Comedian Charlie Murphy passed away today after a long battle with leukemia. He was 57.
While Murphy’s younger brother, Eddie Murphy, pursued fame and fortune as a standup comedian, Charlie embarked on a crime spree that ended when he was discharged from jail and joined the Navy in 1978.
After serving 6 years in the Navy, Murphy landed minor roles in films and on television throughout the ’80s and ’90s.
He is best known for his gig on Dave Chappelle’s comedy hit Chappelle’s Show, where he recounted his experiences with icons Prince and Rick James as part of his brother’s entourage in “Charlie Murphy’s True Hollywood Stories” sketches on the show.
Murphy recalled how Prince made the best pancakes. “They were good, man. They were really good. They were actually perfect. They were as good as he played guitar.”
In response to Prince’s untimely death in 2016, Murphy released a statement through his publicist: “I’m blown away. May he rest in peace. Music has lost one of its greatest icons.”
By then, Murphy was already in the advanced stages of cancer.
Insensitive bloggers often remarked on his emaciated appearance at standup comedy shows.
All the way from the East Coast, @charliemurphy learned how we get down in #Dallas during the @ComedyGetDown! pic.twitter.com/ThTEhbX4R6
— AAC ? (@AACenter) September 28, 2015
Murphy leaves behind 2 children by his wife, Tisha Taylor Murphy, who died of cervical cancer in 2009, and his firstborn son by his first wife.
Thanks to loyal readers Javonne, Beestroh, Travis and C Wynn for the tips.
Photo by Nikki Nelson / WENN.com
