presley serve as cautionary tales for him. “I don’t drink. I smoked a joint for the first time when I was 30 years old. The extent of drugs is some weed,” he revealed.
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